We are delighted to announce our second Stargardt’s Star of 2026, Ellie Dowdy. Here is Ellie’s story:
“I was diagnosed with Stargardt’s in 2022 at 15. Trying to process the diagnosis and the impact it could have on the future was difficult, especially while preparing for GCSE exams in summer 2023. Right before exams, there was a sudden decline in functional vision, so access arrangements had to be quickly modified. There was no time to practise with the new arrangements, so I had to take each exam as it came and not overthink anything too much. Accepting that I needed additional support in lessons and exams was difficult at first, but with the right support it got easier.
Although there are still times it can be difficult to speak up, having staff who understand that some things need modifications so I can access the course like everyone else is helpful. I am currently studying a level 3 in digital and cyber technologies. Understanding the concepts is the easy part, but putting them into practice can be difficult. As far as hobbies go, I started Tae Kwon-Do in 2017 and achieved my first degree black belt in April 2023. I train regularly, support lower grades, and compete against fully sighted competitors, earning many medals.”
Ellie’s advice: “Don’t let other people’s opinion affect your belief in yourself. Be you and be proud of it.”
You can read Ellie’s blog about visual impairment called Vision: Impossible, here: visionimpossibleblog.blogspot.com/
Ellie will also be talking about getting active with Stargardt’s at our next Children and Young People’s Zoom session next Wednesday at 5:30pm (GMT). Here is the link to register: us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/bnvFkhhASl-bimVzxXgiSg
PD: a photo of Ellie wearing her Tae Kwon-Do outfit and her many medals holding up a flag that reads Team GTUK.
#StargardtsConnected #StargardtsStar #TeamGTUK #Star #Stargardts
... See MoreSee Less
