Galwegians thrive after trauma to cope with visual impairment
Two inspirational Galwegians whose determination to live life to the full despite debilitating sight loss have both told their stories of living with visual impairments with the aim of inspiring others.
Leo Hynes from Tuam and Katie Joyce from Oranmore are two of six people to feature in the National Council for the Blind in Ireland’s annual report.
All six are living with a range of visual impairments including Wet AMD (age related macular degeneration), Chorioretinitis and sight loss following brain trauma.
Leo Hynes was born with Geographic Atrophy with very little sight in his right eye but this didn’t have a major impact on his life, going on as he did to become a Computer Engineer and avid sportsman.
However one day Leo noticed something wrong with his right eye and he knew immediately that it was potentially serious.
“When I moved my eye the curve of the line moved with me and I knew something wasn’t right,” said the 47 year old.
“I immediately contacted my GP who make an appointment for me in the Galway Clinic. Tests were done and I was diagnosed with Wet AMD. I was started on a course of injections and was warned not to take part in any sport for three months,” he added.
The past eight years have been a series of ups and downs for Leo; he has had to give up work and driving, which has caused a huge impact on his life and that of his family.
“It has caused massive upheaval and yes I have been angry, frustrated and fearful,” he said.
“My life as I knew it is changed irreparably and the loss of much of my independence is very difficult to accept. However that is where the NCBI has proved to be a huge source of support.
“I availed of the counselling and the support group, talking is key, nothing seems as bad once it is talked out. It is so important to meet with others in the same situation. I also have picked up tips and suggestions to make life easier, I use the magnifiers and other visual aids and it all helps.
“Just knowing that I can turn to the NCBI is a source of strength and hope, things would be so much blacker without it,” said Leo.
That’s a sentiment that would be shared by Katie Joyce who was only 17 when she was rushed to Beaumont Hospital for surgery after a brain tumour – a bolt out of the blue – had a massive effect on her sight.
“Following the brain tumour, Katie had all sorts of things to deal with,” explained her father Noel.
“It was a horribly traumatic time for all of us and I have no doubt that it was very frightening for Katie. That said she is a very positive girl who never complains, she is an inspiration really.
“We turned to the NCBI for help and guidance, we didn’t know what else to do,” he said.
Noel was glad that they did and describe the NCBI ‘as a Godsend’.
“It has given Katie help, support, information and a network of contacts, adding that she has come on in leaps and bounds,” he said.
As a busy student, the magnification devices available from the NCBI are vitally important to Katie – and Noel said she takes full advantage of the many items available, using the CCTV reader, magnification glasses and ruler on a regular basis for her College studies.
Optimistic for her future, Noel added: “This is down in no small part to the NCBI, they are at her shoulder and I only have good things to say about the organisation”.
There are 2,623 people who are blind or vision impaired in Galway.
The NCBI provides practical and emotional support, rehabilitation services and other training designed to help people with sight loss to live independently.
NCBI Galway, is based at Odeon House, Eyre Square, Galway.