Because I can’t see, I just don’t feel dizzy or sick when I do spins
Horror crash sidelines Perri’s partner
thanks to a psychiatrist’s expertise and support from friends and family. She got pregnant and by the time she gave birth to Edward – a happy, cuddly and placid boy she calls an “angel baby” – she was through the worst of her depression.
Edward has given Libby a new perspective, of having something more important than her passion for athletics. She says: “He’s also taught me full-time training is a breeze compared to childbirth.”
Libby needed an emergency caesarean but, despite the traumatic birth, was training again two months later.
She said: “I felt like
I’d inherited someone else’s body. I
LIBBY CLEGG HAPPILY TALKS HER BLINDNESS
ABOUT didn’t like that feeling, and knew the longer I stayed away the more I’d struggle. So I started with low-level training.” Libby and Dan’s relationship is even stronger since surviving
PRO skater Vanessa Bauer was forced to pull out of last night’s Dancing On Ice. She hit her head, right, on a wall in rehearsals. Her celeb partner Diversity’s Perri Kiely, 24, who is the bookie’s favourite to win, took part in the the strain, and they would like to get married. “But we’re so busy – and it’s so expensive.”
Libby clearly feels at her best being busy and she has easily taken to motherhood.
She says: “I can see Edward’s face and gorgeous blue eyes because I take loads of pictures and zoom in on them.
“If I’m a bit worried he’s unwell or has got group routines without her. Medics ordered a week’s rest for Vanessa, 23, who said: “I am gutted. ITV is super cautious and takes care of us skaters. “Head injuries are no joke and the consequences can be very serious.” Vanessa and Perri were not due to skate this weekend but last week they earned 27.5 points out of 40 for their debut routine. a rash, I take picture and send it to my mum. There are always ways around things.
“I’m competent at doing lots of things and know where my restrictions are. There are a lot of things people don’t understand about being blind. Some assume that because you can’t see, you’re incompetent. But there are many very able blind people.”
Libby not only hopes to impress Dancing on Ice’s celebrity judges but to change preconceived ideas about blindness.
“I don’t want people to go, ‘Oh, that poor blind person’ and feel sorry for me, because I have a lovely life. I want to do well to help break stereotypes, and because I love skating.
“Until recently, I felt 95% back to my old self. Then I began skating and won back that extra little bit of confidence. I’m really happy.” ■ Dancing on Ice, ITV, Sunday, 6pm.
My sparkly firework vision is scrunched up. It is brilliant, colours are highlighted