Young Mosul journalist overcomes loss of vision to shine in media industry

NINEVEH– Noor Hammadi, a 24-year-old journalist from Mosul, has overcome adversity to work in local media, despite losing her vision due to optic nerve damage during the city’s period under brutal Islamic State rule.

“My story began in 2015 when my health started deteriorating, and fluid began pressing on the optic nerve, causing nerve damage and loss of vision,” Hammadi told 964media.

Medical resources available in 2014 during the reign of ISIS were insufficient to receive proper treatment, and she couldn’t leave Mosul to seek medical care due to restrictions put by the terror group.

On Oct. 21, 2015, Hammadi underwent a failed surgery, after which she lost 90% of her vision, leaving only 10%, which allowed her to sense light and objects.

By 2019, she had lost her vision completely.

“During the Mosul catastrophe, the radio was my only means of entertainment in the absence of other resources. I didn’t own a screen reader device for the visually impaired, and that’s where my passion for media began,” she added.

Undeterred by her condition, Hammadi graduated from high school with an impressive 82% average, relying on audio recordings and assistance from her family. “My mother would read my study materials out loud, and I would record her voice,” she said.

Hammadi went on to excel at Mosul University, graduating in July 2024 with top honors in the media department. Reflecting on her time at university, she said: “The biggest obstacle was adapting to a system designed for sighted students. But I used technology like screen readers and turned written content into audio material, which helped me succeed.”

Now teaching presentation skills at Al-Noor University, Hammadi is also a radio host. She aspires for a transition to television broadcasting and pursuing higher education. “I dream of earning a master’s and doctorate degree,” she said.