Kevanna Sebastian, vision problems don't
stop her from playing volleyball
Managua, Nicaragua, September 12, 2023 - Kevanna
Sebastian, a player from Belize, has become an internet sensation due to
her use of sunglasses during the XXII AFECAVOL Women's Central American
Volleyball Cup in Nicaragua.
Born in 1998 (25 years old), has already played more than
40 matches with the Belize national team, but it's during this
competition that she has attracted attention for a particular accessory
she uses while playing.
It's her eye-catching sunglasses that she wears due to a
vision problem, making the Belizean middle blocker the talk of
volleyball forums and even on Volleyball World social media.
"I have a curve in my right eye. My left eye is stronger.
My eyes are very sensitive to bright lights; they give me headaches that
lead to migraines. I have trouble driving at night with bright car
lights, and my glasses adjust to the light's brightness to protect my
eyes."
"I started wearing glasses in 2018, but they were regular
ones. My vision worsened, and my eyes are very sensitive. If I'm not
wearing my glasses, I get a headache, and after that, it turns into a
migraine, and then I can't do anything. What my glasses do is remove the
glare and bright light, simply."
Due to this condition, the use of these glasses had to be
evaluated by the event's medical committee, and they approved their use
during the Central American Championship, without imagining that this
would set a precedent in the history of international volleyball.
"It's not a luxury, they're just glasses, but they are
medical prescription. I received them a couple of months ago; before
that, I only had glasses for bright light. About three months ago, I
started using them. While I was playing, bright light used to affect me
a lot; if it hit my eyes directly, I couldn't see. But now I have no
problems, and it doesn't affect my play; they are comfortable, and
there's no issue in using them."
Kevanna is aware of the effects of her condition, but
that doesn't stop her from representing her country and motivating the
younger generations. Thanks to her new glasses, she can continue playing
without any side effects. |