Eye problems did not deter Sanjay Sharma from becoming a doctor
Having trained as an anaesthetist, Dr Sharma, who has now completely lost his vision, teaches physiotherapy at Blind People’s Association, Ahmedabad
Aruna Raghuram
Determination has been the core of Dr Sanjay Sharma’s life. Afflicted with an eye problem at the young age of 10 years, he was adamant that he would become a doctor. Family, friends and ophthalmologists tried to dissuade him, telling him that the strain on his eyes from all the studying required would put his eyesight at risk. But Dr Sharma was not deterred.
When Dr Sharma was 10 years old, he developed a fever and was given tablets by the doctor. In a reaction to the tablets, he had ulcers all over his body, including his eyes. His eyes became red and painful though his vision was normal. Doctors did not know how to treat dry eye issues at that time and there were no artificial tears available in the country.
“My father was a primary school teacher and we are eight siblings. My father could not afford to take me to other doctors for a consultation or treatment. I studied in a government school in a small town in Madhya Pradesh. I was a serious student and when I got a supplementary in the class 11 exam, I was very upset. The reason was that I had been unable to study for long hours because of pain and irritation in the eyes,” relates Dr Sharma, now 63 years old.
Firm resolve
He cleared the supplementary exam and decided that he wanted to become a doctor to find a solution for his own eye health issue. Discovering that his eyes were least problematic between 4 to 7 am, he would get up early to study for the Pre-Medical Test (PMT). “We did not have money to buy pre-medical books. I borrowed books from teachers and other students and started studying. My name was in the waiting list. Finally, I got admission in G R Medical College, Gwalior, in 1977,” says Dr Sharma.
He studied for four years without failing in any paper. In final year, he had blinking and severe pain in the eyes. The doctor diagnosed corneal abrasion. “He asked me to completely rest my eyes and said I could not give the fifth-year exam. If the abrasion became an ulcer it will lead to corneal opacity, he warned. But I did not heed his words. My senior helped me by reading out from textbooks. For two hours, I used my eyes during the exams,” he narrates.
Mission possible
He passed the MBBS exams. His next mission was to do a post-graduation. He got admission in the same college and took up anaesthesia as his specialty. “I did not take surgery as there is delicate work involved which my eye issue might have compromised. Irritation in the eyes continued. But when I was doing PG, a medicine came in the market that moistened the eyes and gave me relief,” says Dr Sharma.
After working in Delhi for a while, Dr Sharma got married to Asha, a scientist in ISRO, and moved to Ahmedabad. He worked as an anaesthetist in various hospitals in the city from 1998 to 2005. He enjoyed his work a great deal.
In 2005, he suffered a major setback. “I lost my eyesight. Having strained my eyes, I developed corneal abrasion and resultant opacity. I had a stem cell transplant which helped me for a few years. My vision was restored. But the problem recurred. I developed opacity in both eyes again. Corneal transplant was not possible in my case. This time nothing could be done,” he says.
Dr Sharma’s life was plunged in darkness and depression. He was home for two years. His daughter was eight years old and his son, four. His little son would want his father to play with him but Dr Sharma could not do anything. He had completely lost his vision. “It was a period of physical, mental, economic and social struggle for me and the family. I had to change the school of my children because of financial constraints. My children were unhappy about this. My daughter would cry in school thinking of my plight. I even wished that I had been blind since birth. That way, I would not have had so many expectations from myself and life,” he relates.
Ray of hope
Then he came to know from his wife’s friend about Blind People’s Association (BPA), Ahmedabad, one of the largest NGOs in India working for the entire continuum of services for all categories of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs).
He met Dr Bhushan Punani, general secretary of BPA, in 2008. “As soon as my wife and I entered the room, Dr Punani stood up and shook my hand. He said it was out of respect for me as I was a doctor. His attitude gave me a lot of confidence.”
Dr Sharma started going to BPA regularly. First, he learnt how to use computers. Then he met the head of the physiotherapy department who encouraged him to teach students of physiotherapy. Using a software that converted text into speech, he would listen to the lessons three to four times. And, then teach students physiology and medicine. He has been appreciated by many people for his teaching skills.
Today, Dr Sharma lives very close to the BPA premises. Students come and help him to get to the classroom as he has mobility issues. He takes a course in preventive and social medicine. He enjoys teaching and has even learnt Gujarati to deliver lessons in the local language.
Second life
“BPA gave me a second life. I came out of depression. My life completely changed the day I got associated with BPA. I learnt to do housework. I started turning on the gas, boiling milk, making tea, giving lunch to my children when they came from school. I would make hot rice and dal for them. I started taking their studies. I gave my children a great deal of time and affection. Both my children are in the medical field. My daughter Prachi is doing her MS in OBG (Obstetrics & Gynaecology). My son Nishant has just completed MBBS.”
“My wife and children are my eyes. Today, I tell myself that I may not have eyes, but I have a brain. I cannot see the faces of my children, but I know how much they care for me.” Dr Sharma says with a smile.
