Visions for change: Supporting a Blind Scholar's Journey

Dear friends, loved ones and strangers,

I'm reaching out for support during a challenging time in my life.

My name is Michelle Nell. I'm a blind PhD student at Stellenbosch University, trained as a classical pianist and now a disability researcher.

I was born with glaucoma which caused my blindness. 
Around 2015, my health began deteriorating further when I developed psoriatic arthritis. It was only diagnosed accurately in 2024. It was a relief to finally know why I had struggled with constant pain and exhaustion for years before. As you can imagine, however, this put strain on my finances.

In May 2023, my life took another unexpected turn.
I began losing feeling in my feet and legs so that I can no longer feel temperature or pain in them. This condition, which is called sensory neuropathy, also makes it quite difficult to keep my balance. 
Upon further investigation at the prompting of a kind physiotherapist, the suspicion arose that this might have a more serious underlying cause, for I also received the most devastating n...