Khayyan Wafer
Happy Wednesday, Golden Divas!
Today, I would like to introduce you to a lady who has beaten all kinds of odds in her life. Ever since I met this diva, I have deemed her as the ‘Golden Diva’ who is the epitome of ‘YES I CAN’ and ‘YES I WILL’ while standing on the scripture: Isaiah 54:17
When I talked to her regarding this interview and when she blessed my husband and me on our radio show, ‘Let’s Stay Together Talk,’ I was mesmerized by how she didn’t let anything deter her from reaching her goals in life. As we all know, life happens, and many dreams can be deferred from you reaching your aspirations. However, not this golden diva; her determination and will to do better so she can serve others has strengthened her to become a godsent person who desires to become a living example of what God can do. Now you’ll know if He did it for her, He definitely could do it for us! This is ‘The Blind Faith Attitude’ we all need to attain. This golden diva has a rare genetic eye disease (she will tell you more about that soon), but it has not stopped her from seeing the world from a lens perspective that we cannot imagine while being labeled legally blind.
Now, we know people talk about losing weight for various reasons; however, this ‘Golden Diva’ was about the grit, grind, sweat, and pain, and she lost the weight and placed in a competition that most people can only dream about. When I think of the saying, ‘BUT GOD!’ I immediately think of this beautiful soul whose life is a wonder for all to see. Let me introduce you to this powerhouse young lady whose name is Sizzling Hot! Khayyan Wafer is a spicy diva and a force to be reckoned with!
MEET KHAYYAN WAFER
No weapon formed against you shall prosper, And every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, And their righteousness is from Me,” Says the LORD.
Khayyan Wafer is 55 years old, single, and has no kids. She is a certified Acquisition and Procurement Specialist with the Department of Agriculture from Chicago, IL. She earned her bachelor’s degree in English from Talladega College, Talladega, AL (HBCU), and her master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction in Education from Concordia University. Her primary mission is to help blind people. Visually impaired and people over fifty can access resources to live healthy and fulfilled lives. Her experience with resources is extensive as a visually impaired woman who recently embarked upon the bodybuilding world.
IN CONVERSATION WITH KHAYYAN WAFER
C50: Welcome to Club Fifty Khayyan! Please tell us about Stargardt’s Disease and its effects it has on the eyes.
KW: Stargardt disease is a rare eye condition. This disorder affects the retina; specifically, Stargardt macular degeneration affects a small area near the retina’s center called the macula. The macula is responsible for sharp central vision, which is needed for detailed tasks such as reading, driving, and recognizing faces.
C50: How old were you when you were diagnosed with Stargardt Disease?
KW: Stargardt is an inherited disease. I have had it since birth. My parents carry the trait, and I received the actual illness.
C50:Khayyan, are you considered legally blind?
KW: Yes, I am considered legally blind.
Divas & Divos, as I mentioned in Khayyan’s intro, she is legally blind. Let me be clear on what ‘Legally Blind’ means. It is defined as visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better-seeing eye with the best conventional correction (i.e., glasses or contact lenses) or the field of vision is less than 20 degrees (the total area that one can see without moving the eyes – also called tunnel vision). The 20/200 measure is obtained with a Snellen chart. If an object is 200 feet away, one must stand 20 feet from it to see it clearly. Vision issues represent a broad spectrum ranging from completely blind individuals to people with less severe vision issues.
C50: What is the life expectancy of someone with Stargardt’s disease?
KW: While it significantly impacts visual acuity, it does not directly affect life expectancy.
C50: How do people with Stargardt’s disease see?
KW: Everyone sees differently; however, with this disease, I see dark or hazy spots, blurry vision, sensitivity to light, and difficulty adjusting from light to dark settings.
C50: How is Stargardt being treated?
KW: Currently, there is no known treatment for the disease.
Khayyan, you are fearfully and wonderfully made by God, created with a purpose, and are doing more than people with a 20/20 vision in this world.
C50:Let’s switch gears from being visually impaired to losing weight; what and who inspired you to decide to lose weight?
KW: My medical issues inspired me. I was tired of taking high blood pressure and diabetes medicines, and it all had to do with my obesity.
C50: Yes, as African Americans, obesity, high blood pressure, and diabetes seem to go hand in hand. I commend you for stepping out on ‘Blind Girl Faith’ and making detrimental changes in your life. Speaking of changes, your body transformation is remarkable. Tell us how much weight you lost.
KW: My starting weight was 230 pounds, and my goal weight was 130. I reached my goal and lost one hundred pounds.
C50: Wow! Your Stargardt disease didn’t slow you down in attaining your weight loss goals. I am so proud of you and your determination to become healthy! Where do you go for your fitness and training regime?
KW: My fitness and training came from two sources. Fitness Boutique by Tiffany/Titanium Fit Bou’s, 329 W 18th St, and Derick Abel from Energy Gym, 2180 S. Canalport.
C50: Talk to us about OCB Natural Bodybuilding and Titanium Fit Bou.
KW: The organization of Competitive Bodybuilders (OCB) is an International Fitness & Physique Association affiliate. These are all-natural shows for bodybuilders who are competing in bodybuilding. Every competitor must submit to a drug test and polygraph before the start of the competition. It is a show that subscribes to natural and organic bodybuilding.
Titanium Fit Bou’s (TFB) is a women’s bodybuilding team owned by Tiffany Cole. TFB is a group of women aged 25 to 67 who compete in bodybuilding competitive shows.
C50: Tell us how you got into bodybuilding and how long the transformation took.
KW: My Sorority Sisters of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., who are bodybuilders, introduced me to the sport and fueled the fire to take the plunge and get involved in September 2020. It took a total of 3 years for the transformation.
Khayyan, you recently took third place in a bodybuilding contest. Congratulations! Seeing the fruits of your labor right out of the gate was great.
C50: Was it difficult training with Stargardt disease for this contest?
KW: It was not difficult because I had GOD, who placed an excellent support system around me. My family, friends, and all my coaches and trainers were aware of my eye disease, and they all helped me with this beautiful transformation.
BONUS QUESTION
C50: Khayyan, how can someone contact you if they are interested in the OCB Bodybuilding organization or getting fit?
KW: Social Media:Instagram: @blindishblackgirl
Golden Divas, there you have it! No one can ever tell me what GOD can and cannot do. You have read it here how magnificent He is in the life of Khayyan Wafer. That ‘Blind Girl Faith is MAGNIFICENT!!
Source:
https://flblind.org/
