I lost my sight BUT HAVEN'T LOST HOPE

Going blind in her 30s is only one of the challenges Anita Moorhouse has faced

-  ELLIE FAWCETT, JOHANNA BELL

If you thought losing one of your five main senses would hold you back, I’m proof to the contrary. I started running 25 miles a week and had my third son after losing my sight. Don’t get me wrong – it’s been tough, but the challenges I’ve faced have made me a stronger woman and that’s what is helping me through my latest battle.

I was 19 when the optician noticed something wrong with my eyes. He referred me to hospital, where I was diagnosed with acute zonal occult outer retinopathy (AZOOR); a rare condition that gave me a 50% chance of going blind in the future. There was no family history of sight problems, and I wasn’t experiencing any symptoms. I was young and foolishly I didn’t believe I would ever actually lose my sight. I was certain I’d be in the 50% who were fine.

I lived in blissful ignorance for the next 11 years – I had my son Cameron in 2001 and when things didn’t work out with his father I carried on happily as a single mum. Regular vision tests confirmed my sight wasn’t fading, and I found a job I loved, taking lonely pensioners out on day trips.

When Cameron was seven, I met Dave and fell in love. Life was great, but when I was 30 an eye test revealed my sight had deteriorated so much that I’d have to hand back my driving licence. It was a massive shock. I hadn’t noticed any difference in my vision – I suppose you adjust to these things when they happen gradually.