Jason is planning a dance to show us what he sees
Retired runner with ‘less than 10% vision’ tells of DWTS challenge
DANCING With The Stars’ Jason Smyth plans highlighting his disability during a performance to “show what he sees”.
The 100metres and 200metres Paralympics gold medallist is legally blind with his central vision being affected by Stargardt’s disease.
Now Jason, 36, hopes to show off his disability in a special dance with pro-partner Karen Byrne.
Karen said: “When I look at Jason or if he walked past me on the street, I wouldn’t necessarily know he was blind. For us, to get that message across and show what he sees… it was Jason who came to me with that idea.
“He said we should do something with the camera to distort the lens.”
Speaking after his first live show, Jason said: “I am not sure how I feel. I have come in here and I feel I have to try and get out of my comfort zone.
“For Karen, her getting me to dance is her getting out of her comfort zone.
The last few weeks and her ability to do that all came together nicely on Sunday night.
“It wouldn’t be something I’d put myself forward for. It wasn’t a case of ‘Yes, I definitely want to do this’.
“I talked to my wife and once I mentioned it to my daughters they said to go for it.
“I remember the day the show was being announced and I was there in the pink suit, I thought ‘This is real’. I have had a lot of success in sport and I feel like I am putting myself out there to possibly be shot down. There is a big risk here. I have zero dancing experience.”
Retired sprinter Jason, from Derry, opened up about his challenges learning the dance routines.
He said: Physically, I am in good shape, but I am learning to move in directions I have never moved in.
“I run the running track in a straight line and now I am trying to turn. I have less than 10% vision and I can’t look in the mirrors while we are training.”
I’m learning to move in directions I have never moved in JASON SMYTH ON WORK SO FAR AT DANCE SHOW