- Massachusetts Commission for the Blind
When she was 16 years old, Priscilla Ngome experienced severe trauma when she was hit by a fellow student at her boarding school in Africa. She lost her vision entirely and was hospitalized for a month. She has slowly regained some sight in her right eye over time.
“When I was little, I couldn’t see at all and it was just dark,” says Priscilla. “It was scary because my Mom had to help me do everything, even just walking around the house, and I didn’t know what to expect for my future as I thought my dreams were forever changed.”
Then, one day, Priscilla recognized her father when he walked into the room. She couldn’t believe it, and her mother started crying. Some of Priscilla’s vision had returned. Things started to get clearer for Priscilla, and she could tell the difference between day and night again, something she had missed previously.
“I try to put that dark time behind me and try not to dwell on it because of who I am and what I’m able to accomplish for myself,” says Priscilla. “People don’t even know that I’ve been through all of that sometimes, but it fueled a fire in me and now I’m able to do more.”
Today, Priscilla is a thriving wife and multilingual mother of three beautiful children. Priscilla moved to the United States in 1993 to continue her education, be with family, and find successful employment. She credits her parents and her faith for continuing to push her forward to pursue her dreams of higher education.
“It’s all about what’s inside and having faith in yourself to find the motivation to keep going,” says Priscilla. “I help others see their opportunities. Blindness is not the end. It’s an opportunity to expose yourself to other things.”
Priscilla is one of seven children, and five of them, including Priscilla, have achieved their master’s degrees. Priscilla states that education was very important in her home and her father always told them that “Education is your birth right.” Initially, Priscilla considered a career in nursing and occupational therapy, but she knew her vision might impact her work with patients and her ability to get to appointments since she cannot drive. Priscilla decided to pursue her Master of Counseling Psychology degree from Cambridge College instead and doesn’t regret the decision. After that, she found work at Massachusetts Commission for the Blind (MCB).
“I worked for 14 years as a Rehabilitation Teacher, and I’ve worked with children and adults,” says Priscilla. “People are so appreciative, and they all want to know that they still have living to do and that they can tap into their abilities in new ways. Some aren’t thinking forward after a diagnosis. Culture, personality, and family really factor into their ability to overcome.”
As a Rehabilitation Teacher, Priscilla created two adult low vision support groups in Lawrence and North Andover. Priscilla also created the FIST (Fundamental Independent Skills Training) program as a student at an Aspiring Supervisor Training course. She took FIST on the road to two towns in Region 3 which includes northeastern cities in MA.
“Priscilla has a unique way of motivating her clients and providing high quality service,” says Kara Sittig, Priscilla’s Supervisor and MCB Director of Children’s Services in Region 3.
Recently, Priscilla assumed a new role at MCB as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC). As a VRC, Priscilla has an employment goal for each person she serves, and she wants to help them find employment or get into school. She typically spends three days in the field seeing between three to five consumers per day, and she spends another two days in the office. Priscilla is also a representative for MCB with agency and community partners.
"Priscilla has mastered the skill of empowering consumers to stimulate their minds with self-determination, motivation and inner-strength," says Thelma Williams, Northeast Regional Director at MCB.
As a VRC, Priscilla has collaborated with Region 3 consumers to create a low vision support group for her VR clients in the Lawrence area. Priscilla has also renewed MCB’s relationships with the MassHire Career Centers of Lowell and Lawrence. Priscilla has partnered with the Adult Learning Center of Lawrence to provide ESL classes to a group of Spanish speaking consumers who have degrees but have limited employment options because they do not speak English.
“I want to help break down the barriers that exist for our consumers,” explains Priscilla who loves receiving good news and updates from consumers and shares many stories of success. “I’m really trying to individualize outcomes and not fit everyone in one big pot. When our consumers achieve milestones, I feel like I win too!”
