How to find your purpose and rise as an impactful leader?

Summary

Senator Crystal AIG shares her powerful journey of overcoming visual impairment and societal prejudice. Diagnosed with aggressive glaucoma, she faced a gradual loss of sight, but chose resilience over resignation. Using her platform, she advocates for people with disabilities, breaking societal barriers through legislation aimed at inclusion and equality. A fervent believer in collaboration, she encourages others to see beyond appearances, embrace their full potential, and work towards a more inclusive world. Her mantra, 'I have glaucoma, but glaucoma does not have me,' inspires others to rise above adversity and challenge the stereotypes that often define marginalized groups.

Takeaways

• 😀 Crystal AIG is a Black African woman and visually impaired person, who navigates her life with resilience despite significant challenges.
• 😀 She began losing her eyesight in high school, and by 2010, underwent major surgery to address glaucoma, which led to further vision loss.
• 😀 Crystal’s glaucoma was more aggressive because of her African heritage, and doctors initially predicted she would be blind by 25.
• 😀 Over the years, Crystal underwent over 20 procedures in attempts to regain her lost vision, but instead learned to adapt and thrive with her impairment.
• 😀 She faced societal discrimination, particularly in Mombasa, Kenya, where people with disabilities are often marginalized and overlooked.
• 😀 Crystal is a passionate advocate for the underdogs, the overlooked, and the underestimated, believing in giving a voice to those who are ignored.
• 😀 Her life philosophy is that if you can't change a circumstance, you can change the way you view it, which shaped her personal and professional journey.
• 😀 Crystal believes there is a key difference between visual impairment and disability, emphasizing that disability is not a limitation but a source of strength and resilience.
• 😀 She was invited by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs to attend a summit where she learned that she was elected to Kenya’s 13th parliament as a senator.
• 😀 Since her election, she has been using her platform to champion the rights of people with disabilities, youth, and women, pushing for inclusivity and equity.
• 😀 Crystal's mantra, 'I have glaucoma, but glaucoma does not have me,' is a powerful expression of her resilience and defiance against the limitations imposed by her condition.

Q & A

What was the initial diagnosis that Senator Crystal AIG received regarding her vision?

Senator AIG was diagnosed with glaucoma, a condition that causes gradual vision loss. She was told her condition was more aggressive in Black Africans, and that she would likely be blind by the age of 25.

How did Senator AIG describe the impact of her visual impairment on her teenage years?

Senator AIG explained that as her friends were discovering their future ambitions, she was thrust into a world of darkness, grappling with the heavy burden of visual impairment. This isolation was compounded by her lack of understanding of the condition.

What was the key turning point for Senator AIG in dealing with her disability?

The key turning point was when Senator AIG chose to change the way she looked at her circumstances. Instead of giving up, she decided to accept her situation and commit to what could be, embracing resilience and determination.

What does Senator AIG mean by the phrase 'If all you see is what you see, then you don't see all there is to be seen'?

This phrase encapsulates the idea that focusing solely on visible limitations leads to a narrow view of reality. Senator AIG encourages people to expand their perspective beyond what is immediately visible and to embrace resilience and possibilities.

What lessons has Senator AIG learned through her journey with visual impairment and her advocacy work?

Senator AIG learned that disability does not discriminate, and that it can be a catalyst for unparalleled strength, adaptability, and resilience. She also emphasizes the importance of reframing challenges to see opportunities for growth and change.

What specific laws and initiatives is Senator AIG working on to promote inclusivity in Kenya?

Senator AIG is sponsoring several laws, including the PWD Bill, the Kenya Sign Language Bill, the Learners with Disabilities Bill, the Startup Bill, and public participation and transportation law amendments aimed at creating a more inclusive and accessible society.

How does Senator AIG use her platform to support marginalized groups?

Through her political career and the Crystal ASE Foundation, Senator AIG advocates for persons with disabilities (PWDs), youth, and women, focusing on breaking down barriers in infrastructure, systems, society, and culture to create more opportunities for these groups.

What is the significance of Senator AIG's inclusion in the 13th Parliament of Kenya?

Senator AIG's inclusion in the 13th Parliament of Kenya is a significant achievement, as she became one of the youngest parliamentarians and a top-performing female senator, using her position to amplify the voices of marginalized groups, especially those with disabilities.

What role does confidence play in Senator AIG's approach to her work and life?

Confidence is crucial to Senator AIG's approach, as she views it as transformative. She emphasizes that confidence, combined with hard work and good timing, has enabled her to achieve significant milestones, such as her political success and advocacy work.

What is Senator AIG's message to people who might be struggling with their own challenges?

Senator AIG urges people to embrace their challenges as opportunities for growth. She advises them to be authentic, embrace all aspects of themselves, and not to hide, as true progress comes from collaboration and inclusivity.