Despite losing her vision completely during her second year at St Joseph’s Teachers’ College, Sasha Thorpe has defied the odds to achieve her goal of becoming an educator.

Thorpe lost her sight due to glaucoma, an eye condition that damages the optic nerve and can lead to blindness if left untreated.

“I am fully blind in both eyes,” she told Observer Online. “I was born with an eye problem, and by the time I was 22 years old, during my second year in teachers’ college, I completely lost my vision,”

In spite of her disability, Thorpe refused to give up and instead pushed herself even harder to complete her studies.

“I just said to myself that I have to work harder. I couldn’t give up. I knew that I would lose my vision eventually over a period of time, but when it happened, I told myself that I have to work harder to accomplish my goal. I’m not giving up, I can’t give up. I never really felt stressed or depressed; I just adjusted very quickly,” she said.

After completing her diploma at St Joseph’s Teachers’ College, Thorpe went on to pursue a bachelor’s degree in primary education at Mico University College before beginning her professional journey.

“My first job was at the School for the Blind for two years and six months, and after I left there, I went into the regular school system,” she said.

Civics teacher Sasha Thorpe, who lost her vision from the age of 22-year-old

The now 39-years-old civics teacher said her passion for education developed from an early age, influenced by the care and encouragement she received from one of her teachers.

“I went into teaching because of what I went through in primary school and how my teacher used to treat me so kindly,” Thorpe explained.

“You have teachers who ensure that you learn even if you are visually impaired. In the regular system, it’s the same thing,” she continued. “You have students who need a little love, somebody to be there for them, somebody to motivate them. What I received, I now give back to them.”

Currently teaching at a primary school in the Corporate Area, Thorpe said her classes are fun and highly interactive despite her being blind, though she relies heavily on her listening skills.

“I have to listen more, be more alert and pay close attention to the students. I have to listen to what they are saying and to my environment,” she said.

“Civics allows them to learn about their culture and understand both local and international issues. It is a very interesting subject. It is fun, my lessons are fun. We play a lot of games, so the students always look forward to coming to class. It’s very interactive,” she added.

With more than a decade in the education system, Thorpe said her students continue to inspire her daily.

“As teachers, we can speak life into children. When I was at the School for the Blind, I had a teacher named Mrs Christian that woman spoke life into me. That’s why I am here today,” Thorpe said. “I love the children. Sometimes you are having a bad day, and they will say something small that makes you smile and feel special. I really love my students.”

Thorpe is also currently working on her first book, which she hopes to release in June.

“Hopefully, it will be finished by June so I can launch it. It is about living without sight but still having a vision,” she shared.