Forum gives Jennifer a new view of life

By Bill Gibb

BORN three months premature, Jennifer Murray was so small she fitted into the palm of a hand.

At just 1lb 13oz she weighed less than a bag of sugar and the outlook was bleak.

It w as touch-and-go whether she’d survive.

Even when Jennifer did defy the odds, she was faced with a mountain of challenges.

Partial deafness and mild cerebal palsy were just a couple.

But prime among them was blindness, something that has impacted hugely on every aspect of her life.

Now though, Jennifer’s fortunes have been transformed, through her positivity and an acclaimed RNIB youth initiative.

“I was really tiny and so premature that I had to have lots of oxygen,” Jennifer, now 24, told The Sunday Post.

“That burst blood vessels at the backs of my eyes and I was left with retinopathy prematurity.

“When I was still very small a new laser procedure, which had been developed in America, was tried.

“But there was just a 50/ 50 chance of success. Sadly, it didn’t work.”

It was a few years before it was realised that Jennifer also had hearing p ro b l e m s, although hearing aids have largely dealt with these.

She can only tell the difference between light and darkness, being aware of HAGGEYE is the awardwinning youth forum of RNIB Scotland. It brings tog ether blind and partiallysighted people ( aged 12 to 25) f ro m a c ro s s Scotland.

Haggeye a l l ow s members to campaign fo r change, to make new friends, discuss issues of concern, and take the lead in determining what the activities they undertake. when the sun is out or when a light has been switched on.

“I think if I’d had sight and lost it things would have been even more difficult for me,” says the Glasgow girl.

“But there have certainly been challenges as I grew up.

“I went to the Royal Blind School in Edinburgh for six years.

“It was a specialist school with smaller classes than mainstream schools, but there were things in terms of preparing you for the future

Numbers have grown hugely since it began and trips undertaken include a visit to the Houses of Parliament. They also work w ith the Sco t t ish Parliament.

The next event will take place in Galashiels on Saturday, August 23. You can contact the forum at Haggeye@ rnib. org. uk that could have been done better.”

Jennifer did an HNC at Cardonald College and then went on to do a BA with Honours in Spanish at the University of the West of Scotland.

But the pace of learning and of life were a challenge.

And that’s where the Haggeye forum has made a massive difference.

“It’s helped so much with my confidence,” says Jennifer.

“You get to know so many other people in a similar situation to you.

“Everybody is accepting, not judging, and you can see how each person develops.

“So many people come out of their shell, people who maybe were unsure about standing up in front of a group.

“In my case it’s made me such an independent traveller.

“Before, I would never get on a train myself.

“But because there are events up and down the country, I now travel all over – and that’s thanks to Haggeye.”

Jennifer has used her newfound independence to the full.

As part of her degree course she spent a year teaching English in Murcia in Spain.

She says it was an unforgettable experience.

And, following graduation, she has just learned that she will be able to go back and spend more time teaching.

“Haggeye has played a massive part in my life,” adds Jennifer.

“I’ve done so much and had I not got involved I don’t know what I’d be doing now.”