“Alone, we can do so little; together, we can do so much”
-Helen Keller
Ever since birth, I have had hearing loss. At the age of 13, I was diagnosed with Usher syndrome. I had a retinal tear in my left eye which caused me to notice that loss in peripheral vision. My doctors decided to put a scleral buckle in my eye to help prevent more rapid loss of central vision and to correct the tear. I am now 20 years old and classify as legally blind with about 15 degrees of central vision.
It is a daily challenge to say the least. Not only has this been a physical challenge, but it has also been a mental obstacle to overcome. Even with loving support, living with Usher syndrome can be isolating when those around me do not experience what I do on a daily basis.
Joining the USHthis experience changed my life. Camp has been one of the best experiences of my life. I have never felt so seen and so heard by people of all different backgrounds. We all come into camp with a variety of previous life experiences, and yet we all share one huge part of our lives in common – Usher syndrome. The feeling that I get when I see my people at camp is unmatched. I am so lucky to be a part of this community that strives to connect USHearts around the world. I truly love the outdoors and camping, however I have always felt like I did not belong in that environment because of my vision. However, the USHthis experience has proven that doubt wrong, showing me and others that we can do whatever we put our minds to.
At Northern Arizona University, I am a Fitness Wellness student with a minor in Disability Studies. I also am an ambassador for the state of Washington. I plan to get into recreational therapy and work with Paralympic athletes in the future. Additionally, I would like to work in personal training and group fitness classes. I hope to continue growing within the Usher syndrome community – a community that has shown me that together we can change lives!