Chloe was just about to finish her first year at secondary school. She has ocular albinism, a genetic condition which increases sensitivity to light and decreases the sharpness of vision. Chloe also has nystagmus which causes her eyes to move uncontrollably and makes it difficult to focus and to see the world in three dimensions.
She worked with our Family Practitioner Jody in year six. Jody helped her transition from primary to secondary school. “I was able to tell her when things were not working at school,” Chloe says. Mum Rachel describes the sessions as ‘one of the highlights of Chloe’s week.’ Chloe says secondary school felt odd at first. It took a while for all the teachers to understand her sight loss and help her by making her work accessible. Jody helped give her the confidence to speak up and it got better over time.
She also has to contend with a big road by the school, so her mum walks with her. This must be hard for Chloe when others her age can be more independent. However, Chloe won’t be held back. She plays football, trampolines and swims. She also attends Guides and plays the drums. And she got the part of Eugene in the school production of Grease.
Her first loves are trampolining, because she takes part in competitions, and football, as she plays for a disability football team and gets to meet others with nystagmus.
She’d like to give everybody with nystagmus or sight loss the message that it doesn’t have to stop you.
