Hanna’s solo backpacking trip opens up whole new world after her shock diagnosis
Staff, 2022-10-22 19:32:36,
Hanna Nijenhuis is a solo Dutch backpacker making her way around Australia on a two-month adventure of a lifetime.
Five years ago, she was like any other tertiary student at university when she went to the doctor complaining about tiredness and problem with her vision.
After an initial misdiagnosis of stress, Hanna, then 20, was told the symptoms were part of a rare genetic condition called Leber Hereditary Optical Neuropathy (LHON), a condition that would ultimately leave her with some level of permanent blindness.
Within three months, her eyesight had deteriorated rapidly.
Hanna knew of the condition as her maternal uncle had been diagnosed but didn’t think it could happen to her.
“My family thought it only affected men, not women.
“Within three months I got to the level that I am at now,” she said.
Hanna said she cannot drive, see things in detail such as people’s faces or read signs.
“Initially, I thought my life was over,” she said.
She was offered an intensive course at an organisation called Visio to adapt to her new reality.
After doing a basic course, Hanna realised that it was necessary for her to learn to new skills to adapt.
“It felt very much like high school, each hour, a different course.
“The most important ones for me were computer training and Braille,” she said.
Hanna now credits the course established…
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