American author Cara Alwill Leyba once said, ‘Things do not always go as planned. We have to make room for imperfection in our lives. Those imperfect moments are the moments we grow the most.’
This sentiment perfectly captures the story of Senator Crystal Asige, who lost her sight to glaucoma at a time she needed it most. After undergoing over20 eye surgeries, Crystal embraced her new reality and transformed her struggle into a powerful message of hope for people living with disabilities. Among her remarkable achievements, she made history as the first-ever member of the Kenyan Parliament with a sensory disability. SONIA OKERE tells her story
Early life
Growing up in Mombasa, Kenya, Crystal’s childhood was filled with laughter, creativity, and a deep love for the arts. Her mother nurtured her talents, and urged her to shine on stage. With icons like Mariah Carey as her inspiration, Crystal’s passion for music and theatre flourished. She dreamed of captivating audiences worldwide. But life had other plans. After completing high school, she moved to Bristol, UK to study film and theatre arts. However, during her second year in school, she was diagnosed with glaucoma, which left her devastated.
How she lost her sight
It’s one thing to be born blind, but losing ones sight after experiencing the world in vivid detail is an entirely different challenge. For Crystal Asige, the slow loss of her vision was an incredibly tough, emotional journey.
she moved to UK after high school to study film and theatre arts. In her second year, she was diagnosed with glaucoma
While sharing her story on BBC, she said it all started when she was 15. She remembers the frustration of not being able to see the chalkboard from the back of the classroom. As her vision worsened, she confided in her mother, who took her to an optician in Mombasa.
Unfortunately, they couldn’t find the cause of her deteriorating eyesight. Later on, they visited an ophthalmologist, who confirmed that Crystal had glaucoma.
At first, she didn’t believe her condition would become so severe. But by the time she was 20, her eyesight had significantly worsened. A check-up brought even more heartbreaking news — her glaucoma had progressed aggressively, and doctors warned her that she could go completely blind within three years.
Recalling that experience, Crystal narrates, “I was schooling in Bristol when I was told that I would go blind. At that point, I thought about everything my parents had sacrificed for my education, and I wept so bitterly. My course was highly visual, and I wondered how I could possibly continue if I couldn’t even see. In fact, I was stressed beyond words.”
The struggle to regain her visionIn 2010, Crystal underwent her first eye surgery, but instead of relief, she fell into a deep depression. For 10 months, she struggled with suicidal thoughts and felt completely lost.
She managed to complete her education but after returning to Kenya, she found herself uncertain about her future and life’s direction. It was at that moment something extraordinary happened.
Between 2010 when she first had her first surgical intervention, Crystal has had over 20 eye surgeries
While sharing her experience she said, “One night I had a vivid dream that changed everything. I saw a bright, illuminated figure—someone I believe was God. His presence was comforting, and while I was trying to understand what was happening, I heard a voice say, ‘Be still.’ When I woke up, I realized the interpretation of the dream was from Psalm 46:10: ‘Be still, and know that I am God.’ From that moment on, I stopped worrying about my future. I knew that God was in control.”
With renewed faith and strength, Crystal applied for a work visa and returned to the UK, where her journey took a successful turn. She went on to work for the BBC and achieved even greater milestones, proving that her vision loss would never hold her back from realizing her potential.
Becoming an advocate
Crystal Asige has emerged as a leading advocate for accessibility and equitable mobility for people with disabilities, not just in Kenya but around the world. Her work gained significant recognition in 2022 when she was nominated to the Senate by the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), representing persons with disabilities.
she was nominated to the Kenyan Senate in 2020 by the Orange Democratic Movement, representing persons with disabilities
Crystal made history as the first-ever member of the Kenyan Parliament with a sensory disability. Since then, she has been at the forefront of legislative efforts, advocating for meaningful change that benefits persons with disabilities. In 2023 alone, she played a key role in passing landmark bills like the Persons with Disabilities Bill, the Kenyan Sign Language Bill, and the Startup Bill.
Awards and accomplishments
Beyond her political contributions, Crystal is also a passionate musician, and public speaker. Her work in both politics and activism has earned her numerous accolades, including being named one of Kenya’s Top 40 Under 40 and receiving the Kotex She Can Award.
In late 2022, she delivered a keynote address at the One Young World Summit in Manchester, England, where youth leaders from over 190 countries gathered to exchange ideas for building a more just and sustainable future. In her speech, Crystal emphasized the intersection between accessibility and the challenges faced by women and girls, particularly in urban environments.
In 2023 alone, she played a key role in passing landmark bills like the Persons with Disabilities Bill, the Kenyan Sign Language Bill, and the Startup Bill
Crystal Asige’s achievements reflect her unwavering commitment to disability rights and public service. Whether through her legislative work or her creative pursuits, she continues to break barriers and inspire others.
