life seems to have taken a whole new direction.I suppose this began about 6 months ago when I woke up to the fact that I have a peculiar "condition", not a disease as far as I am concerned nor do I refer to it as a problem. Just this condition. A condition that requires thought and caution in an ordinarily simple regime of day to day life.A condition that also needs some of my attention to try to understand what is going on, and to consider the various options open to me as a newly labeled "disabled" person.

I became aware of my condition at aged 19 but for some reason I can't honestly remember how or what led us (my brother and I) to Moorfields Eye Hospital in London on this particular day, all I remember is being there as a whole family, my parents, (having divorced 5 years prior) brother, sister and me sat in this dull room confronted by a big nob medical Professor and his cronies. "Retinitis" and "Pigmentosa" were the words being banded about. "What the hell is that?" is this guy having a laugh or what? "Just tell me why I'm not seeing very well in the dark and tell me how I can get it fixed". No chance. No cures, no treatments, no vision is what you have to look forward to. From that day and for the next 11 or so years, this has always been on my mind of course, I had more or less ignored it. Perhaps a denial thing, perhaps I just wanted to consider myself as a 'normal' person.

Recently I have been thinking more of my condition, constantly thinking of my future; as a provider, a father and a husband and towards the end of last year I was almost at breaking point; "What is happening to me?" I was in some kind of major rut. I still manage to do normal things; I go to work every day, work out at the gym, ride my bike, play games with the kids, but I have certainly noticed differences in things and I can and can't do as well as I did 10 years ago. I suppose I decided now was the time I wanted to look into what the future lies in store and began researching this condition. This has helped in the way I now deal with things, my life has changed for me now; being open and honest, not hiding anymore. It is one of the best thing that has happened in my life in years. I am communicating with some great people through RP and it is in encouraging to know so much support and information is available.