As many of you know, I braved the VHI WMM 10km walk in Dublin last year wearing ear cancelling headphones and a blindfold as a fund raiser for Usher Syndrome Ireland which I am a board member of.  That’s right—I could not hear or see ANYTHING. For 10km. In Dublin. In the rain. With over 20,000 other women. 

The experience was life changing—putting myself in a vulnerable position of not only participating in a huge event for the first time but without hearing OR vision. Many of you thought I was crazy but if it gives you any idea of my belief in the people who started Usher Syndrome Ireland, then you will understand.  It was so hard, relying heavily on a few things: my incredible guide Trudy (who kept me safe), Carol Brill’s cane (which also kept me safe but also allowed me to feel comfortable in a completely unfamiliar environment), and a good raincoat (though not good enough as the downpours of rain that day made sure we were soaked to the bone!)   It was sunny in Galway that day, just sayin’!  Trudy and I trudged along on the day, having not met up even once to practice beforehand, and raised 3,160 Euro for USI. Amazing! And exactly why I want to do it again this year!

This year, instead of being guided, I will be the guide for Carol Brill, Founder of Usher Syndrome Ireland.   Last year I borrowed her cane to use during the walk and this year I will be guiding her! Again, we intend to throw ourselves into the event without any practice to show the vulnerability that people with dual sensory loss or deafblindness face every day.  They don’t get to rehearse when having to attend an appointment, going to a new restaurant, or making a last minute decision to go to an event.  The world we live in is not always adapted to give people with combined hearing and vision impairments access and I hope our fund raiser highlights this!

We hope to bring much awareness and funds to Usher Syndrome Ireland with your help!