Without focus

Let’s get acquainted first.

This is a photo taken by Tsveti, who can hardly see it due to severe myopia. Her parents, her children and her all have similar vision problems. It is hereditary and it has been present since she was a student.

This is her balcony, where there is laundry, flowerpots, and other items. This is how she sees the world.

Her diopters are so high that no one has ever heard of it, and she has even been told that new glasses cannot be made for her. The glasses she wears now have special lenses, but they cannot be cleaned or repaired. With them, she sees even less.

In addition, she has cataract, for which she has had surgery, but which still gives her problems. Glasses and surgery are very expensive, and many people with good eyesight are not bothered and do not sympathize with those who cannot see. Some people even pretend to be blind to receive benefits. In Bulgaria, attitudes towards blind people are disappointing and the urban environment is generally not adapted for the visually impaired.

Only in the Church of St. Paraskeva is the attitude towards blind people different; there, they treat Tsveti better. It is the only soup kitchen where they have treated her well.

Tsveti sometimes works and helps other blind people in Sofia. She also lives with a man who is worse off than her—he has had a stroke. She brings him food, and he complains to her. But, despite everything, he sometimes also takes care of her, if she gets very sick.

According to other people in our group, this photo reminds us of the eye of the storm—something we cannot see, but which is coming our way with climate change.

Despite the difficulties faced by different people (the deaf and the visually impaired), life goes on. There is light at the end of the tunnel.