Did Guo Jingjing Risk Her Sight for Olympic Gold?
Guo Jingjing
I’m probably a little late on this issue, but I was surprised to hear that Chinese diver Guo Jingjing had symptoms of detached retinas in both eyes (due to the impact of repeatly diving). I was shocked to also hear that this was the second time she had done this.
As somebody who has detached their retina before, one of the things that I have always been told is to avoid sports. Therefore I am really surprised that Chinese diving officials — and doctors — allowed her to continue after detaching her retina the first time.Was the Chinese government after a gold so badly that they were willing to possibly blind their athletes for life? I sure hope not.
I’m also a bit surprised that Guo Jingjing wanted to keep diving. I’m sure she was driven by the desire to succeed in front of the home crowd and wanting to gain another gold medal, but risk your vision even for that? I sure wouldn’t want to do it. It would mean the more than just the end of a person’s career, one would have very few opportunities here. I don’t see blind people working in offices or really doing anything but begging on the street. Now I don’t know any famous Chinese blind people so maybe things are different with them, but something tells me they aren’t.
And if Guo wanted a seeing-eye dog here she might get one but I don’t think she’d be able to take it anywhere. Seeing-eye dogs here are treated the same as pets and are not allowed on buses or public transport. I used to see a man training with one on my way to work everyday during the Olympics, he was so proud of the progress he and dog made everyday when they walked along Nanjing Xi Lu — and they should be — I hope China is making progress to recognize his rights to have his dog assist him in everyday life too.
As for Guo Jingjing I hope she is really thinking things over during this resting period and will really weigh the pros and cons of continuing with her diving career vs. losing her sight. Just a word of advise from someone who has been in her situation. Go for the sight! You’ll feel better later.
On another note, I am currently recovering from some emergency laser surgery on my left eye to mend some holes in my retina. Hopefully I’ll be back to full steam after the National Day holidays.
J.
