Restored Sight, Renewed Life: Gifty’s Story in Her Own Words

Ghanaian photographer and storyteller Francis Kokokoro shares the story of Gifty, a mother and trader who recently received free care at a Cure Blindness Project supported outreach at Cape Coast Teaching Hospital. This is her story, in her words:

“My eldest daughter brought me to the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital to participate in this outreach. My youngest child, 12, lives with me, and she helps with the chores around the house.

Before I developed these eye problems, I travelled to the capital, Accra, to shop for footwear to resell in the village.

It was good business and all I had done my entire adult life. I stopped working when my sight deteriorated about four years ago. Fortunately, my older children do their best to send some money home for our upkeep. Living with my 12-year-old daughter has made life much more bearable these past few years. It also helps that my eldest child lives with her family in a nearby village. I am able to cook, but sometimes I mix up some ingredients; my daughter doesn’t spare me the laughter.

The issues I had with my sight were dimness and blurriness. Even if you stood before me, I could barely recognise your facial features. I can see a form, but it is difficult to determine who is before me. I stumbled once too often getting around the house. My eyes didn’t hurt but were most often teary. Last year was very difficult for me as my sight further deteriorated. I worried a lot and had sleepless nights. Sometimes, I just preferred to stay indoors and cry.

I needed medical help, but I was constrained financially. I bought and applied local creams that had been touted to cure eye problems but gained no real results. It was deeply troubling. Thankfully, my eldest daughter’s friend, a nurse, came to my aid, connecting me with some health clinics where I could be properly screened. She also notified us about this free outreach and made sure we signed up.

I consider this medical intervention timely. The nurses here made sure we were screened again to determine the exact issues. They prepared us for surgery, which was quick and without complications. When I was taken into the surgical theatre, the foreign surgeon (Dr Geoff Tabin) operated on my eye and placed a patch over the treated eye.

After the surgery, I was not sure if my sight had improved until the patch was removed this morning. I have yet to heal fully, but the improvement in my vision is significant. As the healing begins, I have been advised to avoid lifting heavy objects and engaging in lengthy conversations. I will also wear sunglasses when I go outside during the day.

My heart is filled with joy, and I cannot wait to get home and hum away praise songs to God. It is a great testimony leaving here with my sight restored. Now I can get on with my life and am looking forward to restarting my business.”