Nicky gets back in the saddle for year of charity challenges

Adventures: Woman aims to live life to the full after sight loss

A blind woman from Carnoustie has gone full throttle on the back of a Harley Davidson as part of a year of challenges.

Nicky Milne, 49, wanted to tick off an A-Z of challenges to prove that people who have lost their sight can still live a full and interesting life.

Nicky turns 50 this year and felt it was a good time to try new things and to revisit some she has not done since her youth in order to raise funds for a cause close to her heart.

The mum-of-three decided to raise funds for North East Sensory Services (NESS) by undertaking “Nicky’s Big Adventures” for her Gold Discovery Award through Angus Council.

Making a cup of tea was a challenge initially.

But now through her sense of touch and by using new technology, she can achieve most things.

“I was on the back of a bike in my 20s but this was a totally different experience,” she said. “It was a bit scary

“

Ihave realised I can still do things although I’ve had to adapt. Sometimes you just need a little bit of extra help

because you are high up but I loved every second of it and it went really well.

“The response to my big adventures has been excellent and it has also encouraged people in a similar situation to try anything.

“I have realised I can still do things although I’ve had to adapt. Sometimes you just need a little bit of extra help.”

Nicky has also gone wakeboarding; taken part in a pottery class; done zumba and now has plans to take up archery.

She was registered partially sighted in the summer of 2017 due to her diabetes and her sight loss left her with no peripheral vision and restricted central vision.

Initially, this was devastating but she has now embraced the sight loss and is determined to help others get out and about and try new things.

She was able to overcome her fear of going out with support from her NESS rehabilitation worker Anne Williams who undertook long cane training which meant she could go out independently.

NESS is an independent local charity and the first integrated service in Scotland. It delivers information, equipment and support to over 6,000 blind and deaf people in the north-east.

If you want to find out more contact Joan Kennedy, fundraising coordinator, NESS on joan.kennedy@nesensoryservices.org or 07720 811896.

gstrachan@thecourier.co.uk

Picture: Gareth Jennings. Nicky Milne rode on the back of a Harley Davidson as part of her A-Z tick list.