Amera Elnaal

I will never forget the profound words my science teacher uttered when she learned about my parents' conditions: "Be cautious, for you are their eyes."

My name is Amera Elnaal, a journalist and advocate for the rights of women and the visually impaired.

My childhood was different. As the eldest child of blind parents, I often accompanied my father to his shop, helping him greet customers and count pennies. I also joined my mother on recreational trips organized by the Al Nour Association for the Blind, discovering the power of touch to convey ideas.

In 2004, during a fourth-grade science class, I explained to my teacher why my mother couldn't attend a mother's meeting: her blindness prevented her from reading notes not written in Braille. Her shocked expression stays with me to this day. Despite being accustomed to recounting my parents' conditions to others, I always felt annoyed and tired of their constant astonishment. This instilled in me a deep-seated motivation to alter societal perceptions of blindness.

Growing up, I realized the inadequate healthcare system, coupled with the scarcity and inaccessibility of essential services, had exacerbated my parents' health conditions. Despite available treatment, they went blind at an early age. The state struggled to understand and aid the visually impaired. Fueled by determination, I set out to improve conditions for blind and visually impaired individuals in Libya.

I am currently working on my first documentary, focusing on my parents' struggles. My goal is to shed light on their challenges, ensuring future generations avoid the issues they've faced. I will narrate their story through my own eyes, which I always thought was an unfair privilege for me to have.