“Your Visual Impairment Is Part of Your Story — But It Doesn’t Have to Be the End”: Meet Karla Roussouw

In honour of Youth Month, the Retinal Realities podcast sat down with Karla Roussouw — a 24-year-old marketing professional, law student, runner, surfer, and horse rider — who is living with Leber’s Congenital Amaurosis (LCA). What followed was one of the most honest, warm, and inspiring conversations the series has featured to date.

A special thank you to Roche Products for their generous contribution towards education, which made this episode possible.

A Journey That Started Early

Karla’s visual difficulties were noticeable from a young age. After a series of tests and an initial suspicion of retinitis pigmentosa, she was referred to Tygerberg Hospital, where she received her diagnosis of Leber’s Congenital Amaurosis.

Her school years, she says, were among the hardest. Attending mainstream schools brought real challenges: difficulty seeing the board, struggling to keep pace with exams, and the physical toll of sitting so close to her books — resulting in persistent back, neck, and shoulder pain.

But perhaps the greatest challenge was an emotional one. “The thing I struggled with the most was asking for help,” Karla admits. “I never really wanted to stand out.”

The Power of a Strong Advocate

Behind every resilient young person is often someone who refused to give up on them. For karla, that person was her mother.

“My mom was my biggest advocate. She was almost like my lawyer before I started studying law,” Karla says with a laugh. Her mother researched assistive devices, ensured teachers understood Karla’s needs, and kept up with annual eye examinations — but more than anything, she made sure Karla never felt limited by her visual impairment.

“She always believed in me. I couldn’t have done it without her.”

Embracing Assistive Technology

Today, Karla uses a range of assistive tools that help her navigate both work and daily life:

• A video magnifier (similar to a tablet) with adjustable font size, backlight, and colour settings – particularly useful for light sensitivity.
• Dark mode on her computer and laptop
• An enlarged monitor to reduce eye strain
• A laptop magnifier
• Support from people around her to navigate unfamiliar spaces

She is also in the process of applying for a guide dog – something she says she’s very excited about

As she’s grown older, Karla says she’s increasingly leaned into what’s available to support her. “The world is becoming more accessible to you as you get older, and you need to navigate more spaces. It’s important to look into different assistive devices — whether it’s cane training or a guide dog — to make life a bit easier for yourself.”

Active, Ambitious, and Refusing to Be Defined

Running, surfing, horse riding — Karla’s life outside of work and study is anything but limited. She credits supportive coaches and trainers who have adapted their methods to accommodate her, but she’s candid about the gaps that still exist.

“Commercial gyms aren’t very accessible. I struggle to navigate spaces in poor lighting, and I also struggle with contrast. If gym equipment is a similar colour to the floor, it can be very difficult to find my way safely.”

She also raises a point many in the disability community know all too well — the challenges of entering the workplace. “People have a tendency to look at the disability before they see the person. They don’t always understand what someone with a visual impairment is capable of.”

A Message for Young People with Low Vision

When asked what she would say to young people navigating life with low vision, Karla’s answer was both clear and deeply considered.

“Don’t let other people’s understanding become the understanding that you have of yourself.”

She acknowledges that many people place limits on those with disabilities — not out of malice, but out of ignorance. And that, she believes, is exactly why advocacy and education matter so much.

“It’s our responsibility as people with low vision to educate people and create awareness, because that will also change the perception.”

Karla also reflects on the unexpected gifts her journey has brought: greater compassion, resilience, and adaptability. Her final message to young people is one of self-acceptance:

“Never wish to be someone else. The goal is not to be a person who is not visually impaired — the goal is to be the best version of yourself. Your visual impairment is part of your story, but it doesn’t have to be the end of your story.”

Looking Ahead: A Voice on the Management Committee

Karla has recently been nominated to join the Management Committee of Retina South Africa — a role she is stepping into with purpose and passion.

“My dream is to be a voice for others. You don’t wake up with a disability and know exactly what assistive devices to use, or what your life is going to look like as an adult with a visual impairment. I’ve learned quite a few things along the way, and I want to help people.”

She is particularly driven to address the gaps she has personally experienced — from accessibility in gyms to workplace accommodations — and to be a visible, relatable spokesperson for the low vision community.

Listen to the Full Episode

You can find this episode on our YouTube Channel and all previous Retinal Realities podcasts at www.retinasa.org.za under the Learn tab.

Subscribe to the series to stay connected with stories, insights, and resources from the Retina South Africa community.at 

Low vision, low and proud.