Hayley: Welcome to the show. I'm your host Haley, a blind advocate for visually impaired people. In this podcast, we're highlighting the challenges and barriers faced by visually impaired people and sharing personal lived experiences. Today I am thrilled to be joined by the incredible Tracy Compton, a blind tennis national champion who has proudly represented Great Britain. Besides winning titles at Wimbledon, She has taken on incredible challenges like playing tennis continuously for twenty four hours to raise funds for visually impaired programs. Tracy, what a pleasure to finally meet you again.
Tracy: So to begin, could you share a few basic details about yourself for the archive, including your name, age, gender if you would like to share, where you were born, where you currently live, and what languages you speak. instance, you are welcome to skip anything you do not want to share. And any city is enough for location. Well, that's a lot of information. Okay. Well, firstly I'm Tracy, Tracy Compton. I am fifty eight I am a mum of four. I'm also a nanny of seven. so my nickname is Snow White and I live in Sutton and just the one, English, but I do like to try and learn a few. So I can order like a cup of tea in Turkish. That's useful. I've heard Turkish tea is particularly nice. I have, but I I prefer I I do like normal English tea. So if I go many of these r cafes are Turkish run so yeah I can I could pronounce. I can also count up to at least seven or eight in Japanese do a little bit of French have tried German but I it's so hard. It's just hard, yeah, I've tried it myself. So but fluent in English and yeah that that's about it with with the languages, yeah. Languages are very hard I have to say. Don't quite understand how many people grasp so many different languages at same time. So how would you describe your s visual impairment? So I'm totally blind now. and that mean I so I'm actually registered NPL, no perception of light, or is it no light perception? I can never remember which way it goes around. It's either NPL or NLP, no it's NPL. so no perception of light. my sight changed in 2010. Yes, 2010. the grey matter is whirring around my head. where I went from being visually impaired to totally blind. and it was like it it went gradual that year. but it it was like an eclipse so the from the and you had the vision in one eye then as well. so the right eye I had vision and then slowly, slowly, slowly from the errand of the yeah, right side, so the outer eye going into the nose, it was basically like yeah, like an eclipse, so that like a like a ball going across your your eye and then totally blank. And what caused your deterioration? Glucoma. I was diagnosed in two thousand and six with glaucoma but I was visually impaired from the day I was born. I had a congenital cataract excuse me with another eye disease called collarbonas and that's where the pupil doesn't form. and it so instead of it being like a nice perfect little round like blob in the middle of your eye it drops down almost like some people say it's like a keyhole or I would say like a cat's eye so and that sort of gave me problems with sunlight So if I was like today, it's really really hot and really sunny and bright. I I'd be squinting. So that the sight that I had, it would be more impaired because of the sunlight. and then again when it was dark, it would take so long for my eyes to adjust to the darkness, it would have gradually, but it was very, very slow. So I was thinking sensational, sporty and sarky. But I c I can I great sense of humour and but I can also be quite sarcum, that's a combination. Yeah. Yeah. So how did your experience of visual impairment shape the way you grew up? What are three words you would use to describe yourself and why? okay. So on my Instagram page, I I say I'm funny fit and funny fit and fifty. I'm thinking I'm gonna have to change that because I'm 60 soon, like next year. And I'm thinking I'm gonna have to change that. I'm gonna have to think of something else. Yeah. So And understood the world around you. Okay, so I was the only family member that had a visual impairment. And I was probably the only child in school that actually had to have a pair of glasses. So I kinda like I was in mainstream, I did not really mix with any visually impaired people. So I actually though I knew I had sight issues because I was having to go to the hospital weekly and blah blah blah. kind of just my parents treated me no different to my s my siblings. so in my younger years I was kinda a bit blase about it really and it wasn't until later on when I left school and went to college I sort of started interacting with the visually impaired and blind blind blind children and and adults. And how did your family respond to your visual impairment growing up? Are there any family or cultural expectations about what visual impaired people can or could not do? no, I was treated normally. as in the word normally is very different these days 'cause what is normal? There is no normal out there, you know, everyone is different. But back then, I mean, we're talking I said I'm I'm fifty eight, so we're talking about in being school in early nineteen seventies and everything. I said it's very rare for for a person to be with with a pair of glasses. Yeah, unlike now. Exactly, I mean so there was no culture. there was no yeah, I got name called by other children, but children are like that. Children can be cruel. They can be honest, but they can be cruel. and think my parents there was just a typical we ignore them, they'll go away, they'll bug somebody else. which kind of So they didn't lower their expectation, they didn't change anything. No. I like that. No, they didn't. Because often many people think that visually impaired people are somehow different. they don't realise that we think the same. We've got our own unique personalities. Yeah. And also our own opinions sometimes. Mm. So yeah. Yeah. I mean when I was younger my sport in was ice skating. And that was a one thing that I was good at. So it was like okay, I don't have many friends at the at school, but I have loads of friends at the ice rink. And it was one thing that actually even though I had low vision It was something that I was actually good at. So I kinda like yeah. It that that got me through. That got me through the tough times, you know. Yeah. And school was tough. Yeah. You know? You mentioned earlier that you studied at a mainstream school and how do you think that environment shaped your learning experience? Confidence and self a sen a sense of belonging. At the time I would say I'm very mixed here because at the time I would say that's where I needed to be. I didn't you know, my parents didn't want me to go to a special school. They were adamant they wanted me to go to mainstream school because they said like, you know, there was nothing else wrong with me, it was just my site, and everything. So and you know, I was I would be able to cope, I could read, I could write, towards the end of my senior year I did okay in exams. wasn't fantastic, but it wasn't poor. I passed, I had some good grades. so however at time I felt very demoralized because of the constant torment. gonna stop there, something's Having a podcast. And they left. Go. At the t let's start from the how did you feel at the time yeah, so I was quite upset that because of the the constant bullying from bullies and everything. and I I kinda like hate got it in my head that I'm not gonna be able to cope outside. It's like, you know, so we then looked at special schools. and then 'cause this was yeah, this so this kinda like happened towards the l th not quite the e last year of of my school, the year before. and I've just had a big up big eye operation as well, to remove the cataract. and then found out I was blind in the left eye, the sight in the right eye wasn't that great. and so it was like how am I gonna cope? Yeah, but surely seeing you now such a wonderful tennis player, it's such an inspirational story. Like from you being so you achieve so much even though maybe you felt doubted. Yeah. You're younger, bullied by others. Yeah. Yeah. I think that's really important. To never lose hope, I guess. No, no, no, exactly. by changing direction and going to leaving main s well, I didn't leave mainstream school. I I you know, I did my exams, we saw another year out, went went to college and you know, kinda like resat some of the exams that think go so well and maths and English and yeah did some other stuff. Engineering woodwork and crafts and, you know so that was and then meeting loads and loads of other, you know, visually impaired and and blind people from all over the country and it was you know, it was Those two years, it it was it was tough because it was first time I was like leaving home. though I did go home on the weekends, but like Monday to Friday, you know, and it's like my god, I'm gonna be home like you know, and so that was a bit scary. Yeah. But then what the the also the other dilemma is like skate team though like I can't not skate like you know so it you know we work things out and you know what kind of support or accommodations helped you succeed in school work or daily life were there any support you wish had existed earlier? Yeah I do I I mean today there is which I'm I'm really glad about because there's there's there's support out there although there's probably could be more but we I never had any support. so a little funny story when I was at my doing my exams we then found out I was entitled to have extra time. so and then they said they found out that I could have a light If that helped and then and then it was like, we can enlarge your your papers. Yeah. And it's like, great, great. Yeah. So it was getting there. It was getting there. Yeah. but kinda so the if time's good. the lighting was was was good, but so the situation was we was I don't know whether you've ever come across them, these these seats that have the desk attached to the seat. no. Right, okay. So it it it it puts me in remind of and mum would probably know this, of of a high chair. so the table's attached to the chair. Okay, but it's not a very big table. So I've then got, you know, my pencil case, I've then got this light that they want you know, they are then sort of putting the well not in the middle of the desk but, you know, balancing precariously on the edge of it. and then they yeah, we're bringing out the your extra large papers. And when they said they are large, what it was is the print was still the same. They just put it on an A three paper. They did it didn't really kinda like work. And it was like okay, I might so yeah, it fundamentally that they had the right intentions, but you know, it yeah. The the the only thing that actually did help was the extra time. Yeah. I find that very useful. Yeah. So I mean now you've got scribes, I mean I took s some exams the R and I B some years ago in sporting development and you know I got I was a louder scribes that was read to me and I just sort of told them the answers and everything, you know, so that that i you would have been so much helpful, you know what I mean, if if that had been in place. but yeah no th there was there was nothing. So it kinda like feel a bit like bit jealous, but actually it's like it's fine. Because, you know, back then, you know, disability was very a taboo subject. It it's a bit like talking about breast cancer, it's talk about y do you know what I mean, mental health and everything. It used to be a taboo, it's not a taboo anymore. Things are shifted. We all learn learn so much about it, I think. Who is that? I think he was a bit stunned. Yeah, he was stubborn. But they were told. Okay. Go ahead. yeah, go on. How much connection did you have to the visually impaired community when you were younger and how has that changed over time? I had none when I was younger. I knew no one. I didn't have a You know, so much more about it and understand it more instead of just hide it in the background. Yeah. Actually raise more awareness of it. Exactly, and this is why it's good that you're doing this. much connection? foggy, not a clue of any other visually impaired. So I was the only one in my class, I was the only one in the school. There was a blind charity in Sutton that decided they wanted to come and see me and when I was younger and wanted to give me lessons in basketball, even my mum didn't. yeah, so that that was that was that. So the Sutton charity decided to give you lessons in basketball? Well th well they wanted to, but my mum told them to go away. They they w it was all for elderly based people. but how has that changed now? I know it now it's so the Saturn Vision so it used to be Saturn Association of Blind, they're now Saturn Vision. they're a wonderful. Although they do it's not for younger children but they're younger adults. Yeah. Yeah. Did you say you also have like a stronger bond to the Vision impaired community. yeah, yeah. Well the the college thing helped. Then I evolved a bit later on by getting into some sporting sort of activities. yeah. I did some tandem riding and all that. So yeah, so that helped connect and now with the tennis and now I'm doing going all round the the world, the country and playing the sport I love and love playing and love coaching. Yeah. Definitely I think often you meet up with similar people who are visually impaired who've gone so far and especially when you travel around the world you meet one of the some of the best blind tennis players or just athletes. Mm-hmm. And you just get to like relate to them. Yeah we're and maybe share ideas as well. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. It's just like how you bond more and how you think. I would prefer to go out with my f I and blind friends rather than go to a club or a pub with sighted friends. And I love sighted friends. Yeah. But they just don't get it. I I lose my independence when I'm with sighted people. 'Cause that it's like Or sit down in the corner. we'll get you this. We'll get you that. We're we're when I'm out with VI and sight and blind friends, we we all have to rally round each other. You do it all yourself. And it's like, okay, we'll right, I think the toilet's over on the left. I've just heard a hand dryer go. You know, you pick up all those audible call cues. Do you know what I mean? And or like if you're looking well at the end of the end of the evening and you're looking for the door around and thinking, I c I think it's this way guys, like you know, and then it's like, No, that's the window Like, No, that's the window you're trying to get out of. The door's over this way. I guess that is one of the things I would like to do later on just through my campaign is just raising awareness of the fact that visually impaired people they can also have their own independence to a certain extent. Yeah. Yeah, I mean, don't get me wrong. We all need help. We all need a bit of support. You know, and whether that's in out outdoors, you know, in the big wide world or even in your own home, you know what I mean? It's we have to accept there are certain bits of of living with sight loss we we need to reach out and say, actually, I do need your help. And the especially with newly p new people coming into sight loss. it's getting over that that taboo of being ashamed. Do you know what I mean? And it's using your voice. Yeah, using your voice, asking for help when you asking for help. But also you know, politely, nicely. Yeah, we don't I know sometimes, especially if you're in a you know, it's like yeah, you have to raise your voice, but it's also raising your voice, but it's also having that correct tone of voice so you're not coming like demanding. Like you know, I I've I've turned up at train stations and there's been somebody there waiting, I've been waiting for a long time, I'm blind and I need an You know, we're all trying to get somewhere and like, you know. Yeah. You're not the only disabled person in this train station. There are others and you know Like hello. They're they're they are short stuffed. You know, we know that you know this and the assistance you get at these places is marvellous. Really, really good. So, you know, but yeah, all I'm asking is people BI people, blind people, like you know, just be courteous. If you want people to be you know, to to respect you, you gotta give it back. You know, you gotta you've gotta approach it first. You know what I mean? And and not come across like demanding and like, you know, It's a two sided collaboration. Exactly. Were there moments growing up when you felt excluded, misunderstood, or like you did not quite fit in? How did that how did you respond to that? Okay. So I'm a scorpion and I have a sting in my tail. And when I was younger I wasn't I was a little bit hot headed and All that stuff I just said I didn't do. So I've learnt by my mistakes. And I did get cross and I did get you know and I'd I would have the outbursts like, you know. but I'm mature mature lady now and you know my my Май of yeah my viewpoint viewpoint has kind of like I've I've grown up so I'm more patient. I'm t I'm more tolerated. I tolerate it more like you know and there's there's certain things it's like I don't know I I just haven't got don't have the time to stand there and argue with you. I'm not gonna waste my breath, you're not gonna listen. So it's that I just shrug my shoulders and it's like okay. And but there are times it's like, no, hang on a minute, no, no, no, no. You know, and and I will approach it very calmly and just go, actually no, I'm not going to agree with that. You know what I mean? Instead of instead of like and you know, pulling my hair out. Because I've learned that actually you you you you don't get nowhere. You don't get nowhere. So staying calm. collective putting your point of view point you point putting your point across in a calm and fashionable way you may still not get the result but I think people will all listen they might go away and actually go mm actually mmm okay yeah so yeah Can you tell us about your career path and what led you to your current profession? Okay. So I got into the bit of a stigma when I was when I was growing up, I always wanted to be like a secretary. Just had it in I want to work in an office, wanna be a secretary and that, you know. And and basically I I followed that path. I got a job when I left college, went into what was then called the Department of Health and Social Services, or as we used to call it DHSS. I was I worked through a few departments in my how long did I work? 86 two thousand and four so that's yeah twenty something yeah give or take. met some interesting people, support wise with the VI stuff that was I I had vision as well. I had the the Yeah the yeah. Kind of lost your company Yeah. so I was able I d I didn't have a guide dog and I didn't have a a white cane then. I I didn't like using white canes. I should done, but I didn't. I kinda like just bumbled away through through life, you know, falling down curves. Do you think do you think White Kane you didn't want to use it because it made you stand out too much? Yeah. Yeah, exactly. Yeah. Yeah. You just feel like a lot of people just stare at you. Yeah. Yeah. It's like, no, I don't I don't want people to know that I've got to be you know. It was stupid. Really stupid. And I I should have you know, I I in some ways I look back and I think you know, y you just let your moral standing the way. It's like, you know, your your sensibility. You know what I mean? Yeah, totally. often when people suddenly experience sight loss where in the case they have to use a white cane they become really reluctant because they somewhat feel embarrassed about it. Mm-hmm. Yeah, totally. Especially when they're not used to at the beginning. Yeah. Especially when you're like youngish. Yeah. Teenagers, I think. Mm-hmm. Yeah. Impact it a lot. Yeah. I mean I I I had mobility lessons when I was at college. one when I left college that that cane went in the drawer and it never came out. It got put to bed and it never came out. It's a skill you always will have. I yeah, yeah, yeah. And and then I I relearnt in two thousand and 2009. Yeah, when my when the site really started to deteriorate. Yeah. And I thought no, I I've I've got a and then I went on the waiting list for a guide dog, so nice. Who or what has inspired you most in your life? My mum. My mum my mum inspired me. She was the rock. She She treated me no different to my sisters my sister and my brother or my cousins, you know. She she helped me through school, she helped me through college, Yeah, when when when I needed her she was there. So she she was she was totally my rock. and even though she's no longer with us, if I've done something I always refer to like you know, it's like doing this for you mum and you know, paying paying you back for for all that all that support you were there for me. So me me mum, for sure. What is one challenge turning point or defining moment that helped to shape who you are today? moment. I'm gonna have to say going coming here and stepping on court for the first time and playing tennis. Because it you when I was younger I I didn't understand tennis and didn't like it. Hadn't had an experience with a PE teacher that basically came and put the ball in my face and said, Can you see the ball? Because I couldn't as soon as the ball was hit over the net a n a normal tennis ball it's too fast and too sort I j I was just losing it. I just couldn't couldn't see it. Yeah, I totally understand. So it was like it was like, no, I can't I can't play this. Can't can't see it. So and she's like, can you see it now and and you know, knowing that I had a vision impairment, whether she actually understood the level of the sight I had, I d I don't know, probably not. and it and if a teacher did that now they would be totally struck off I think. So but you really just felt this connection to the court once you found out the sport was actually adaptable. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah, I kinda like it's like like this this is good. Then it's like it was on my doorstep, it was in walking distance, the house and I like, yeah I like this. This is this is fun. So and then Yeah, sort of starting the the pathway into to tournaments. And now having having my coach having that that confidence, then yeah, go for it. Go and go and enter your first tournament. Was there ever a time when someone doubted your goals, abilities or dreams? And how did that affect you and how did you move forward? There's probab there's probably been a few, but I've never had anyone actually come and say to me, Why are you doing this? You your rubbish go away and I've I've never had that. Do you know what I mean? I guess that is a positive Yeah. Yeah, I've ne i if if people have they they've they've kept it to themselves. They've not said that to me. Do you know what mean? They've overleft me to and to be honest, I mean I was good at my skating, I I I was part of the G B synchro squad squad there, must have been pretty good there, I wouldn't have thought someone just walk up to you and go, You can't do it No, no. Exactly. They they even I I even went back after losing all my sight a couple of years ago and I I got back on the squad. So I mean I I didn't pursue it only because the and it was my own doubts actually. It was like actually I don't wanna let the team run in case I make a mistake. In case I I fall over and you know, make a big hash of it. So I kinda like thought. I I went for the training but when they started doing the tournaments and I I'm mmm I don't think I ought to do this. So I you know that was my own but that was my own and and also it was a little bit of finance good yeah issue. For ice skating younger and recently when you went back to the squad, was it all VR people who were skating? No. That was the only VR there. how about recently when you went back? No, the only VR there. And everyone else was just And we're sighted, yeah. I mean there is like a Paralympic team. Yeah, no, so they've got So they've got an inclusive ice skating programme going out. and they they have they have like their own Olympica World Champs and Ol Olympic Olympics? No, I think no, I think it's just the World Champs. And you know, and and if I'd been a little bit younger if if I had the the finance I might have considered, you know, going back into it but tennis was the thing. Yeah. Yeah. Ten tennis is the thing. Exactly. What personal qualities or characteristics have helped you become the person you are today? probably being outspoken. Making people sort of like aware. You know, I love this because it's like making people aware. And it's like, yeah, I'm walking around it's like yeah, I'm walking on on on the court with my guide dog. Yeah, you know, I've you know, I'm I'm I'm getting on that plane to go and play, you know, the the the Helsinki tournament like, you know, and come away with being ladies double champions, like you know Well congratulations, that is a feat. An impressive one, I think. and you know, so yeah, just yeah. I I get yeah, being outspoken and just being me, I suppose. It's nice. I mean, we all know you absolutely love tennis, but what is something about you, for example, an unexpected hobby, talent, interest or personality trait that people might not expect? Okay. Well Ice skating used to be one 'cause everyone is saying it but I kinda like told that story to so many people now and then and then so a lot of people know that. but I actually quite like knitting and crocheting. So that's a little pastime I do. Very therapeutic. Yeah. So I I I've I've made some little bonnets for the babies at the the the prem unit at the the hospital. My friend just had a baby, so I I sent her a I made her a blanket. How lovely. I put her name in brow on it, Molly. I I I I worked out how to make these little bobbles and then I I devised a way of making these bobbles if I knit them in a certain way I could spell her name in brow. So that is very creative. Yeah, yeah, yeah. So that that's that's me. That's me. Yeah, yeah. So I do, I like I like doing things and yesterday I was in my I was in I I've not long moved into Saturn. I used to live in Walden but I live in Saturn now, which is not too far away. And I was out tackling I had I was told there was an ivy bush at the bottom of the garden and entangling all the other and I like, right, okay, I need to I need to go and sort that out. It was it was sort of taking over everything. So yes, I was I was out gardening yesterday. I was I was cutting you know, getting that and one of the blokes came along, I would have done that for you, lovely. I'll be no so I I'd like to get hands on yeah, get that I guess that's also one of the things that would be shock a lot of people who are not lying, who d who who don't know that. We have so many capabilities. Yeah. So next time. So What is one public misconception about blind or visually impaired people that you would most like to challenge? Well, everyone says like, so you you must have great hearing then 'cause you've lost your sight. Yes, they all say that to me. And I'm like, no, my hearing i haven't got a super duper hearing. I just pay attention more. Mm. I'm I'm just being more aware of my surroundings. And that whether that's hearing stuff, feeling stuff and smelling stuff. You know, it's it's just yeah heightened, it's just paying more attention. You know, I I don't have Superman sonic hearing or something like that instincts like you know so yeah so yeah misconceptions of you know because you lose one sense you're you've got super duper on your rubbers and it's like, no, no. You're just more aware of it. you're just more aware of your surroundings or environment. Because we have to because you know. and I I suppose the only other thing is, you know, if you see somebody walking down the road with a cane, it's like, you're gonna hit that Yeah yeah that's the point. I need I need to touch the lamppost so I can move out of the way of the lamppost. So I'm not gonna walk into it. And also as a guide to where you're going sometimes. Yeah. Sometimes people think, you're gonna crash. Yeah, yeah, yeah. But you you know it's going to you're waiting for the crash so you can turn. Exactly. How do you personally advocate for accessibility and inclusion for people with visual impairment in your community, school, workplace or field? so I'm a guide dog speaker, so I go although I haven't done it for a few years. but I would go into schools with my guide dog Sandy and my previous guide dog Irving. talk to the talk to the kids. and it just wouldn't just be about guide dogs, it would be, you know, how I'm living with sight loss or how somebody can help somebody with sight loss. Like, you know, and understanding the rules of you know by dog working is like yeah, you know, just using that common sense. So that that's my advocac advocacy of getting out. But also just coming to a public place and you know, making people aware, you know, talking, giving educating Even if you're sitting in a calf or a restaurant, you know, and you can hear the whispers, you know, and and I thought we would you like to ask me a question? Yeah. Do you know what I mean? Yeah. Often people just think I hear what they're saying. Yeah, yeah. I I've just overheard your conversation. Actually, your your conception there is wrong or you know or or I just heard you say that and actually just wanna put your right on something. So it it's yeah, again using your voice and Do you think they're also sometimes afraid to approach blind people? gosh yeah. Yeah. P especially if you stand in with a white cane. but see guide dogs in one way are good because they have that they they're like I've got I've got a I've got a dog hand. I wish my dog was as good as that. Thanks. So yeah, do do you know what I mean? It's yeah, just Do you know what I mean? So straight away straight away the line of communication is opened. Mm. Where with a cane it though I s I Excuse me, what what bus is this? Like, you know, think I know somebody's there And I go and I go, Okay, I'll talk to myself then. sorry, did you yeah, well I asked what bus it was. It's a bit late they have to I mean make people understand that visually impaired people are just ordinary exactly people who may have questions and they shouldn't see a white cane as something like a barrier towards conversation. Yeah. See exactly. See we talk about what barriers are put in our way in in actual fact they see the the white cane as a barrier to 'Cause they don't know how to to communicate with us. Communicate, yeah. Yeah. Yeah. How would you think we could what would you think we could do to change this or improve it? I don't know. It's a hard question. I don't know. I mean aga again I I I just think If you're there, then make the first communication. So, what an isn't this a lovely day? Or this rain's getting on my nerves. That you know, e even if th they don't answer you, you're you're trying to make the communication. They know that actually you may be blind but I I'm I'm clever enough to work out that there is somebody there. Yeah. To do that? Yeah. So yeah. Yeah, I I just yeah, I just think instead of Instead of waiting for the mountain to come to you, going to the mountain. Yeah, approach conversations yourself. Yeah. Yeah. What advice would you give to other visually impaired young people who are facing uncertainty, exclusion, or a major challenge? Okay, so be brave. Be brave. I know I know life is scary and you may have others giving you negative vibes or you know 'cause we're quite ast astute. We think somebody might be talking about us, but y we don't actually know. We just pick up from because you can hear whispering. You know what I mean? But actually they might might not even they might even not be that. So just be brave. and believe in yourself. If you if they think they can do it, believe believe, have belief in yourself. What advice would you give to the general public about how to better understand, support, and include Visually impaired people. Listen. Talk and listen. Ask ask question whether they think it's roomed or not the right thing if I the way I say if you don't ask you don't get and I would rather somebody come up and ask me rather than make their own assumption. You know, like so I I was sitting on my garden wall yesterday and I would you know I've got a pair of cutters in my hand and I'm cutting up, you know And and these people have probably seen me walking down the road with my guide dog, they've seen me walking down the road with my white cane and everything. And they go, Hmm, can she see or not? Like, you know, so if if if there was somebody, I would rather them come up and say, Can I ask you a question? How blind are you? 'Cause you you're you're you're managing to do that okay. Do you know what I mean? Rather than go Hmm, she's faking it and she. She can't be blamed. Cause she's faking it, 'cause she's doing that. Or she need a guide door for. You know what I mean? And so yeah, so I I just yeah, just highlighting that visually impaired people are actually capable of extra dra extraordinary things that you may not expect from them. But they actually can do it instead of doubting them. But maybe be more Just approach them 'cause maybe a lot of the visually impaired people don't mind you asking questions. They're more than happy to share questions. Exactly. Exactly. And I would rather have somebody come up and ask me rather than go off and make their own assumptions and then like you know, they then sort of got put their own mind to it and then and then all of a sudden they don't like you because they think you're you know, and then straight away they every time they see you they they get set back up. So then that puts them in in the you know what I mean. Did I just get the total wrong end of the stick? yeah. Thank you so much for speaking to me today, Tracy. Your inspirational stories, anecdotes, and just your your personality is truly in amazing. It should be an inspiration to everyone. Thank you so much. And I really enjoyed meeting you and yeah and talking to you. So It's been a pleasure. Thank you. Even though we had to shoe a few people away.
Tracy: So to begin, could you share a few basic details about yourself for the archive, including your name, age, gender if you would like to share, where you were born, where you currently live, and what languages you speak. instance, you are welcome to skip anything you do not want to share. And any city is enough for location. Well, that's a lot of information. Okay. Well, firstly I'm Tracy, Tracy Compton. I am fifty eight I am a mum of four. I'm also a nanny of seven. so my nickname is Snow White and I live in Sutton and just the one, English, but I do like to try and learn a few. So I can order like a cup of tea in Turkish. That's useful. I've heard Turkish tea is particularly nice. I have, but I I prefer I I do like normal English tea. So if I go many of these r cafes are Turkish run so yeah I can I could pronounce. I can also count up to at least seven or eight in Japanese do a little bit of French have tried German but I it's so hard. It's just hard, yeah, I've tried it myself. So but fluent in English and yeah that that's about it with with the languages, yeah. Languages are very hard I have to say. Don't quite understand how many people grasp so many different languages at same time. So how would you describe your s visual impairment? So I'm totally blind now. and that mean I so I'm actually registered NPL, no perception of light, or is it no light perception? I can never remember which way it goes around. It's either NPL or NLP, no it's NPL. so no perception of light. my sight changed in 2010. Yes, 2010. the grey matter is whirring around my head. where I went from being visually impaired to totally blind. and it was like it it went gradual that year. but it it was like an eclipse so the from the and you had the vision in one eye then as well. so the right eye I had vision and then slowly, slowly, slowly from the errand of the yeah, right side, so the outer eye going into the nose, it was basically like yeah, like an eclipse, so that like a like a ball going across your your eye and then totally blank. And what caused your deterioration? Glucoma. I was diagnosed in two thousand and six with glaucoma but I was visually impaired from the day I was born. I had a congenital cataract excuse me with another eye disease called collarbonas and that's where the pupil doesn't form. and it so instead of it being like a nice perfect little round like blob in the middle of your eye it drops down almost like some people say it's like a keyhole or I would say like a cat's eye so and that sort of gave me problems with sunlight So if I was like today, it's really really hot and really sunny and bright. I I'd be squinting. So that the sight that I had, it would be more impaired because of the sunlight. and then again when it was dark, it would take so long for my eyes to adjust to the darkness, it would have gradually, but it was very, very slow. So I was thinking sensational, sporty and sarky. But I c I can I great sense of humour and but I can also be quite sarcum, that's a combination. Yeah. Yeah. So how did your experience of visual impairment shape the way you grew up? What are three words you would use to describe yourself and why? okay. So on my Instagram page, I I say I'm funny fit and funny fit and fifty. I'm thinking I'm gonna have to change that because I'm 60 soon, like next year. And I'm thinking I'm gonna have to change that. I'm gonna have to think of something else. Yeah. So And understood the world around you. Okay, so I was the only family member that had a visual impairment. And I was probably the only child in school that actually had to have a pair of glasses. So I kinda like I was in mainstream, I did not really mix with any visually impaired people. So I actually though I knew I had sight issues because I was having to go to the hospital weekly and blah blah blah. kind of just my parents treated me no different to my s my siblings. so in my younger years I was kinda a bit blase about it really and it wasn't until later on when I left school and went to college I sort of started interacting with the visually impaired and blind blind blind children and and adults. And how did your family respond to your visual impairment growing up? Are there any family or cultural expectations about what visual impaired people can or could not do? no, I was treated normally. as in the word normally is very different these days 'cause what is normal? There is no normal out there, you know, everyone is different. But back then, I mean, we're talking I said I'm I'm fifty eight, so we're talking about in being school in early nineteen seventies and everything. I said it's very rare for for a person to be with with a pair of glasses. Yeah, unlike now. Exactly, I mean so there was no culture. there was no yeah, I got name called by other children, but children are like that. Children can be cruel. They can be honest, but they can be cruel. and think my parents there was just a typical we ignore them, they'll go away, they'll bug somebody else. which kind of So they didn't lower their expectation, they didn't change anything. No. I like that. No, they didn't. Because often many people think that visually impaired people are somehow different. they don't realise that we think the same. We've got our own unique personalities. Yeah. And also our own opinions sometimes. Mm. So yeah. Yeah. I mean when I was younger my sport in was ice skating. And that was a one thing that I was good at. So it was like okay, I don't have many friends at the at school, but I have loads of friends at the ice rink. And it was one thing that actually even though I had low vision It was something that I was actually good at. So I kinda like yeah. It that that got me through. That got me through the tough times, you know. Yeah. And school was tough. Yeah. You know? You mentioned earlier that you studied at a mainstream school and how do you think that environment shaped your learning experience? Confidence and self a sen a sense of belonging. At the time I would say I'm very mixed here because at the time I would say that's where I needed to be. I didn't you know, my parents didn't want me to go to a special school. They were adamant they wanted me to go to mainstream school because they said like, you know, there was nothing else wrong with me, it was just my site, and everything. So and you know, I was I would be able to cope, I could read, I could write, towards the end of my senior year I did okay in exams. wasn't fantastic, but it wasn't poor. I passed, I had some good grades. so however at time I felt very demoralized because of the constant torment. gonna stop there, something's Having a podcast. And they left. Go. At the t let's start from the how did you feel at the time yeah, so I was quite upset that because of the the constant bullying from bullies and everything. and I I kinda like hate got it in my head that I'm not gonna be able to cope outside. It's like, you know, so we then looked at special schools. and then 'cause this was yeah, this so this kinda like happened towards the l th not quite the e last year of of my school, the year before. and I've just had a big up big eye operation as well, to remove the cataract. and then found out I was blind in the left eye, the sight in the right eye wasn't that great. and so it was like how am I gonna cope? Yeah, but surely seeing you now such a wonderful tennis player, it's such an inspirational story. Like from you being so you achieve so much even though maybe you felt doubted. Yeah. You're younger, bullied by others. Yeah. Yeah. I think that's really important. To never lose hope, I guess. No, no, no, exactly. by changing direction and going to leaving main s well, I didn't leave mainstream school. I I you know, I did my exams, we saw another year out, went went to college and you know, kinda like resat some of the exams that think go so well and maths and English and yeah did some other stuff. Engineering woodwork and crafts and, you know so that was and then meeting loads and loads of other, you know, visually impaired and and blind people from all over the country and it was you know, it was Those two years, it it was it was tough because it was first time I was like leaving home. though I did go home on the weekends, but like Monday to Friday, you know, and it's like my god, I'm gonna be home like you know, and so that was a bit scary. Yeah. But then what the the also the other dilemma is like skate team though like I can't not skate like you know so it you know we work things out and you know what kind of support or accommodations helped you succeed in school work or daily life were there any support you wish had existed earlier? Yeah I do I I mean today there is which I'm I'm really glad about because there's there's there's support out there although there's probably could be more but we I never had any support. so a little funny story when I was at my doing my exams we then found out I was entitled to have extra time. so and then they said they found out that I could have a light If that helped and then and then it was like, we can enlarge your your papers. Yeah. And it's like, great, great. Yeah. So it was getting there. It was getting there. Yeah. but kinda so the if time's good. the lighting was was was good, but so the situation was we was I don't know whether you've ever come across them, these these seats that have the desk attached to the seat. no. Right, okay. So it it it it puts me in remind of and mum would probably know this, of of a high chair. so the table's attached to the chair. Okay, but it's not a very big table. So I've then got, you know, my pencil case, I've then got this light that they want you know, they are then sort of putting the well not in the middle of the desk but, you know, balancing precariously on the edge of it. and then they yeah, we're bringing out the your extra large papers. And when they said they are large, what it was is the print was still the same. They just put it on an A three paper. They did it didn't really kinda like work. And it was like okay, I might so yeah, it fundamentally that they had the right intentions, but you know, it yeah. The the the only thing that actually did help was the extra time. Yeah. I find that very useful. Yeah. So I mean now you've got scribes, I mean I took s some exams the R and I B some years ago in sporting development and you know I got I was a louder scribes that was read to me and I just sort of told them the answers and everything, you know, so that that i you would have been so much helpful, you know what I mean, if if that had been in place. but yeah no th there was there was nothing. So it kinda like feel a bit like bit jealous, but actually it's like it's fine. Because, you know, back then, you know, disability was very a taboo subject. It it's a bit like talking about breast cancer, it's talk about y do you know what I mean, mental health and everything. It used to be a taboo, it's not a taboo anymore. Things are shifted. We all learn learn so much about it, I think. Who is that? I think he was a bit stunned. Yeah, he was stubborn. But they were told. Okay. Go ahead. yeah, go on. How much connection did you have to the visually impaired community when you were younger and how has that changed over time? I had none when I was younger. I knew no one. I didn't have a You know, so much more about it and understand it more instead of just hide it in the background. Yeah. Actually raise more awareness of it. Exactly, and this is why it's good that you're doing this. much connection? foggy, not a clue of any other visually impaired. So I was the only one in my class, I was the only one in the school. There was a blind charity in Sutton that decided they wanted to come and see me and when I was younger and wanted to give me lessons in basketball, even my mum didn't. yeah, so that that was that was that. So the Sutton charity decided to give you lessons in basketball? Well th well they wanted to, but my mum told them to go away. They they w it was all for elderly based people. but how has that changed now? I know it now it's so the Saturn Vision so it used to be Saturn Association of Blind, they're now Saturn Vision. they're a wonderful. Although they do it's not for younger children but they're younger adults. Yeah. Yeah. Did you say you also have like a stronger bond to the Vision impaired community. yeah, yeah. Well the the college thing helped. Then I evolved a bit later on by getting into some sporting sort of activities. yeah. I did some tandem riding and all that. So yeah, so that helped connect and now with the tennis and now I'm doing going all round the the world, the country and playing the sport I love and love playing and love coaching. Yeah. Definitely I think often you meet up with similar people who are visually impaired who've gone so far and especially when you travel around the world you meet one of the some of the best blind tennis players or just athletes. Mm-hmm. And you just get to like relate to them. Yeah we're and maybe share ideas as well. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. It's just like how you bond more and how you think. I would prefer to go out with my f I and blind friends rather than go to a club or a pub with sighted friends. And I love sighted friends. Yeah. But they just don't get it. I I lose my independence when I'm with sighted people. 'Cause that it's like Or sit down in the corner. we'll get you this. We'll get you that. We're we're when I'm out with VI and sight and blind friends, we we all have to rally round each other. You do it all yourself. And it's like, okay, we'll right, I think the toilet's over on the left. I've just heard a hand dryer go. You know, you pick up all those audible call cues. Do you know what I mean? And or like if you're looking well at the end of the end of the evening and you're looking for the door around and thinking, I c I think it's this way guys, like you know, and then it's like, No, that's the window Like, No, that's the window you're trying to get out of. The door's over this way. I guess that is one of the things I would like to do later on just through my campaign is just raising awareness of the fact that visually impaired people they can also have their own independence to a certain extent. Yeah. Yeah, I mean, don't get me wrong. We all need help. We all need a bit of support. You know, and whether that's in out outdoors, you know, in the big wide world or even in your own home, you know what I mean? It's we have to accept there are certain bits of of living with sight loss we we need to reach out and say, actually, I do need your help. And the especially with newly p new people coming into sight loss. it's getting over that that taboo of being ashamed. Do you know what I mean? And it's using your voice. Yeah, using your voice, asking for help when you asking for help. But also you know, politely, nicely. Yeah, we don't I know sometimes, especially if you're in a you know, it's like yeah, you have to raise your voice, but it's also raising your voice, but it's also having that correct tone of voice so you're not coming like demanding. Like you know, I I've I've turned up at train stations and there's been somebody there waiting, I've been waiting for a long time, I'm blind and I need an You know, we're all trying to get somewhere and like, you know. Yeah. You're not the only disabled person in this train station. There are others and you know Like hello. They're they're they are short stuffed. You know, we know that you know this and the assistance you get at these places is marvellous. Really, really good. So, you know, but yeah, all I'm asking is people BI people, blind people, like you know, just be courteous. If you want people to be you know, to to respect you, you gotta give it back. You know, you gotta you've gotta approach it first. You know what I mean? And and not come across like demanding and like, you know, It's a two sided collaboration. Exactly. Were there moments growing up when you felt excluded, misunderstood, or like you did not quite fit in? How did that how did you respond to that? Okay. So I'm a scorpion and I have a sting in my tail. And when I was younger I wasn't I was a little bit hot headed and All that stuff I just said I didn't do. So I've learnt by my mistakes. And I did get cross and I did get you know and I'd I would have the outbursts like, you know. but I'm mature mature lady now and you know my my Май of yeah my viewpoint viewpoint has kind of like I've I've grown up so I'm more patient. I'm t I'm more tolerated. I tolerate it more like you know and there's there's certain things it's like I don't know I I just haven't got don't have the time to stand there and argue with you. I'm not gonna waste my breath, you're not gonna listen. So it's that I just shrug my shoulders and it's like okay. And but there are times it's like, no, hang on a minute, no, no, no, no. You know, and and I will approach it very calmly and just go, actually no, I'm not going to agree with that. You know what I mean? Instead of instead of like and you know, pulling my hair out. Because I've learned that actually you you you you don't get nowhere. You don't get nowhere. So staying calm. collective putting your point of view point you point putting your point across in a calm and fashionable way you may still not get the result but I think people will all listen they might go away and actually go mm actually mmm okay yeah so yeah Can you tell us about your career path and what led you to your current profession? Okay. So I got into the bit of a stigma when I was when I was growing up, I always wanted to be like a secretary. Just had it in I want to work in an office, wanna be a secretary and that, you know. And and basically I I followed that path. I got a job when I left college, went into what was then called the Department of Health and Social Services, or as we used to call it DHSS. I was I worked through a few departments in my how long did I work? 86 two thousand and four so that's yeah twenty something yeah give or take. met some interesting people, support wise with the VI stuff that was I I had vision as well. I had the the Yeah the yeah. Kind of lost your company Yeah. so I was able I d I didn't have a guide dog and I didn't have a a white cane then. I I didn't like using white canes. I should done, but I didn't. I kinda like just bumbled away through through life, you know, falling down curves. Do you think do you think White Kane you didn't want to use it because it made you stand out too much? Yeah. Yeah, exactly. Yeah. Yeah. You just feel like a lot of people just stare at you. Yeah. Yeah. It's like, no, I don't I don't want people to know that I've got to be you know. It was stupid. Really stupid. And I I should have you know, I I in some ways I look back and I think you know, y you just let your moral standing the way. It's like, you know, your your sensibility. You know what I mean? Yeah, totally. often when people suddenly experience sight loss where in the case they have to use a white cane they become really reluctant because they somewhat feel embarrassed about it. Mm-hmm. Yeah, totally. Especially when they're not used to at the beginning. Yeah. Especially when you're like youngish. Yeah. Teenagers, I think. Mm-hmm. Yeah. Impact it a lot. Yeah. I mean I I I had mobility lessons when I was at college. one when I left college that that cane went in the drawer and it never came out. It got put to bed and it never came out. It's a skill you always will have. I yeah, yeah, yeah. And and then I I relearnt in two thousand and 2009. Yeah, when my when the site really started to deteriorate. Yeah. And I thought no, I I've I've got a and then I went on the waiting list for a guide dog, so nice. Who or what has inspired you most in your life? My mum. My mum my mum inspired me. She was the rock. She She treated me no different to my sisters my sister and my brother or my cousins, you know. She she helped me through school, she helped me through college, Yeah, when when when I needed her she was there. So she she was she was totally my rock. and even though she's no longer with us, if I've done something I always refer to like you know, it's like doing this for you mum and you know, paying paying you back for for all that all that support you were there for me. So me me mum, for sure. What is one challenge turning point or defining moment that helped to shape who you are today? moment. I'm gonna have to say going coming here and stepping on court for the first time and playing tennis. Because it you when I was younger I I didn't understand tennis and didn't like it. Hadn't had an experience with a PE teacher that basically came and put the ball in my face and said, Can you see the ball? Because I couldn't as soon as the ball was hit over the net a n a normal tennis ball it's too fast and too sort I j I was just losing it. I just couldn't couldn't see it. Yeah, I totally understand. So it was like it was like, no, I can't I can't play this. Can't can't see it. So and she's like, can you see it now and and you know, knowing that I had a vision impairment, whether she actually understood the level of the sight I had, I d I don't know, probably not. and it and if a teacher did that now they would be totally struck off I think. So but you really just felt this connection to the court once you found out the sport was actually adaptable. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah, I kinda like it's like like this this is good. Then it's like it was on my doorstep, it was in walking distance, the house and I like, yeah I like this. This is this is fun. So and then Yeah, sort of starting the the pathway into to tournaments. And now having having my coach having that that confidence, then yeah, go for it. Go and go and enter your first tournament. Was there ever a time when someone doubted your goals, abilities or dreams? And how did that affect you and how did you move forward? There's probab there's probably been a few, but I've never had anyone actually come and say to me, Why are you doing this? You your rubbish go away and I've I've never had that. Do you know what I mean? I guess that is a positive Yeah. Yeah, I've ne i if if people have they they've they've kept it to themselves. They've not said that to me. Do you know what mean? They've overleft me to and to be honest, I mean I was good at my skating, I I I was part of the G B synchro squad squad there, must have been pretty good there, I wouldn't have thought someone just walk up to you and go, You can't do it No, no. Exactly. They they even I I even went back after losing all my sight a couple of years ago and I I got back on the squad. So I mean I I didn't pursue it only because the and it was my own doubts actually. It was like actually I don't wanna let the team run in case I make a mistake. In case I I fall over and you know, make a big hash of it. So I kinda like thought. I I went for the training but when they started doing the tournaments and I I'm mmm I don't think I ought to do this. So I you know that was my own but that was my own and and also it was a little bit of finance good yeah issue. For ice skating younger and recently when you went back to the squad, was it all VR people who were skating? No. That was the only VR there. how about recently when you went back? No, the only VR there. And everyone else was just And we're sighted, yeah. I mean there is like a Paralympic team. Yeah, no, so they've got So they've got an inclusive ice skating programme going out. and they they have they have like their own Olympica World Champs and Ol Olympic Olympics? No, I think no, I think it's just the World Champs. And you know, and and if I'd been a little bit younger if if I had the the finance I might have considered, you know, going back into it but tennis was the thing. Yeah. Yeah. Ten tennis is the thing. Exactly. What personal qualities or characteristics have helped you become the person you are today? probably being outspoken. Making people sort of like aware. You know, I love this because it's like making people aware. And it's like, yeah, I'm walking around it's like yeah, I'm walking on on on the court with my guide dog. Yeah, you know, I've you know, I'm I'm I'm getting on that plane to go and play, you know, the the the Helsinki tournament like, you know, and come away with being ladies double champions, like you know Well congratulations, that is a feat. An impressive one, I think. and you know, so yeah, just yeah. I I get yeah, being outspoken and just being me, I suppose. It's nice. I mean, we all know you absolutely love tennis, but what is something about you, for example, an unexpected hobby, talent, interest or personality trait that people might not expect? Okay. Well Ice skating used to be one 'cause everyone is saying it but I kinda like told that story to so many people now and then and then so a lot of people know that. but I actually quite like knitting and crocheting. So that's a little pastime I do. Very therapeutic. Yeah. So I I I've I've made some little bonnets for the babies at the the the prem unit at the the hospital. My friend just had a baby, so I I sent her a I made her a blanket. How lovely. I put her name in brow on it, Molly. I I I I worked out how to make these little bobbles and then I I devised a way of making these bobbles if I knit them in a certain way I could spell her name in brow. So that is very creative. Yeah, yeah, yeah. So that that's that's me. That's me. Yeah, yeah. So I do, I like I like doing things and yesterday I was in my I was in I I've not long moved into Saturn. I used to live in Walden but I live in Saturn now, which is not too far away. And I was out tackling I had I was told there was an ivy bush at the bottom of the garden and entangling all the other and I like, right, okay, I need to I need to go and sort that out. It was it was sort of taking over everything. So yes, I was I was out gardening yesterday. I was I was cutting you know, getting that and one of the blokes came along, I would have done that for you, lovely. I'll be no so I I'd like to get hands on yeah, get that I guess that's also one of the things that would be shock a lot of people who are not lying, who d who who don't know that. We have so many capabilities. Yeah. So next time. So What is one public misconception about blind or visually impaired people that you would most like to challenge? Well, everyone says like, so you you must have great hearing then 'cause you've lost your sight. Yes, they all say that to me. And I'm like, no, my hearing i haven't got a super duper hearing. I just pay attention more. Mm. I'm I'm just being more aware of my surroundings. And that whether that's hearing stuff, feeling stuff and smelling stuff. You know, it's it's just yeah heightened, it's just paying more attention. You know, I I don't have Superman sonic hearing or something like that instincts like you know so yeah so yeah misconceptions of you know because you lose one sense you're you've got super duper on your rubbers and it's like, no, no. You're just more aware of it. you're just more aware of your surroundings or environment. Because we have to because you know. and I I suppose the only other thing is, you know, if you see somebody walking down the road with a cane, it's like, you're gonna hit that Yeah yeah that's the point. I need I need to touch the lamppost so I can move out of the way of the lamppost. So I'm not gonna walk into it. And also as a guide to where you're going sometimes. Yeah. Sometimes people think, you're gonna crash. Yeah, yeah, yeah. But you you know it's going to you're waiting for the crash so you can turn. Exactly. How do you personally advocate for accessibility and inclusion for people with visual impairment in your community, school, workplace or field? so I'm a guide dog speaker, so I go although I haven't done it for a few years. but I would go into schools with my guide dog Sandy and my previous guide dog Irving. talk to the talk to the kids. and it just wouldn't just be about guide dogs, it would be, you know, how I'm living with sight loss or how somebody can help somebody with sight loss. Like, you know, and understanding the rules of you know by dog working is like yeah, you know, just using that common sense. So that that's my advocac advocacy of getting out. But also just coming to a public place and you know, making people aware, you know, talking, giving educating Even if you're sitting in a calf or a restaurant, you know, and you can hear the whispers, you know, and and I thought we would you like to ask me a question? Yeah. Do you know what I mean? Yeah. Often people just think I hear what they're saying. Yeah, yeah. I I've just overheard your conversation. Actually, your your conception there is wrong or you know or or I just heard you say that and actually just wanna put your right on something. So it it's yeah, again using your voice and Do you think they're also sometimes afraid to approach blind people? gosh yeah. Yeah. P especially if you stand in with a white cane. but see guide dogs in one way are good because they have that they they're like I've got I've got a I've got a dog hand. I wish my dog was as good as that. Thanks. So yeah, do do you know what I mean? It's yeah, just Do you know what I mean? So straight away straight away the line of communication is opened. Mm. Where with a cane it though I s I Excuse me, what what bus is this? Like, you know, think I know somebody's there And I go and I go, Okay, I'll talk to myself then. sorry, did you yeah, well I asked what bus it was. It's a bit late they have to I mean make people understand that visually impaired people are just ordinary exactly people who may have questions and they shouldn't see a white cane as something like a barrier towards conversation. Yeah. See exactly. See we talk about what barriers are put in our way in in actual fact they see the the white cane as a barrier to 'Cause they don't know how to to communicate with us. Communicate, yeah. Yeah. Yeah. How would you think we could what would you think we could do to change this or improve it? I don't know. It's a hard question. I don't know. I mean aga again I I I just think If you're there, then make the first communication. So, what an isn't this a lovely day? Or this rain's getting on my nerves. That you know, e even if th they don't answer you, you're you're trying to make the communication. They know that actually you may be blind but I I'm I'm clever enough to work out that there is somebody there. Yeah. To do that? Yeah. So yeah. Yeah, I I just yeah, I just think instead of Instead of waiting for the mountain to come to you, going to the mountain. Yeah, approach conversations yourself. Yeah. Yeah. What advice would you give to other visually impaired young people who are facing uncertainty, exclusion, or a major challenge? Okay, so be brave. Be brave. I know I know life is scary and you may have others giving you negative vibes or you know 'cause we're quite ast astute. We think somebody might be talking about us, but y we don't actually know. We just pick up from because you can hear whispering. You know what I mean? But actually they might might not even they might even not be that. So just be brave. and believe in yourself. If you if they think they can do it, believe believe, have belief in yourself. What advice would you give to the general public about how to better understand, support, and include Visually impaired people. Listen. Talk and listen. Ask ask question whether they think it's roomed or not the right thing if I the way I say if you don't ask you don't get and I would rather somebody come up and ask me rather than make their own assumption. You know, like so I I was sitting on my garden wall yesterday and I would you know I've got a pair of cutters in my hand and I'm cutting up, you know And and these people have probably seen me walking down the road with my guide dog, they've seen me walking down the road with my white cane and everything. And they go, Hmm, can she see or not? Like, you know, so if if if there was somebody, I would rather them come up and say, Can I ask you a question? How blind are you? 'Cause you you're you're you're managing to do that okay. Do you know what I mean? Rather than go Hmm, she's faking it and she. She can't be blamed. Cause she's faking it, 'cause she's doing that. Or she need a guide door for. You know what I mean? And so yeah, so I I just yeah, just highlighting that visually impaired people are actually capable of extra dra extraordinary things that you may not expect from them. But they actually can do it instead of doubting them. But maybe be more Just approach them 'cause maybe a lot of the visually impaired people don't mind you asking questions. They're more than happy to share questions. Exactly. Exactly. And I would rather have somebody come up and ask me rather than go off and make their own assumptions and then like you know, they then sort of got put their own mind to it and then and then all of a sudden they don't like you because they think you're you know, and then straight away they every time they see you they they get set back up. So then that puts them in in the you know what I mean. Did I just get the total wrong end of the stick? yeah. Thank you so much for speaking to me today, Tracy. Your inspirational stories, anecdotes, and just your your personality is truly in amazing. It should be an inspiration to everyone. Thank you so much. And I really enjoyed meeting you and yeah and talking to you. So It's been a pleasure. Thank you. Even though we had to shoe a few people away.
