Jewel Shuping, a woman with Body Integrity Identity Disorder (BIID), underwent a drastic procedure to fulfill her lifelong desire of becoming blind. BIID is a psychological condition where individuals feel they should be disabled, despite being physically healthy.
Since childhood, Jewel believed she was meant to be blind and even attempted to harm her eyes by staring at the sun for extended periods. As she grew older, she embraced her blind identity by wearing sunglasses, using a white cane, and learning Braille.
In 2006, Jewel, then 30, found a psychologist willing to help her go blind. The psychologist poured drain cleaner into her eyes, causing excruciating pain and irreversible damage. Despite the agony, Jewel felt a sense of fulfillment as her sight diminished over six months.
The decision to intentionally lose her sight strained Jewel’s relationships with family members, leading to some cutting ties with her. Nonetheless, she expressed contentment with her choice, stating she felt it was her true identity.
Jewel now aims to raise awareness about BIID and advises others with the disorder to seek professional help rather than resorting to risky methods like hers. She emphasized the dangers associated with extreme actions taken by BIID sufferers and the importance of receiving proper support.
For those affected by similar issues, seeking guidance from a GP is recommended. If you have a related story to share, feel free to email julia.banim@reachplc.com.