By Laura Gomez
HAVANA TIMES – Julia Maria Rojas is 64 years old and suffers from advanced myopia. Until recently, she didn’t have many problems, but in the current crisis that Cuba is going through, and which is affecting the elderly more severely, getting new glasses has become a long and arduous journey.
How do you manage your day-to-day life with glasses that don’t have the prescription you need?
JULIA MARÍA ROJAS: It’s difficult because I’m very limited. When my granddaughter can’t come to cook, I have to manage to light the stove or carry hot water to the bathroom. After burning my fingers more than once, I started bathing with cold water, and I cook in the electric pot when there is power. As for my social interactions, I can tell you that I go out very little. Initially, many of my neighbors or former colleagues would comment: yesterday, I waved at you from afar, and you didn’t respond. People saw me walking on the street as usual. I had to accept it and then explain to some that my vision had deteriorated.
I imagine it’s also difficult for you to buy food.
If I don’t go accompanied, I have to buy whatever I can find nearby because I don’t dare to cross the avenue. At first, I would wait for someone to help me, but I’ve stopped doing that. I’m afraid of falling or being hit by a car. At 60, in perfect health, I have my outings restricted due to a deficiency that the State should guarantee, especially in a country that prides itself on being socialist and putting the people’s welfare first.
How long have you been trying to buy new glasses?
I’ve been trying to buy them for over two years; these glasses I’m wearing have my 2018 prescription. I finally got my eye test done and c