Jewel Shuping, a woman with Body Integrity Identity Disorder (BIID), made a life-altering decision to intentionally lose her sight, fulfilling a deep-seated desire she had harbored since childhood. Struggling with the belief that she was meant to be blind, Jewel engaged in risky behaviors like staring at the sun for extended periods to harm her eyes. As she grew older, she embraced a blind persona, learning Braille and adopting blind-related accessories.

In 2006, Jewel underwent a drastic and irreversible procedure where a psychologist poured drain cleaner into her eyes, causing excruciating pain and permanent damage. Despite the distressing experience, Jewel expressed contentment with her newfound blindness, asserting that it reflected her true identity. However, her decision strained relationships with her family members, leading to some cutting ties with her.

Jewel, now advocating for BIID awareness, urges others with the condition to seek safer alternatives. She warns against extreme measures like self-harm to achieve disability and emphasizes the importance of professional guidance for individuals struggling with BIID. Additionally, she hopes for advancements in treatments for the disorder to prevent others from resorting to dangerous actions like hers.