When I was two years old, I was hit in my left eye by a chair leg while playing. After several surgeries, my vision was down to just 25%, and my blue iris had been removed. My eye looked like the moon—black with some white patches. Around the age of 21, I underwent two more surgeries on my retina, which reduced my vision to just 2%. Around that time, I started mountain biking. I was still young and didn’t see much danger in it.
Well-trained in “observing”
I think mountain biking has really trained me to “look” carefully. You’re constantly scanning the trail for tree roots and changes in the terrain. When going downhill, I don’t take as many risks—I’m very aware of the dangers because my depth perception is still impaired. Mountain biking is an exciting sport that gives you a huge rush. I also recently started taking tennis lessons. Actually, my ophthalmologist didn’t approve of this because he’s way too afraid that something might happen to my good eye. I love the sound of tennis, the sport itself, and the social aspect as well. I bought a good pair of safety glasses and have had my first three lessons. It takes some getting used to because I see with only one eye, but I’m getting better and better! Actually, I see quite well. I often see better than everyone else. I’m really focused on looking for snakes, lizards, slow worms, and birds. I notice that I see things differently and that others just don’t see anything. In my free time, I’m also often out and about with my nature club for kids: De Aardmannetjes. Being outdoors with animals, kids, and nature—that’s where I feel most at home and completely in my element.
Annual Presentation
At school, I also always give a presentation about my artificial eye at the beginning of every school year. Every year, the new students are curious to see what I look like and want to know more about my artificial eye. About one or two weeks into the school year—once the kids have gotten to know me a little—I give the presentation. This year, I also played the slideshow from the OOG in OOG Association’s website in the background. In one of the photos, I’m standing next to my mountain bike. Then the photo of the woman with the child came up again, followed by the woman with the guitar, and then my photo appeared once more. And every time, the children would shout, “Yay, there she is again!” and then they’d all clap. During gym class, I also lead a few exercises using a blindfold and a tennis ball. This lets the children experience for themselves what it’s like to see with just one eye and to play sports. Double the fun! In everyday life, the only thing I don’t like is driving; I did get my driver’s license when I still had 25% vision, but I don’t enjoy doing it. I’d much rather ride a bike. Traffic is definitely my biggest concern.
Providing information
I enjoy providing information. In the first few years before my eye removal surgery, I was mainly focused on searching for information. Now I’m more focused on providing information. I enjoy providing information to people who are about to undergo an eye removal surgery and who want to know what it’s like to live with an ocular prosthesis. I don’t go to the National Contact Days as much anymore, but I always check the program for an OOG in OOG Day. A few years ago, there was a color analysis session. I really enjoyed that experience. When I go shopping, I still use my color advice: it’s really nice to get that personal attention. I get a new ocular prosthesis every two years, and I’ve had eight so far. I’ve accumulated quite a few, but there have been times when I waited five years because I was so happy with a particular one. If you get one every two years, you could even have a set for darker weather, with a different pupil. At Müller, I get a lot of personal attention—it really feels special! I’m truly very happy about that.
