IRLAM MAN EXPLAINS CHALLENGES OF RUNNING IN THE CITY WITH SIGHT LOSS

A man from Irlam who has sight loss says the roads and pavements in Greater Manchester are so challenging he almost injured himself running – but has vowed to carry on with the hobby he loves.

Gareth Smith, 43, a risk manager, says he initially tried using a cane to help him navigate the paths and roads around the city when he was diagnosed with the genetic condition, retinitis pigmentosa, seven years ago, but almost hurt himself.

He says:

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“A fully sighted runner will keep their head up straight and look forward. I can’t do that. I could miss the ground and trip up. I have to make sure I’m looking down and ahead but there will be some times where I can’t. 

“And because of the pavements around the city, it hasn’t taken long for me to almost spear myself with my cane because it gets caught on raised paving stones.”

 

The father-of-three had a white cane shortly after being diagnosed but was concerned about it making him stand out when he was in public, so didn’t use it straight away.

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“It’s taken me a number of years to get to various levels of acceptance,” Gareth explains. “I guess I had the British stiff upper lip and just got on with it. I spent a long time not asking for help, but just doing things.”

Gareth’s condition mean he has tunnel vision and has diminished night vision, meaning he almost has no sight when it’s dark.

Determined not to let that stop him, he wanted to do something positive during the Covid lockdowns and maintain a healthy lifestyle, with exercise he enjoyed, so he decided to take up running.

On social media, he has posted videos of how those without visual impairments run with a segment showing how he runs with his condition.

Initially, Gareth went running around local streets, footpaths and pavements around central Manchester, where he lives, because he felt safer using these routes as he knew them.

But as he has grown in confidence, he’s begun branching out to do longer routes and more complicated ones. In 2021, he ran his first 13-mile half-marathon at the Greater Manchester Run on behalf of sight loss charity, Henshaws. 

His brother-in-law ran with him for support and help, and now, he’s preparing for the Chester Marathon, set to take place in October, and is excited about the event, which he’s also doing to raise money for Henshaws. Family and friends will be there to cheer him on.

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“I’ve started training for it already to give it sufficient time,” he says. “I’m not worried about the distance. My aim is to complete it without having to stop or walk.”

Gareth says those with disabilities should consider running as a hobby, and he urged those thinking about it to do what’s ‘best for you’.

He says:

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“One thing I have tried to promote is there is always something you can do to be physically healthy. For me, it’s remembering not to let your disability stop you. Don’t let your disability put you off.”

And he wants politicians and lawmakers to think about those with visual impairments when it comes to safety on our streets, roads and pavements.

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“I would encourage those to use vision simulator, such as simulation glasses,”

he says.

“I have a handful of glasses which will show you different levels of visual impairment. Spend a little time in that environment. Understand what it is like to have a visual impairment.”

Stephen Tongue, Director of Fundraising at Henshaws, says:

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“We are thrilled to have Gareth supporting our charity. His efforts have already raised much-welcomed money and we can’t wait to see how he gets on at the Chester Marathon later this year.”

You can donate to Gareth’s fundraising efforts on his JustGiving page. To find out more about Henshaws visit their website.