What made you decide to become a volunteer?
I myself lost an eye in a fireworks accident. It was a life-changing and emotional experience that transformed my life. During that time, I had a lot of questions and felt uncertain. That’s exactly why I now want to be there for others going through the same thing. I want to let others know that they’re not alone and that it’s possible to regain confidence and self-assurance in the future after losing an eye. Volunteering also gives me a sense of fulfillment. It feels good to draw something positive from a difficult experience and to be able to share my story and use it to help others.
What exactly happened?
On New Year’s Eve 2014–2015, a firework got into my eye. I was just a bystander and wasn’t setting off any fireworks myself, because I’m not into that sort of thing. I was standing a good distance away, so I wasn’t wearing fireworks goggles. At that moment, I was looking at my phone, and suddenly I couldn’t see a thing. It soon became clear that a firework had gotten into my eye.
At the hospital, it became clear that my eye could not be saved and would have to be removed. When I came out of anesthesia, the doctor told me that my eyeball had ruptured all the way around, my eyelids were damaged, and my eye socket was fractured. According to the doctor, these injuries could not have been caused by legal fireworks.
How has the accident affected your life?
Physically, I had to recover from the injury and get used to seeing with one eye. My vision and depth perception have changed, making some everyday tasks more difficult. I also had to get used to how I look with a prosthetic eye. The emotional and mental consequences were perhaps even greater. The accident happened while I was just standing on the street, as a bystander. I didn’t do anything wrong, and yet my life changed in a matter of seconds. It made me distrustful, especially of fireworks and people who handle them carelessly.
This experience has changed me. I now view risks and safety differently, and I realize how important it is to be heard. At the same time, it has motivated me to become a volunteer. I do want to be there for others, in a way that I myself missed out on. By sharing my story and supporting others, I can turn a difficult experience into something positive. That gives me strength and a sense of fulfillment.
Do you have a message for the readers?
If you’ve lost an eye or gone through a traumatic experience, know that you’re not alone. It’s natural to feel sad or insecure at times. It’s okay to feel that way—take the time to adjust. Try to seek help and talk to people who understand what you’re going through. It really helps to share your story. It’s often easier when you’re not alone.
And to everyone handling fireworks: please be careful. Fireworks can be dangerous, even if you think they’re no big deal. With a little extra caution, you can prevent a lot of trouble.
