A dedicated sister set off on a 10-mile blind walk through Manchester on Saturday to raise money for two charities she credits for giving support to her 16-year-old sibling who went blind after a tumour.
Lauren Powter, 23, set off on her journey with the help of Children’s cancer charity CLIC Sargent and RNIB, an organisation dedicated to helping the blind.
Her sister Maia, who also has asperger’s syndrome, was diagnosed with the genetic illness NF1 or neurofibromatosis and doctors attempted to shrink a tumour found on her optical nerve.
However chemotherapy was unable to save her sight and Maia has been forced to adapt to her blindness.
Lauren said: “In three months there has been a lot she has to adapt to. Of course she has been trying to deal with the chemotherapy but also she has missed a lot of school and being a teenager.
“She has also lost all of her hair from the treatment which was hard for her as it would be for any 16-year-old.
“Plus on top of that she is now registered as blind and all of this happened within such a short period of time.”
Lauren embarked on her fundraising, posting her progress on Twitter page Through Maia’s Eyes, to help others in a similar situation to her sister.
“RNIB sent me some goggles simulating blindness and a cane two weeks before my walk and I took them for a test run the weekend before,” she said.
“It was really tough. I had my boyfriend as my guide and he was incredibly supportive.
“I was so emotional; I think I cried when I first put the goggles on!”
On August 31, the day of the event, Lauren equipped her goggles at 9am and travelled across Manchester and MediaCity completely blind.
“I was very emotional,” she said.
“Getting on the tram was by far the hardest part as it was so isolated. Even having a coffee with my friends, I felt so out of the circle and lonely.
“A ten minute walk would take me 45 minutes and I didn’t take my goggles off until 9pm, it was exhausting.”
The challenging, though daunting, was a ‘remarkable’ and ‘bizarre’ experience which Lauren credits for raising her knowledge on those living with blindness.
However she feels that more must be done to help those with blindness and plans on continuing her fundraising for the charities which have helped her sister.
“I have already raised £2000 which is absolutely fantastic and I am committed to keep going!” she said.
To pledge your support and donate money for Lauren’s cause click here.
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