-WEEKLY NEWS ep.2-

My immediate thoughts when I saw this article were what anyone would expect. However, after reading the article I became more understanding. 

In the article it is established that this woman has a mental disorder called BIID, which stands for Body Integrity Identity Disorder. This is when someones idea of how they should be does not match their physical form. In this case, Jewel, the woman who the report is about, always had been unsatisfied with the fact she could see. She always felt uncomfortable and had the mindset that she should be blind. This is probably strange to most of us, however, pyschologists have managed to have full understanding of Jewel's situation. 

The 30 year old woman had such a strong desire to be blind that she got a 'sympathetic psycologist' to pour drain cleaner in her eyes. Following this event, which Jewel stated to be extremely painful, she was rushed to hospital, agaisnt her wishes, where doctors strived to save her vision. To Jewel's joy, there was nothing that could be done to save her eyes, which were stated as permanantly damaged. 

Although Jewel's eyes were permanantly damaged, it took 6 months for her to go completely blind. Ms Shuping told an interviewer how every morning she would wake up hopeful but be enraged when she opened her eyes and could still see. Overtime, Jewel started realising the damage was taking effect. She was elaborated the day she woke up and could not see anything. 

However, not all was so good for Jewel Shuping. She had told her family that she had lost her sight accidentally, but they soon learned the truth and disowned her. Although she has lost her family, Jewel has had full support from her husband who is registered legally blind, through natural causes. 

The news headline was very eye catching and is likely to provoke someone to read the full article. The headline could be percieved as misleading due to the fact it did not state that the woman has a mental disorder. This is done on purpose because if it did state the fact she suffered of BIID in the title, readers wouldn't be as shocked or amazed by the event, therefore decreasing the amount of views.

I can bring myself to comprehend why Jewel done what she did and understand her statement of "This is not a choice, it's a need based on a disorder of the brain." I do not think she should be judged too harshly for her actions because I think you cannot fully know what someone is going through untill you live in their shoes, but I do understand why some people would see what she done as outrageous. I'm sure there are plenty of people who think she is ungrateful for the blessing she had of sight, and I undrstand this, however, similarly to my previous point, I think unless you suffer with BIID, you cannot judge her or feel her pain.