Blinded UBC student Rumana Monzur to reunite with daughter in Vancouver

“To everyone who has been thinking of me or praying for me—thank you for your support and goodwill,” Monzur says in a release from UBC today (July 14).

“I am just waiting for my daughter to arrive. My daughter is eagerly waiting to get to me and she is actually counting her days,” Monzur adds.

Doctors have determined the damage to Monzur’s left eye is “catastrophic” and it is not known whether vision in her right eye will ever be possible, according to the release.

Monzur had left her husband and five-year-old daughter in Bangladesh to come to Vancouver and work toward a master’s degree in political science at UBC.

In June, Monzur was allegedly beaten and blinded when she returned to Bangladesh for a visit. Her husband has reportedly been arrested and charged.

“I am so grateful to everyone for their support, it gives me so much hope,” Monzur says.

“Once my doctors and I know more about the condition of my eyes, I hope to update everyone who has been so kind to me.”

Since returning to Canada on July 5 with her father, Monzur has undergone three surgeries and she continues to receive treatment at Vancouver General Hospital. More surgery is planned this week.

Meanwhile, the UBC community continues to raise funds to help with Monzur’s health needs, living costs, and future studies. More than $58,000 has been raised toward UBC’s goal of $70,000.

More information is available at www.ubc.ca/helprumana.