Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
ON A SUNNY day in the first lockdown, I remember going to my local Lidl to do the weekly grocery shop. As I was standing in the queue, I heard a voice shout “Get back on the mark – you are too close to me”. I thought the person must have been speaking to someone else.
They then came over and demanded to know why I could not see the mark on the floor. I tried to explain that I had a visual impairment. The woman just responded by saying that having a visual impairment was not an excuse to get out of abiding by Covid rules! Of course, I just hadn’t seen the markings.
Another time, I was in my local post office and, as I wasn’t standing exactly on the designated spot, a man physically pushed me onto it. I asked what was he doing and he said he was putting me in the circle where I needed to stand as I was too close to the person in front of me. Again, I said I had a visual impairment. I was even holding my cane. But he said he had never seen one of those before!
So, it seems for the first person, my visual impairment didn’t align with their views of disability and, for the second person, it would seem that people with a visual impairment are confined to those using a guide dog.
These experiences did leave a mark on me and I found it very hard to go shopping on my own afterwards.
Diagnosis
My story of sight loss begins at the age of 17. The red flags were raised when my older sister went to see an optician for contact lenses so that she could play badminton. She was subsequently diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa, the name for a group of eye disorders that cause vision loss. It would mean that the entire family would need to have our sight tested.
And, so, it was that I was diagnosed with the same condition. It came as a shock, but also somewhat as a relief. I hadn’t been imagining things after all.
You see, at the time, I was having problems reading small print and looking at the board in school. I was finding it difficult to see in the dark and, if I was going doing a steep hill, or an escalator, I would feel like I was falling into a black hole.
I was told that these problems were due to short-sightedness and I was having to change my glasses frequently. However, it turns out they were all part of life with retinitis pigmentosa.
I did go on to finish my Leaving Cert and followed that up with a Degree in Social Policy and Sociology at Maynooth University. I was doing my Masters in Social Policy and Social Rights last year when Covid struck and I found out that my college campus was being shut down. I remember the anxiety I felt and that I wouldn’t be able to do my course on my own at home.
Additional challenges
Technology can be frustrating and there were many times when I wanted to throw my computer out the window. But I persevered, and thanks to great support from my department, and my disability officer, I got through it and graduated last September.
Apart from having to live differently due to Covid, in the past 18 months my sight has also deteriorated more significantly than I would have expected. Lockdown was challenging enough. Add to that my additional sight loss and it was all taking a heavy mental toll.
I used to be independent and be able to go for a walk on my own. Now, all I have left is my central vision. I have to rely on my mam to go walking with me as I find that I don’t see someone until they are right in front of me.
Sometimes people walk in threes and fours and they expect you to move into single file which is dangerous for me as I have to un-link arms with my mam and may not see if there is a slope or uneven path.
Since the reopening of society, and with outdoor dining becoming more common, that has thrown up new challenges too. I had an incident where I caught my cane in someone’s shopping bag and nearly fell over them sitting at an outdoor table. That was a shock for both of us! Another time I was walking along and two people came out of a premises, didn’t see me coming, and this time I did fall over.
I have been accused of faking my disability. People sometimes think that I can see more than I can. Maybe they think I am doing it to get more assistance.
However, there is a spectrum for vision loss. You may have some sight but need tools to be able to get around safely. I have now started the process to apply for a guide dog as, unfortunately, I don’t feel safe using the cane anymore.
Sometimes people overlook my sight loss which can be an issue. Other times people can’t see past it. It can be a lose-lose situation. But I try not to let it get me down.
Gillian Stafford lives in Trim, Co Meath and is an ambassador for Fighting Blindness’ Retina 2021 Public Engagement Day, which takes place on Saturday 6 November. Aimed at people with sight loss and their families, the conference features motivational talks and updates on the latest treatment advances. Registration is free at www.fightingblindness.ie.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
What a sensible young chap. Keep doing what your doing but don’t forget to have some fun!!
@Jen:
I can see the abuse starting up here soon.
Being sensible isn’t very popular around here.
@Patrick Nolan: Have you a better alternative? :)
@Jen: correct
This depresses the life out of me! 24 year old lad working and only out for a few drinks on a Thursday night. Giving up a life of fun and travel to save for a mortgage the minute he left college…missinf out on life at a young age when he will he will he staying in and skint enough when he has a mortgage and a family.
@Blah blah: he’ll Coast nicely through life imo
@Alan Flannery: yes but he is sensible and old before his time! I have kids a mortgage and I’m constantly saving and budgeting and worrying, like this lad….but I had fun in my 20s so i dont feel like im missing out now. He begrudged going out to a gaa night with his peers, he should be heading out a few nights a week with friends, having a laugh!
@Blah blah: he only earns €2100 net pm, between savings, rent and bills – he doesn’t have much left to spurge…
He has clear set goals, being sensible now is going to pay off well long term.
@Blah blah: agreed. He’s not living at all. Just warming up to be a slave to a bank till he’s 55. If his salary is going to double by the time he’s 30 then he’s nuts not to be travelling and exploring, going to gigs, or whatever.
@Jack: I think you missed the bit in his budget where he’s set aside a decent monthly amount for travel. He does have travel plans but is being sensible enough to save for it first, rather than go blindly spending a holiday loan, getting into debt and then not achieving his long term goals.
I traveled most of Europe when I was younger on cheap Ryanair flights, it doesn’t need to cost much. You don’t have to go to Australia for 6 weeks on your first excursion. If you’re flexible with dates and destinations and book well in advance, flights within Europe these days are an almost negligible cost.
Don’t mind the haters in this thread.. fair dues man, keep it up. But don’t forget to splash out every now and again
Kudoz to this sensible young man! Hits the nail on the head and speaks the truth,
Liking the grocerie break down, need to change my supermarket
Fair play young man and you play best game ever Gaelic Football
I feel sorry for this person.life is tough
Yikes! Respect. I was a million miles away from that and his age and to be honest still now. It’s unusual in someone so young but you gotta take your hat off to him. Still.. hope it’s not too late to have fun once he gets his house. Guess we shouldn’t presume fun= going out and getting thrashed and being hungover for most of your 20’s
Good lad. Your good with money. Fair play. Wish when I was your age I done that.
@chris c: You’re good with money. I did that, not I done that.
@Desmond Lyons: dick
@Desmond Lyons: di ck
My time travelling after my masters and great times spent with friends are some of most cherished memories from mid to late 20s. Didn’t save much until I was almost 30 but fast forward 5 years and I’m married with anew born after buying our new build last year.
If you work hard hard and put the effort in saving you don’t need to sacrifice enjoying life like this poster at the age of 24. He doesn’t know what he’s missing out on. Actually feel sorry for the guy that the obsession buying a house means he’s missing on our those great years.
@Brian: I agree! Doesn’t have to travel the world, but maybe a few weekends away with friends, out to a gig during the week, a few drinks with mates, etc. There is enough worrying and stress when you have a mortgage and a family!
Start up the SSIA again, that would help a lot of people out.
He is only 24 years old. The world is his oyster, but no fulfilment. Do these contributors ever have good old fashioned joy or happiness in their lives? friends, family, after work courses? You are only 24. Give yourself some time to discover the world and come back when you are ready. Above all, make the most of your young life. You only have the one.
Fair play to the young man for being so organised but as others have said please be sure to have some fun while you’re young (it passes by so fast).
Reading this article does remind me though of the looming future of automation (be it a good thing or bad, I honestly don’t know). What’s in the cards for people in the next few years when more and more jobs will become automated? I know it may seem off topic but it’s really not.
An artificial intelligence expert who previously worked with Google recently said that 40% of all jobs would be lost within 15 years due to automation. That’s both incredible and terrifying.
I know there is talk of what’s called universal basic income where each citizen is given a certain amount of money each month but I don’t really understand how it would work, where does the money come from? I think there was talk of testing it in a couple of places in the US and Switzerland but I need to read up on it more.
One way or the other it will be interesting to see how it all pans out.
Gets a dishwasher, more time in bed and less piles of washing! I wasn’t overly enamoured with the last comment, while some of it is correct, I don’t think the next generation will be any different really, if not worse.
His monthly outgoings are 1890 on a net of 2100, leaving 210 euro spare for the month, and he has just spent 113 euro of that in one week. Leaving 97 euro spare for the month.
Stop these senseless articles
@Liam Kehoe: If you took the care to read thoroughly before commenting you’d see his groceries are included in the monthly breakdown of €1890 and included again in the sunday spend (probably to give readers an idea of diet). Presumably doesn’t go grocery shopping once a month. Would have spent €46 for the week and have been well on track if not for pints at his table quiz (€113-€(31-€36))
You can still travel and see the world when you are older and are stuck with a mortgage. Some people seem to think you have to fit everything into your 20′s before you settle down and then can’t do anything after that. I did lots of travelling and then saved for a few years to get a mortgage in my early 30′s. Now I’m able to travel as my wages have grown and the mortgage is cheaper than when I was renting.
I can understand all the saving for a house and that rent is dead money but not going to Coppers after 6pints is unforgivable.
Fair play to him, and he plays the best game ever, Gaelic Football
Can someone please explain to me(I’m a bit thick) what is the point of these stories bout spending there money
@John Murt: to make you feel bad clearly
@John Murt: It’s almost like propaganda, showing you how little people earn and hey look they’re doing grand, so there is no problem with housing or anything, the government is a great job..
Alternate reality. This guy pursues his dreams of travelling the world. He gains both life and work experience in different cities of the world. He meets the love of his life and they decide to buy a house together, both contributing to the mortgage. Not implausible
Fair play to this lad. I know a lot of 30 somethings who don’t have the same resolve or will-power to save up. Don’t heed the begrudgers. If you’re happy with your achievements and goals, you owe nobody anything.
I sense a little jealousy from some people on this comments thread. You’re highlighting their sense of insecurity in themselves, so ignore the negative comments. Keep it going
Does this person go to work naked, or just wear hand me down clothes?
It just shows you how far we have come this young man with a good job does everything by the book fair play to him and he has to wait until his 30 to take out a mortgage.In the 80 you took out a mortgage when you were 20 and definitely owned your own home by the age of 40 . So I really think it is backwards we are going .
I couldn’t live like that. It reeks of stingy. What about if he gets sick on his omelette diet? Or falls off his bike and ends up in hospital. Has he health insurance or should the taxpayer foot the bill?
@Elizabeth Sheehan O’Reilly: If you read it correctly it says his work provide health insurance as a BIK. And he’s employed, so he is a taxpayer?
This g
There is more to life than a house. Yes there are advantage to owning your own house and pay the mortgage off as quickly as possible and set yourself up for a more comfortable retirement, but not at the cost of a life. Go travelling, experience other cultures, do a season at a ski resort, scuba dive the great barrier reef. When you are old and grey do you want to tell your grand-kids about the time you did a bungy jump in New Zealand or about how you slaved for 30 years and now own your own house mortgage free and wish you had have made the most out your youth.
24? Christ have a bit of fun lad, mortgage saving when you’re 24?? Not worth the sacrifice of spending your 20s like a cycling hermit, if you want to make some big money to add to a savings fund you should work abroad somewhere for a couple years cause the money ain’t in ireland with high tax, high cost of living etc no matter how good you are at saving.
This is bullshit…..even the net wage is wrong on the figures given….and the salary is a makey uppy.
Total ruse
@Paul O Mahoney: The net wage looks relatively correct, if you’re struggling use a wage calculator online from Pwc/Deloitte, you’ll find monthly wage to be €2238 less €125 (pension included in gross to net as stated above) less health insurance BIK charge
have your say