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.

Being different from everyone else was hard, unable to make friends as 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.

Setting myself goals and challenges was the best way for me to cope, wanting to prove to everyone that just because you are visually impaired doesn't mean you can't achieve what you want in life.

Unfortunately at the age of ten my sight took a bit of a turn, acquiring Ocular Albinism which is associated with ONH.

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, 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.

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.. (Link Above)