A READING resident is tackling visual impairment head on with a country-spanning challenge following a diagnosis of his own.
Andy Smith was diagnosed with a severe visual impairment early in 2020 due to complications from diabetes after he woke up struggling to see.
He was found to have a detached retina in one eye with damage to the other, and doctors thought that he would “be lucky” to save any of his sight.
He said that the news caused him to spend much of the lockdowns which followed feeling depressed, confused, and scared to lose his independence and confidence.
“People ask me what it’s like,” Mr Smith explained, “how do you cope?
“Honestly, on your own, you don’t– having visual impairment, regardless of its severity, takes away independence, confidence, self esteem, and hope.”
He was referred to Berkshire Vision, which supports those dealing with sight loss, and is now a regular at their events such, including their regular pub quizzes.
He also supported their Take on 250 Challenge in Reading’s Oracle shopping centre back in January.
Spurred on by that challenge, Mr Smith has decided to put the pedal to the metal for his own challenge to give back to the charity which he credits with restoring his confidence
“I never realised how reliant charities are on donations, so always being a keen cyclist and having bought an indoor trainer during one of the lockdowns, I thought I could do a charity ride– and why not the distance of Lands End to John O’Groats.
“Berkshire Vision helped to restore my confidence and self-esteem so let’s see how much WE can raise so Berkshire Vision can provide even more support to the visually impaired and help a significant number of people not just survive but Thrive.”
He will be cycling the equivalent of 874 miles, and started on Monday, May 8.
Donations to Andy’s fundraising efforts can be made via his Just Giving page: justgiving.com/page/andysmithbv
More information about Berkshire Vision and their support services is available via: berkshirevision.org.uk
