Lots of people ask me how can I be registered blind and do all of these great sports. This is quite hard to explain, but I'll give it a go. The photograph on this page also demonstrates roughly what I can see.
Normally when light enters the eye, it passes through the outer surface of the eye then the jelly part. Ultimately it reaches the Retina, which is the light-sensing structure of the eye. The Retina contains two types of cells, called Rods and Cones. Rods handle vision in low light, and Cones handle color vision and detail. The Retina has a central area, called the Macula, that contains a high concentration of Cones. This area is responsible for sharp, detailed vision.
When these cells detect light coming into the eye, they send a message back to the brain, which, in turn, translates the message into what we see.
I have a condition called "Rod and Cone Dystrophy" This means that the Rod and Cone cells have been constantly dying off since I developed the condition aged 9. Because the central part of my vision has now gone, I have to rely on my peripheral vision. Unfortunately this area is unfocussed as well as having debris floating through it.
At the age of nine I was registered as being "Partially Sighted". At the age of 25 I was registered as ?Blind?. Although I have some sight, the little I have is of very little use. Whilst stationary, I can see approximately 1.5metres, fairly clearly. As soon as I start to move, this distance diminishes. At walking pace I can make most things out up to 0.5 metre away, and any faster than walking means I am unlikely to see anything, before I hit it.
This picture gives you a rough idea of what I would see when standing still.(However I am unable to demonstrate the central blindness and debris that floats across my eyes). It is very hard to replicate what I can see, as things change with the amount of light available, etc. |  |  | | | A lot of my time is spent trying to work out what is in front of me. I would see the 3 blobs, and spend the next few seconds/minutes trying to work out what they are and where they were, in relation to where I was heading. Are they moving or static? If they are moving, are they humans or animals, eg, cows, horses, etc? If they are static, are they trees, rocks, fence posts, gates, holes, etc? Are they going to be in my way, so I need to leave them room or get out of their way, or are they to the side of the path, etc. | | | | CAN YOU SEE WHAT IT IS YET? | | | | CLICK THE IMAGE TO FIND OUT | | | | | For more related sites check out the Extreme Dreams Links Page | |
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