Jessica Pita lost her vision when she was only 11 years old, but her outlook is to focus on what she can do rather than what she can’t do. We catch up with Jessica at one of her favourite hang-outs, George’s Bakery, to find out more about this young content creator, motivational speaker and an actual show-stopper.
One can tell right away that Jessica is going to inspire you as soon as you meet her. It is impossible to tell that she has a disability because of her inner beauty. She’s simply a bubbly person inside and out. The story of her life is one of accepting what life throws at you and making the most of it. The words from Carrie Underwood’s song ‘I’m invincible, unbreakable, unstoppable, unshakeable’ are among her favourite quotes, and this is exactly how Jessica describes herself.
Losing her sight
Jessica was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2014 and at the age of 11 lost her vision after the removal of the tumour.
‘It all started with an optometrist appointment, showcasing my abnormally swollen optic nerves as the main feature.
‘This, in turn, led to me being rushed off to an ophthalmologist. At this appointment, the spotlight was focused on the new roommate my brain was sharing its home with, a brain tumour,” Jessica says.
Doctors gave her six to 12 months chance of survival if the tumour did not get removed.
Soon Jessica underwent an 11-hour surgery which is ironic as the length of her operation represented her age.
‘My family said those 11 hours felt like forever. Nevertheless, everyone was jubilant once the surgeon came out proclaiming it had ended successfully.’
One thing the Pita’s discovered was that Jessica’s eyesight was damaged to the point of her being proclaimed blind.
‘We thought over time it would heal but no luck, it became my new normal. I got used to it pretty soon. These weeks passed in a flash although they had the greatest effect on my and my family’s lives.
‘We all tried to get back into a routine once I returned home. As I was only 11 there was still school to consider but the doctor wanted me to stay home and allow my brain to heal completely.
‘One thing he didn’t consider was that not only was I blind but I was also extremely stubborn and bored with nothing to do at home so I was able to twist his and my parents’ arms in letting me go back to school.’
With the new news that she was blind, people automatically assumed that Jessica should be going to a school for the blind.
‘My automatic thought was on the total opposite side of that spectrum. I was still able to function like all the abled-bodied people in my school, and the only thing missing was my eyesight.’
It was her determination that kept her on the path she wanted to follow. Some things, like her friends reaching milestones such as getting their first car, made her realise that it will never happen to her. It made her sad, but she always finds a way to get through and move on.
‘It has been hard. As her mother, I wish I could give her my sight, or, you know, whatever she needs just to live her life. Seeing how others have treated her broke my heart, but at the end of the day it was Jessica who helped me to move past it because nothing brings her down,’ says her mother, Paula.
Her school years
Her mother dropped everything and helped Jessica to finish primary school.
She went to school with her every day taking notes and helping Jessica.
‘She would copy everything off the boards into my books.’
For her high school career, Jessica applied for a scribe and a few concessions.
‘We then purchased desktop magnifiers called Topaz which I was able to use to read and write. I got my first formal scribe along with the extra time concession thereafter.
‘As I progressed through my school career, I realised the irony behind my life. I was in an amazingly academic school, yet the understanding of my disability was so low. As it was not necessarily seen as a disability, excuse the pun, I was accused of faking my disability.
‘I trained myself to memorise my surroundings to be able to be independently mobile. Thus, because ‘the blind girl’ was seen walking alone, I was a liar. People would tease and laugh behind my back when I had my ‘blind girl’ awkward moments.
‘I was accused of cheating because it was assumed my scribe would do my work for me instead of me doing it myself. Blindness affects the eyesight, not the hearing, so I couldn’t stop myself from hearing what people thought about me.’
Finding her niche
Moving into tertiary education though, she found that people are so much more mature and accepting which brings her the utmost joy.
‘I know that there is never going to be a moment where I don’t come into contact with someone that does not completely understand.’
Throughout her journey, she kept standing because of her strong support system. ‘My support system just made things a little easier. It was nice knowing that I still have people on my side.
‘I want to increase the number of people that are willing to accept everyone for whom they are. I want to obliterate the discriminatory treatment of people who may seem different just for being who they are.’
Flying Blind was started by Jessica to inspire people with disabilities and let them know they are not alone.
‘I’ve found some healing through being a motivational speaker and inspiring others.
‘The same respect and dignity should be accorded to them as everyone else.’
The future holds big plans for Jessica as she gets feedback from varsity and she will be studying psychology. She also wants to grow Flying Blind.
Her dream is to one day start a foundation that assists people with disabilities financially.
As Jessica points out, a disabled person has access to many things that make life easier in some way, but money is usually the biggest barrier.
Disability does not make things impossible, it just makes them harder, and if she could change the world’s perspective about people with disabilities, she would remove the stigma that they are worthless.
‘An empathy-based approach is better than a sympathy-based approach. You make the world and your life what you want it to be.’
Be sure to visit her website flyingblindsa.com and learn more about this unstoppable young woman.
Follow her on social media: Facebook @FlyingBlind, Instagram @x_flyingblind_x TikTok @x_flyingblind_x, website www.flyingblindsa.com or email [email protected]
Text: ELZAAN PIENAAR. Photo: AIREN PHOTOGRAPHY. Hair and make-up: JESSICA PITA.
