Fresh from the success of my Race for Life 10K (hopefully) I’ll be running the London Vitality 10K for nystagmus. 

Nystagmus is a condition that apparently affects between 1 in 2000 and 1 in 4000 people so it’s not massively rare but people seem to have not heard of it. It makes my eyes wobble uncontrollably and is worse when I’m tired or stressed, which, being a teacher, is all the time. This means that the world literally shakes when it gets bad meaning it is really hard to see - just wander round shaking your head quickly if you want to experience it for yourself. 

I can’t see in 3D, can’t judge depth and can’t judge distance or speed. I also can only use one eye at a time which gets confusing and will never be allowed to drive.  Crossing roads is always very exciting. It is basically really hard to focus so I hold things really close and hold my head at weird angles even with glasses. 

Fun Nystagmus fact: glasses do nothing for nystagmus so having them doesn’t mean anything is better. 

Nystagmus Network supports people who have nystagmus and their families. It is very hard being in new situations and being independent is very difficult - even finding the toilets in pubs means I tend to go with someone or send someone to scout them out. 

Fun Nystagmus fact #2 being drunk with nystagmus does not ‘balance out’ the not being able to focus, it makes it twice as bad. 

I’d love you to donate to this cause, even if it’s just the price of a pint. The main thing is raising awareness because it’s not obvious if people have it but it’s really hard for them. 

Eye look forward to your money. Donating is a NystagMUST. See what I did there? 

Also, sorry if there are typos but I can’t really read what I’m typing so most of these words have been a gamble. 

I’ll see you, hot and sweaty, at the end of the run.