Paralympic

[Jonolopodis]

It's very difficult to summarise my circumstances. I have bi lateral KC and choose to live life unaided, despite medically having a marked improvement of vision with Contact lenses, I don't consider this to be improved vision, hence my decision to live unaided. We all know the unfairness in the Victorian substandard assessment that decides our visual competence in a stable static environment immediately recorded in a passing moment, because it's not like life is anything but flowing, unpredictable and a constant changing dynamic.

The difference between my case and many others is that I'm diagnosed with severe adult ADHD and highly medicated in order to suppress the symptoms. Whilst I'm sure some people disagree with ADHD validity, and blame it on bad parenting.... (I assure you I have two fantastic supportive parents and two totally normal achieving siblings). Unfortunately having ADHD I solely rely on routines and consistency in life other wise I go of the rail. Obviously having KC and also extremely differential eyesight under contact lenses, consistency goes out the window. We then have the dilemma of 'improved eyesight' and mental health. To simplify, what's the point in having *improved eyesight if the mind behind the eyes is depressed.

Eyesight is purely subjective to the individual and their interpretation.

I use to be good at a particular sport, I dreamt of competing in the London and Rio Olympics, my eye condition destroyed the reality of this ever happening.
I'd like people to consider my situation and tell me if they think I'm right to fight for International Paralympic Classification and potentially start a campaign to compete at the Rio Paralympics. I feel it's unfair that there are people with debilitating eye conditions that don't get the fair opportunity to draw ability out of disability due to inadequate assessments.


Please share your thoughts....


*improved eyesight by outdated, inadequate assessment.

[Andrew MacLean]

Hello and welcome to the forum.

Loke all keratoconus stories, yours in not without its complications. I know exactly what you mean about the standard eye test and the conditions in which our visual acuity is measured. That said, I don't see any reference to the problems that many people have with wearing contact lenses.

It is always worth fighting for recognition. Let us know how you get on.

[Jonolopodis]

The fact that until I find a suitable solution to my KC, should I be eligible to fight as long as my visual ability is regularly assessed?

I'm not sure as to weather you are supportive towards my dilemma or against.