Barely out of her teens, dependent on her family and extremely nearsighted, Monika, 20, desperately wants to pass her driving test. She undertakes a risky eye laser operation which fails and she loses her sight. Her fragile mother Birgit cracks under the strain of seeing her daughter blind and defenseless and gives her to a municipal home for blind people. There she receives real care for the first time in her life. With the help of the personnel Monika overcomes her depression and finds her inner strength to fight for her independence. But the new autonomy of her daughter displeases Birgit and she tries to entice her to come back to the countryside. Finally Monika enrolls in an apprenticeship as a physical therapist. She discovers a new sensual connection to the outside world and discovers a balance between disability and autonomy.