The Adventure Begins

Hello and welcome to my blog! This is my first personal blogging adventure and it means so much to me that you are here. Thank you for stopping by.

A bit about me

I’m Ming. I’m a 30 something wife to my wonderful husband and mother to my 2 beautiful daughters, aged 1 and 3. Things that make me happy include laughing with the people I love, ballet, travelling, discovering new things and food. Particularly food. I’m also partially sighted and registered Severely Sight Impaired (blind).

A lot has changed for me in recent years. I swapped the corporate world for the wonderful and ever-chaotic world of motherhood. Now, whilst my high heels and beloved handbags collect dust at the top of my wardrobe, I rock sensible (but stylish) flats and a backpack filled with changing paraphernalia. That’s not the only thing that’s changing…

My Eyes

I have Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP), a hereditary condition which causes the decline of vision and eventually results in complete blindness. Diagnosed aged 3, I have always had a small field of slightly blurred, central vision and night blindness. My vision has deteriorated steadily over the years and not long after I turned 30, I was registered Severely Sight Impaired (in other countries, this is called legally blind). I still maintain some useful vision and in good light can see some objects, faces, some colours and read large text. My vision is restricted to specific lighting conditions and a small central area, sometimes referred to as ‘tunnel vision’ (someone once said to me it was like looking through straws). The nature of RP means my vision will further deteriorate so I’m continually learning skills and finding ways to do the things I want to do, with my ever changing view of the world around me.

A Blinding Light

I thought bloggers had to be interesting, knowledgeable or at least cool. I’m none of those things, but in December the RNIB kindly asked me to write a guest post for their Christmas blog. I enjoyed writing it and surprisingly, it was fairly well received. It got me thinking that maybe people could actually be interested in my views on visual impairment and the life of a legally blind mum, so I decided to start a blog.

I would like to create a little place where you can come to find out about issues related to visual impairment. You might be looking for ideas, tips and tech to help you, or someone you know who is experiencing sight loss. You might be interested in the life of a partially sighted mum and want to know how we do all things that mums do. Maybe you could just do with some reassurance that you’re not the only one with a little or no vision, muddling your way through this motherhood business (because sometimes, it can feel like that!). Or maybe you’re interested in the broader issues related to visual impairment such as empowerment, equality and inclusion. All these topics are close to my heart and I’m excited to start sharing my thoughts on them with you. Although blindness isn’t the always the most cheerful of topics, talking about it can be positive, happy and hopeful. That’s why I have called this blog A Blinding Light.

And finally, we begin

Life should be led with grace, compassion and adventure. We should relish in its endless possibilities, spreading joy and kindness along the way. Sometimes, this is easier said than done, but it’s my mission to find a way, regardless of how little I see. I’ll share with you what I discover along the way and perhaps it might help someone, somewhere, in some small way.

I am so excited to embark upon this adventure but I don’t really know where to begin or if I’ll succeed. An inspirational woman who knew all about enjoying life, Amelia Earhart once said “the most effective way to do something, is to do it.” So, here goes!