When most students are 16, they’re thinking about what they want to be when they finish high school, and which colleges they want to attend. Aaliyah had those thoughts too, but she was also adapting to losing her vision due to complications with lupus.

Navigating high school and figuring out the future is challenging enough for any student, but it’s especially difficult when dealing with something as life-changing as vision loss.

That’s why Aaliyah turned to Cleveland Sight Center (CSC). Kristen, Aaliyah’s case manager at CSC, provided support and tools to help her navigate her future with confidence.

“People are so quick to tell you no, so it's just nice to have someone on your side that's on the same page as you and willing to fight,” she said of Kristen.

Kristen and CSC’s Clinic staff introduced her to a variety of technologies, like bioptics and magnifiers, that helped her use her remaining vision and allowed her to begin thinking about the possibilities for her future.

“It was the first time I could see stuff clearly, and even if it wasn't up close, it just was a huge change, and I started to feel better. I have all these tools and stuff to help me.”

Thanks to her new tools, Aaliyah was the first visually impaired student in her high school to complete phlebotomy and medical assisting classes!

College

Now a college student, Aaliyah is on the career path of pursuing her dream job in nursing.

First things first, she needs an accessible dorm and classrooms. Cleveland Sight Center worked with Aaliyah’s college on how to make adaptions. When CSC came to campus, they made suggestions like adding yellow tape to the edges of the stairs in her dorm for higher contrast. Now, Aaliyah can safely and confidently navigate them during fire drills.

Next up, CSC evaluated the Cleveland Clinic facility where Aaliyah works as an aid. The collaboration between these organizations assures Aaliyah they’ll find a way to make her future nursing career accessible to her and anyone else following in her footsteps. With CSC on her side, she’s learning what accommodations she needs in the workplace and in the classroom.

“This is new to me too, so a lot of times I don't have the answers,” Aaliyah explained. “It's nice to have Cleveland Sight Center on my side, because they have this experience and can recommend all these different tools and things to help.”

Building Career Confidence

Kristen checks in with Aaliyah regularly, and sometimes they discuss her doubts and hopes regarding her nursing career. Our society is built for those with sight, and it isn’t easy going against other people’s expectations and stigmas. The best advice comes from someone who has been in your situation before, so Kristen found another nurse with vision impairments Aaliyah could talk to.

“It's always reassuring to know someone did it before you, or that it's possible,” Aaliyah said. “It's more reassuring and gives you more faith in yourself. It’s nice to know that there is someone who actually did it.”

Like many teens, Aaliyah didn’t know what she was capable of. Cleveland Sight Center was able to help give her the confidence to see all of the possibilities ahead of her.

“Cleveland Sight Center definitely helped me, and gave me that confidence to keep going.” Aaliyah said.