Aine Mae Crowley was only 25 years old when she lost her sight.
The Clare woman, now 42, has dealt with her fair share of knockbacks but has proven that not quitting, no matter what, is key to her many successes.
Aine Mae was eight years old when she was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. She began to struggle with her eyesight when she turned 23, while running the café she owned in Ennistymon.
She told this publication: “Not much was known about diabetes at the time, or about any new developments in terms of management. It was quite terrifying.
“When I was about 23, I was struggling to see so I got glasses. When I went to see about it, I was told by consultants I had diabetic retinopathy. I had to close my business and stopped driving almost overnight.”
She was 25 when she lost her eyesight as a result of this health condition. and underwent many procedures, and needed surgery to reattach the retinas. Whilst the surgery was needed to control pressure, and relieve pain, it did not restore her sight.
This meant that the young woman had to adapt her way of living and come to terms with her sight loss.
“I moved back home for a bit because I obviously needed support logistically to get around. I had to think about all of the simple things, right down to how to make a cup of tea, which I would have taken for granted before.”
Aine Mae was understandably shocked and saddened by the news. After a number of weeks, her cousin, whom she grew up with, returned home for the weekend and saw how her life had changed.
She said: “I remember him asking me if I had been out, and I said no. He asked me why. I told him I was worried about not being able to see people or know who I’m talking to. I’ll never forget his words; they were short and simple, but so effective. He simply said, ‘so what?’.”
Those two words were enough to give her the strength to get out there.
I kind of got to the stage of looking for a cure for a long time but my life can’t stop. I wasn’t going to take years out of my life. I thought maybe my sight would come back, but this isn’t a quest for me right now.
“I want to live my life as independently as possible. I moved back out and had to have everything in a particular place, which sounds obsessive and compulsive, but that’s how I have to roll.
“I heard about Fighting Blindness, who look for cures. I linked in with them at the time. I got in touch with all of the resources, support and organisations.”
She took a computer training course and learned to use software designed for people with sight loss, and decided to pursue her dream of working in radio.
“I did a night course in radio programming. I always had an interest in radio, but back in my day, you’d have to go to the likes of Trinity College to do a media course and get involved in that way. Ironically, I had to lose my sight to end up doing what I always wanted to do.”
Aine worked in radio for nine years as a producer, presenter and eventually a manager, responsible for over 90 personnel, including staff and volunteers.
A couple of years ago, she was unfortunately hit with another health setback. Her kidneys were failing and she went on dialysis. Thankfully, she had a successful kidney and pancreas transplant in 2017.
After the transplant, Aine Mae’s life took yet another direction. She decided to step down from the radio and move into motivational speaking and scriptwriting for animation.
Reflecting on years gone by, she said: “There have been low points. There are days where you feel stressed, navigating through life as an unsighted person. I’ve a good support system with my friends and family.
“If anyone is going through this at the moment, I would reach out to Fighting Blindness. Life goes on, but that’s not to say if there was a cure out there tomorrow morning I wouldn’t take it.
“There’s a lot I haven’t seen in life, so I would never rule out. I advocate Fighting Blindness, they are a great team and organisation.
“I’ve proven that you don’t need to have sight to have vision – anyone is capable of anything if they really believe they can achieve it.”
https://www.rsvplive.ie/life/inspirational-clare-woman-aine-mae-32879396
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