Visually impaired children shine in Olympic-style event, championing eye donation

NT Bengaluru: In an inspiring initiative to promote eye donation, over 100 visually impaired children participated in a special Olympic-style event here recently. Organised by Sankara Eye Hospital in collaboration with United Football Club, the event aimed at raising awareness on the importance of eye donation. It had visually impaired children aged 12–18 take part in sports such as relay races, cricket, football and kabaddi. The event was inaugurated by Joint Commissioner of Police M. N. Anucheth, IPS, and Anil Aldrin, former Olympian and Indian hockey captain. Anucheth, the chief guest, expressed his gratitude for being part of the eye donation fortnight initiative, saying, "Eye donation is a noble act that can transform lives and bring light to those who can’t see.

I urge everyone to consider donating their eyes to build a culture of selflessness and giving." Aldrin said he was “honoured to participate” and shared his personal connection with the cause, stating, "As someone who has experienced the thrill of sports and the power of vision in achieving greatness, I am deeply moved to be part of this initiative." The highlight of the event was the enthusiastic participation of the visually impaired children. These activities were made possible by a special care training programme designed for visually impaired athletes. The children received support from dedicated mentors and therapists, ensuring they could safely and confidently participate in the games. "Running feels like flying when you trust your guide," said Aisha, a 10-yearold participant in the 50-metre guided sprint.

Another student, Rahul, added, "I may not see the hurdles, but I know I can jump over them with a little help." The teachers and therapists played a crucial role in preparing the children for the event. "We pair each child with a mentor who guides them through the track or field event, ensuring they have the confidence to compete," said one of the therapists involved in the programme. In addition to the physical training, tactile maps and sound cues were used to help the children understand the course layout. "We make sure the children can feel the course before they race," explained one instructor. "This allows them to navigate their way around the track using sound and touch cues," said Geeta, the coordinator of the Education Research Centre. "The visually challenged see the world with a wide vision, while people with full vision often see things with tunnel vision," said another teacher, Shwetha.

The initiative not only honoured the families of eye donors but also aimed to create awareness on the life-changing impact of eye donations. Through events like these, Sankara Eye Hospital hopes to inspire more people to pledge their eyes and support the visually impaired community.