Losing Sight

Is it really worse to grow blind after seeing the world than to be born blind?

I have a childhood friend who was born with a genetic disease that causes her to progressively grow blind. In the beginning, everything seemed pretty normal but bit by bit her vision became blurred and soon she had to sit in the front of the class. It really affected her studies, her family and her life but I was too young back then to fully comprehend her situation.

She used to live in the block of flats opposite mine but her family eventually moved and I had not seen her since. Then some time not too long ago, I saw someone that looked very much like her. Apparently she had gone completely blind and was making ends meet by singing in the streets.

I remember our childhood days when she was always so active, and her cheerfulness was so infectious that it really rubs onto you. It is really like her to be so positive about life despite her difficulties and be doing something she likes - sing. I really admire her strength in her spirit to go about life so bravely.

Recently, another friend revealed to me that he just found out he suffered from keratoconus, a genetic eye condition in which the cornea thins and changes shape to be more like a cone than a parabola. Vision becomes progressively distorted and my friend is distraught to know that he would become eventually be blind. It is agonizing to have already seen the world and know that this world would slowly fade into darkness.

Every time I think of my friends, my problems don't seem to matter too much and I'm inspired to take on more of life's challenges. Sometimes we complain so much about life that we lose sight and take for granted of the things we already have.