Louise Eaton decided to take on the epic challenge of walking Snowdon, with her friend Cheryl, in support of Henshaws, here is what she had to say about why she chose to do it and how the experience was for her.
‘Having been blind since I was born, after being given oxygen at birth which damaged my retinas, I have never known the visual delights the world has to offer. Henshaw’s have supported me through the years to set up my own business, helped me transition from an old mobile phone to a smart phone and much more. I wanted to undertake a personal challenge to raise some much needed funds for Henshaw’s to enable them to help others too. I asked my friend Cheryl if she wouldn’t mind helping me, so we hatched a plan to climb Mount Snowdon the highest mountain in Wales and my first ever mountain.’
‘Climbing Mount Snowdon was the most challenging, yet amazing, experience that I have ever achieved. At times it was a struggle, but the adrenaline and the power of the mind kept both body and soul together and helped me keep going on up! I did it as a pilgrimage for myself but also to help other blind people get the support they need. Reaching the top was very emotional. Standing on the summit, Cheryl described the view to me, and while she did so, all around us I could hear school children singing the Welsh National Anthem which brought tears of happiness to my eyes.’
Louise and Cheryl raised over £1,400 in support of others with visual impairments.