Around 10 years ago my dad, who is turning 70 this year, was diagnosed with a combination of sight problems that will progressively cause him to lose his sight. Medical science was helpful in describing the problem to him but unfortunately has few answers when it comes to what can be done or, crucially, how my dad can continue to live a "normal" life as his eyesight worsens.
This is where Plymouth Guild's Hearing and Sight Centre has helped dad more than any other organisation or institution. What he needs is to be able to talk to a group of people who have experienced problems similar to his own and who can suggest practical adaptations that he can make to his life that will allow him to continue doing the things he loves for as long as possible. Nobody can deliver a magical cure, but the HSA have certainly helped my dad deal with the impact that this condition is having on his life.
My dad has been and, at this point, continues to be my constant walking companion and the person who inspired my need to be surrounded my nature. I still walk the South West Coast Path and the footpaths of the Tamar Valley AONB with my dad when I can but now now I inevitably have to continue some of the more demanding hiking challenges with others or alone. This year, in order to honour my dad's tradition and to raise money to help raise money for the HSA and Plymouth Guild, I have decided to complete the following goals:
* Walk more than 650 miles across the whole year
- Individual walks must be more than 2.5 miles in order to be count
- Walks must take place predominantly in nature
- Urban walking, such as walking to and from work, do not count
* Walk Hadrian's Wall (26th/31st May)
* Complete the Race to the King Double Marathon (25th/26th June)
* Complete the Race to the Stones Ultra Marathon (16th/17th July)
* Complete The Saints Way (30 miles across Cornwall, coast to coast)
* Walk the Jurassic Coast to complete the South West Coast Path
