The Vision of a Blind Woman

Amani makes coffee in her home in Beach Camp, Gaza. (Photo: Sami Abu Salem)
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GAZA, March, 7, 2005, (WAFA) - Amani Al-Hissi, a 25-year-old Palestinian blind woman from the poor refugee camp of Al-Shati ("The Beach") in Gaza, studies Arabic literature, plays music, works as a radio presenter and depends on "help your self" as her strategy for managing the details of her own life.

Ms. Al-Hissi, was shot by an Israeli soldier while she was six years old. One week after the shooting, she lost sight in one eye. Four years later, she completely lost her eyesight.

Two hundred meters from the Gaza shore, in the alleys of the camp, Ms. Al-Hissi hosted us in her two-room house.

With black sunglasses, she was confidently moving between the rooms and the kitchen as if she suffered no problem in her sight. She began talking to us about her distinguished success at university. "Now I am studying literature at the Islamic University (of Gaza) and compete with my colleagues, I have 98% accumulative average," she said, smiling.

"Actually I like literature and arts, I work at (the local) Voice of Youth radio station as programme presenter. I present Birds at the Window, a weekly programme which deals with creative writing and arts for youth.

"I think my wound has a role in increasing my horizon of imagination and the talent of writing. I mean that the point of despair was turned into the point of hope and creativity."

Read More (with more pictures)
http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article3665.shtml