2 days ago
Blind West Lothian man opens up on 'isolation' after rare diagnosis at 17
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A West Lothian man who was diagnosed with a rare condition as a teenager has opened up on 'isolation'.
Neil Atkinson, 26, was told he had Stargardt's Disease at only 17-years-old. The condition causes progressive vision loss, though this hasn't stopped him from living his life.
Neil, who lives in Armadale, is now set to compete in one of the UK's top disability football events after his team reached the final of the FA Disability Cup. He says joining Merseyside Blind and Visually Impaired football club has 'completely changed his life'.
"Sight loss can be incredibly isolating, so my role focuses on helping people connect with others," he explains. "I manage a team of volunteers who run regular social groups and activities, and I also deliver awareness sessions to local organisations so they can be more accessible.
'Playing in the British Partially Sighted Football League changed my life. It gave me the chance to keep playing football at a high level, even after my sight got worse."
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"I'd recommend it to anyone in a similar position."
Merseyside will face off against Birmingham in the partially sighted final at St George's Park on June 28.
Neil added: "It's a huge achievement for us as a group.
(Image: Royal National Institute of Blind People/Will Cheshire)
"To reach the showpiece fixture at the end of the season is a reward for the hard work we've done over the past 10 months. We had to play a lot of games with a very small squad on the day, but the commitment was there. We deserve to be in the FA Cup final.
"I believe that many of the players in our league would stand a chance at the professional game if it wasn't for their sight loss. To have an alternative where we can reach the highest level in our own format is really important."
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Neil has also been invited into the England Partially Sighted squad, and will join them for a training camp in Turkey later this year.
He added: "It's exciting to be back involved with the England set-up.
"The trip to Turkey will be my first time travelling with the squad, so I'm looking forward to that. But first, I'm focused on finishing the season strongly."
