Striving to make a difference through running

This April, Nick will be running the London Marathon for RSBC. We sat down with him to find out why he wanted to run for us, and learn a little bit more about his journey so far.

 

Could you tell us a bit about yourself?

I’ve worked at a SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disability) school in Surrey for about 16 years. I’m in the engagement team and my job’s all about helping pupils regulate and manage their emotions. I wanted to work in education because I have a strong desire to have a positive impact on people’s lives and help them reach their full potential.

My hobby is running, and I’ve brought that into work by setting up a cross country club for the children It’s been great fun and given them an opportunity to challenge themselves and to socialise.

 

Tell us a bit about your running journey so far?

Like many people, I’d done a little bit of running. However, during lockdown I got more into it – I was struggling because I like to be out, being active and engaging with things. So my wife suggested I go out for a run and it built up from there to three or four times a week. I’ve now completed several running events, as well as an ultra-marathon. Life can be so busy and I enjoy the mental recharge running gives me.

 

How did you find out about RSBC?

Around a year ago, I did an assisted guided running course through England Athletics, because I wanted to give something back to the running community. During the course I overheard others talking about RSBC and that’s how I became interested in the work the charity does.

 

We understand that someone you know has the condition retinitis pigmentosa.

When I was younger, I knew very little about vision impairment and didn’t realise that it can mean a range of different things. Being blind doesn’t necessarily mean you see nothing. We take our sight for granted.

When I was at secondary school, one of the pupils came to school with her guide dog, so I did have some awareness from an early age. I understood this much better when I met my friend Jono, though, as his dad has retinitis pigmentosa.

He was in his early thirties and a police officer when he began experiencing symptoms. Then his vision started to disappear. He couldn’t drive any more, he had to learn to walk with a cane, and had to get used to moving around the house in a new way. It’s been challenging for him. Thankfully, he’s in a good place now and getting the help that he needs.

Something that Jono said really struck me – his dad’s got seven grandchildren, but he’s never been able to see them all together. That’s a big thing for him. It’s simple things like that, again, that people take for granted.

 

Your recently completed the Fleet Half Marathon wearing glasses that simulated Retinitis Pigmentosa. What that was like?

I wanted to get more of an understanding of the challenges vision impaired people may face if they want to run in an event. Of course, I’ll never be able to fully mimic their experience, but the pair of glasses could simulate it for me. I got some safety specs and painted thick black paint on them, so all I had was tunnel vision. I couldn’t see anything to the side of me, or even my own feet.

On the day, I instantly felt nervous when I put them on. There were so many people around me that I started to question what I was doing and why I was doing it. I’m a confident runner, but I felt very vulnerable. I was running with my best mate, Jono, and I just planted myself on his shoulder and asked if he could see me off at the start.

It was overwhelming and intimidating. I could only see people’s backs and none of the road ahead. Throughout the run, I kept getting bumped into, but eventually I found little pockets of space along the way to avoid injuring myself or someone else. At one point, I was feeling invisible, but then I heard my mate Jono shouting out my name which brought me back and pushed me onwards.

The experience made me really appreciate vision. So often, we take it for granted. It was a real challenge, but I’m very glad I did it.

 

Any final comments, Nick?

I want to help spread the word about RSBC and vision impairment after I’ve completed the marathon, too, and hold an assembly at my school to help raise more awareness. My five-year-old daughter has even got involved after I told her about RSBC – she did a litter-pick by her school, and raised £70 in an hour!

You can donate to Nick’s fundraising page here – Nick Perry is fundraising for Royal Society for Blind Children