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December 28, 2025
December 27, 2025
December 27, 2025
People often say a degree changes your life. For two Berbicians living with visual impairments, earning theirs symbolises something even greater – the belief that determination can open doors, no matter the obstacles.
Forty-three-year-old Omesh Jhagroo, who has been completely blind for the past 18 years, and Latadevi Jackmohan, a visually impaired mother, proudly walked across the stage at the University of Guyana Berbice Campus graduation on Saturday to receive their Bachelor’s degrees in Social Work, demonstrating that a disability does not close doors but can instead pave the way to achievements once thought impossible.
At the age of eight, Omesh began losing his sight due to uveitis, a journey that eventually led to complete blindness at age 25. What followed was a long, painful battle with depression, uncertainty, and a world that suddenly felt unfamiliar.
But today, he speaks with a calm pride that can only come from surviving the storm.
“I accepted my blindness, picked myself up, and moved forward in life,” he said softly, unable to hide the smile in his voice.
Omesh completed his four-year Social Work programme, first with an associate degree, then pushing forward to earn his bachelor’s. Yet the journey was far from easy. He had no crash courses or special training to navigate online learning platforms. Moodle, Zoom, assignments and exams were all challenges he had to tackle on his own. Assistive technologies like JAWS and his phone’s talkback feature became his lifelines.
“In the beginning, it was a task. But experience and God helped me. JAWS allowed me to read, write, research, and submit assignments just like everyone else.”
Today, Omesh is the proud President of the Disabled Persons Network in Region Six and a husband who helps with chores at home, challenging common assumptions about disability.
When asked if he ever imagined graduating from the University six years ago, he laughed.
“No… absolutely not. But I am very proud of myself today.”
His message to others living with disabilities: “keep moving ahead. Disability does not hinder you; it gives you more strength. There is always a way.”
And with heartfelt gratitude, he credits much of his perseverance to his wife.
Meanwhile, ten years after graduating high school, Lata Devi Jagmohan decided it was time to reach for the dream she once thought belonged to someone else.
Visually impaired and reading and writing with the aid of assistive technology, she enrolled at UG with fear in her heart but also hope.
“I had so many questions… ‘How am I going to do this?’ But the people around me saw potential that I couldn’t see in myself.”
With JAWS technology, voiceover tools and determination, Latadevi navigated every lecture, every assignment, every late-night reading session, even when some materials were incompatible with screen readers.
Her challenges were many, but her spirit was unstoppable.
“What is success without challenges? They were there, but they were overcome.”
She wants young people, especially those with disabilities, to reject the belief that opportunity belongs to others.
“Education should never be a question. Don’t limit yourself based on assumptions. Everyone has limitations, disability or not. After coming here, I realised…it’s doable. Truly doable.”
What seemed impossible became reality for these two Berbice graduates, who met every challenge head-on and claimed their place on the stage.
