I’m Charlie, I’m 14 years old and live in Lincoln. I live with my parents, my brother and sister. I’m currently studying for my GCSEs. I would love to do Maths, Psychology and Government and Politics A levels. Eventually, I’d like to train as a Barrister in Criminal Law.
My life growing up has always been a tricky one, being registered as visually impaired from 3 months, being born with optic nerve hypoplasia and nystagmus. it’s been a roller coaster of a ride both for me and my parents, me inheriting the condition from my lovely mum.
Starting school, from what I can remember, was always a tough one, not being able to run around, do sports, finding the work challenging as the writing in books gets smaller and smaller. Yes, the help is there from teachers, but the challenge is far greater to focus on the work, locate friends in playgrounds and keep your eye on the ball in sports.
Being different from everyone else was hard, unable to make friends as I couldn’t look them in the eye and not being able to understand or see their body language, made other kids not want me to join their games or their circle of friends. So, for the first few years of school I spent most of my time alone in the playground or walking and talking to my learning support assistant, isolating myself more and more as people didn’t understand and didn’t really want to, as it was harder for them or so they think.
Setting myself goals and challenges was the best way for me to cope, wanting to prove to everyone that just because you’re visually impaired doesn’t mean you can’t achieve what you want in life.
By the time I was in year six I had learnt to understand that there was a future out there for me, if that’s what I wanted. Staying on in a mainstream school and attending a mainstream secondary school. Unfortunately, during my last year at primary, my sight took a bit of a turn, resulting in a further diagnosis of Ocular Albinism, associated with the ONH. My vision is now really poor, a blow, YES totally, as I now need a cane to navigate, a laptop to write and read and Braille if I need it. I’m now registered as severe sight impaired/blind.
Choosing a secondary school was a huge challenge for both me and my parents. It was a tough decision, but I wanted to stay in mainstream education. My school supported me as best they could and continue to do so. Yes, there have been plenty of ups and downs, more downs than ups, but with help from some great teachers and the learning support team I’m able to fulfill my dreams of an education that I can be proud of. I don’t have friends, can’t seem to make friends and am the easiest target for people to HAVE A GO AT, I know that’s the politest way to put it, but that’s how it is.
The start of the last academic year was the worst, constant verbal abuse, name calling, using my sight (or lack of it) to make fun and tease. It’s a struggle enough trying to cope with everyday life being visually impaired, you don’t want the hassle of immature kids adding the pressure to what is already a challenge. With the help and support of my parents and from the learning support team at school things are now a little better, I’m learning to cope with the verbal abuse and am concentrating on my studies, which I enjoy.
Being positive has inspired me to help others in the same situation as me. I currently volunteer for our local sensory team, helping younger children at various events and supporting them with a shoulder, if they need it. This has been a great achievement for me as I enjoy supporting and helping younger children to gain confidence.
I’m currently completing my DofE Bronze award, with the charity VICTA. In order to complete the Bronze I’ve taken up Karate. After 12 weeks of training, where I get one to one support, I’ve completed my Red Belt in Shotokai Karate. I also attend a Debating Club at my school. I work with Year 12 and 13, discussing different topics every week. It’s great to argue!
Finally there’s my volunteering work with BID LINCOLNSHIRE, supporting visually and hearing impaired children.
I was recently nominated by my school for a lifetime trip to South America visiting Peru, Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands for four weeks in the Summer with the JoLT Trust Charity. It takes 18 young disadvantaged teenagers on a trip of a lifetime. I was chosen as 1 of 64 from hundreds of applicants to go for an interview with the trust. After travelling down to London, a few weeks later my school informed me that I’d been accepted on the trip. It’s a great honour as this is something that I know I’ll absolutely cherish. Seeing the world (or not seeing much) in my eyes is something that will blow me away.
I’ve been doing some fundraising for the trip as we have to raise £750 towards the cost. For this I have run 4 X 5K Park Runs with a guide, something which I loved. Even though it was a struggle, I did it and the funds are now raised.
Yes, this will be a journey of a lifetime. I will absolutely love being able to travel independently and experience the different cultures of these countries. If a positive comes out of this then so be it. Gaining that independence and confidence is far greater than any friendship. I can show people that YES I am normal just like them. Having a visual impairment doesn’t stop you, or at least shouldn’t.
Whilst a lot was going on a year ago I wrote a poem to try and express what my life was like being visually impaired. I thought I could share it with you, hopefully it will help you to understand me.
WHY DO PEOPLE JUST STAND AND STARE;
WHY DO SOME PEOPLE SEEM SO UNAWARE;
THE WHITE CANE I HOLD IN MY HAND IS A BIT OF A CLUE;
IF YOU STAND TOO FAR AWAY I CAN’T SEE YOU;
I HAVE A CONDITION THAT REDUCES MY VISION;
I CAN’T EVEN SEE MY OWN TELEVISION;
I STRUGGLE ON ALTHOUGH IT’S HARD;
AND ALWAYS HAVE TO BE ON MY GUARD;
THE WORST THING IS WHEN PEOPLE THINK ITS FINE;
TO KICK MY CANE OR EVEN WORSE STAND IN MY LINE;
JUST TO SEE IF I WILL MOVE OUT OF THE WAY;
ITS JUST SILLY AND TRIVIAL CHILDS PLAY;
I DO NOT CARE FOR THESE TRIVIAL GAMES;
OR WHEN PEOPLE JUST CALL ME NAMES;
IT HURTS WHEN THEY DO BUT I AM STRONG;
AND ALSO DETERMINED TO GET ALONG;
I CAN NOT HELP THE VISION I HAVE BEEN GIVEN;
BUT BELIEVE ME THIS I AM FULLY DRIVEN;
TO GO OUT AND ENJOY MY LIFE;
AND MAYBE ONE DAY EVEN GET A WIFE;
I HAVE LEARNED TO BE STRONG AND CONFIDENT;
BY THE ONE PERSON WHOM I CAN COMPLIMENT;
WHO HAS ALSO STRUGGLED AND OVERCOME;
IT IS OF COURSE MY WONDERFUL MUM!
