90 Day Fiancé: Before the 90 Days is a reality TV series about couples who have met online but haven’t yet met in person. It follows their efforts to manage a long-distance relationship and prepare for their first face-to-face meeting.
One of the participants is Chidi, a 33-year-old Nigerian who has openly shared his experience with visual impairment. Chidi lost his sight as a teenager when an apple fell from a tree and struck his right eye, causing severe pain and worsening vision. Despite this, he could still see with his left eye.
However, the situation deteriorated further when Chidi fell and hit his left eye on a wooden desk, resulting in significant bleeding and permanent damage. This fall ultimately led to Chidi losing vision in both eyes.
90 Day Fiancé: Before the 90 Days Chidi’s vision loss
After the accident, Chidi was taken to the hospital, but medical treatment could not restore his sight. He became completely blind, a condition that has significantly affected his life. Chidi describes his current vision as seeing only a "thick cloud" and occasionally perceiving sparks of color.
He relies on sound to navigate his surroundings, as his visual impairment limits his ability to interact with the environment. Reflecting on the impact of his blindness, Chidi said,
"I was so devastated."
Living with visual impairment in Lagos, Nigeria, presents additional challenges. The city's infrastructure is not designed with accessibility in mind; many public places and homes lack ramps, and the roads are poorly constructed. Chidi uses a cane for mobility but often requires assistance to manage daily tasks.
Chidi’s faith and relationship with Rayne in 90 Day Fiancé: Before the 90 Days
Chidi, a Christian, credits his faith with helping him cope with his disability. He believes that God played a role in helping him manage his situation and guiding him to meet Rayne, his partner on the show. Chidi and Rayne, 37, connected online five years ago when Rayne sent Chidi a friend request. Their relationship developed quickly within two weeks.
Chidi initially hesitated to disclose his blindness to Rayne, concerned that it might affect their relationship. Despite not knowing Rayne’s appearance, Chidi was emotionally invested. When Rayne sent a provocative photo and did not receive a response, she questioned Chidi’s interest. It was only then that Chidi revealed his blindness and later explained,
“I was afraid to tell her because I didn’t want her to run away or reject me.”
According to Rayne, this disclosure made her appreciate Chidi's genuine affection even more, as it was evident that he valued her for who she was rather than her physical appearance, saying,
“It was something I had never experienced before. Knowing that he fell for me for who I am, not for my body, made me feel truly accepted.”
To follow Chidi’s story and see how his relationship with Rayne unfolds, tune in to 90 Day Fiancé: Before the 90 Days every Sunday at 8 p.m. EDT on TLC. For more updates and to catch up on past episodes, visit the TLC website or your preferred streaming platform. Don't miss out on the emotional and transformative moments in 90 Day Fiancé: Before the 90 Days.