“There is always one true inner voice. Trust it.” - Gloria Steinem. Tiffany confidently followed her inner voice to found Jyothirgamaya, an organization to help and empower the visually impaired. She was born without sight and has overcome all her challenges to successfully assimilate in the general community. Her empowering work is recognized widely. She has numerous achievements and recognitions including Kerala State disability Award, Rotary International For the sake of honor Award and Bold and Beautiful Award from India Doordarshan. Other than actively working on her causes she loves to participates in various adventurous sports like paragliding and skydiving.

What inspired you to start the Jyothirgamaya organization? Can you tell us more about this organization? What it takes to run such an organization?T: I had earlier started teaching the blind when I was in college, I am blind myself, and I know what it is like to be isolated and discriminated. I was from a good background and I was able to learn English, and many other languages, I was also fortunate enough to travel around the country, and broaden my horizon. I felt that my fellow blind friends also needed that exposure. I wanted to share my knowledge with them. I started as a mobile blind school, which lives by the idea that “if blind can’t go to school, school should go to them” I went to rural areas to teach blind, then I realized I wanted to do more, and expand my activities. I then decided to start the Jyothirgamaya Foundation, which I did in the year 2015, with a sole aim of empowering the blind. It takes allot of time, dedication, commitment, and passion to run such an organization, and It was a calling from within so I am doing it with all my heart.
I am raising funds from various quarters to support my initiatives, we provide mobile blind school for those who can’t come to the centre as well as fully fledged residential free training at our centre in skills necessary for independent living, proper behaviour, and suitable employment. I am also in to advocacy for the rights of persons with visual impairment, and am in process of starting an accessibility campaign, I conduct sensitizing sessions and disability awareness workshops in Kerala, India, and have even got the opportunity to conduct training programmes abroad in Nepal, Poland, Belgium, and Germany.

Can you tell us more about “'The Taffy Template'? Can this concept be applied globally?T:  The Taffy Template, is my own brain child, and the invention of an inventor called Paul Desouza. It is made of simple material, and notes are folded inside, it has various steps which denote which note it is by the length. Yes, I have seen similar templates in Europe too, with Braille numbers too.

You have received plenty of awards and recognition. Which award is closest to you heart and why?T:  Yes, in my opinion the international rotary award “The sake of honour award” which is the highest rotary award is closest to my heart. I found the givers of the award very dedicated to my cause, the inspiration I got during that meeting, is unforgettable, every ear listened to my story, and was passionate to help me, and understand my challenges. More-over I was selected from another state, and I am touched that the Rotarians of Bangalore, thought my work to be so inspiring.

What kind of challenges did you face during your school days? How did you overcome those challenges?T: During my school days, I was in a mixture of schools, my father being in the military, and the fact that we had to travel allot. While in the sighted schools, the teacher thought it to be a nightmare to have me in the class, as she did not know how to address the needs of a blind child. I faced isolation from my peers, I wasn’t allowed to run and play with them, they never took me out of the class with them, they would say,”you are blind you will fall. I would never get Braille materials on time, I would get them either before the examination, orafter the exam when it ws too late. I would be made to sit in a corner of the class and sharpen pencils of my sighted classmates. When I got up to tell an answer, they would ask me to sit down and not answer on account of being blind.
I overcame them by telling my parents enough was enough and changing my school.

Who is your favorite world leader? Which of her qualities do you wish to acquire?T:  The one who I admire is not a world leader but a late saint. Mother Teresa. The qualities I wish to follow of her are those of compassion, patience, and ceaseless dedication to help others.

what do you like to do when you are with your family/friends?T:  I love to talk to my friends, travel with them, and talk about various social related topics.

What is your favourite place to visit?T:  I have no favourite place.

What are your other hobbies?T: My other hobbies are reading fiction novels, hearing inspiring speeches/ted talks, listening to soft music, walking, and adventure activities. I have been paragliding, and sky diving, and have a adventure streak in me to try all the world has to offer.

What tips do you have for those in our community who are interested in empowering their life?T:  Yes, for such people, I would like to say, keep going don’t stop, don’t give up, make your voice heard. Empower yourself, and empower others too.

Any special message for our community?T:  The special message I would like to give, is don’t lose heart, don’t let your disability get in the way of your success, show the world you are the star.