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Interview with Preeti Monga

Having studied only till the 19th grade from the National Open School, Preeti’s educational career has been as chequered as her life.

Preeti is a dynamic woman for whom being visually impaired has not been a deterrent in taking up various challenging activities - from being the first visually impaired person in the country to have successfully completed the Aerobic Instructor’s Training Programme from Veena Merchant of U.S.A. Shapes to marketing food products, Preeti has proved that a handicap is not one until you let it become one.

You have low vision.
When did the problem first start?

The doctors were able to diagnose the problem when I was six years old. My vision started deteriorating due to optic atrophy. I had been given a small pox vaccine when I was 21 days old. The vaccine reacted adversely.

Has your unusual educational background ever been a hindrance in your career choices?

I took up a job only because of my need to earn money. My first job was as an aerobic instructor, as a fill-in for an instructor who was leaving on a vacation. I had no formal training at this point, though I had been taking classes for about six months under the same instructor. I subsequently received formal training in this.

Initially, I had some personal experience of the exercises involved, as I was overweight and followed the aerobic programs aired on television. My mother would watch the programs and describe the exercises as I carried them out. Buying video cassettes to do the exercises at my own time was out of the question as they were quite expensive – Rupees 350 each!

At this point I had an idea! I thought it would be worthwhile to conduct classes at half the cost. It was around this time that I joined Veena Merchant of U.S.A. Shapes.

Did you stay in the profession or did you carry on?

I wanted to earn better money so I switched to whatever job that offered a better salary. I have marketed food products, worked as a freelance journalist, and as an activist for women’s rights within the disability sector, among many other things. Presently I am working as a Public Relations Officer of a leading ophthalmologic hospital in New Delhi. However, I am continually on the look out for more challenging opportunities, and of course, more money!

What kind of information do you usually look for?

Earlier I had often wished I could find more information on how to dress better, matching clothes with accessories, how to conduct oneself in social gatherings. At present my needs relate more to information, for example, where I could find an audio book. I would like this information to be easily accessible either though a helpline or a counselling centre or in the print media. I find accessing the internet difficult due to the cost factor.

Is there anything you would like to do to make access to information easier?

I have communication skills and would like to use these to help others, especially young girls – teaching them how to dress, conduct themselves and even cook! I would also like to set up, or join, an existing trauma centre to help persons who have suffered from visual impairments.

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