A young Dundee woman who was born deaf and is also now losing her sight due to a rare condition is putting aside her own difficulties to raise money to help others.
Brave Lisa Halley was given the dreadful news two years ago that she is suffering from the rare and incurable Usher syndrome, which is a leading cause of deafblindness.
The inspirational 24-year-old, who grew up with a determination to lead a normal life, attending mainstream schools and being taught to speak by her parents Gaynor and Norrie, says the prospect of losing her sight completely is “terrifying”.
However, in spite of her deteriorating condition, Lisa, who lives with her parents in the Ninewells area, is determined to see and experience as much as she can before her sight disappears completely, at the same time helping others.
Ironically, she was recently given cochlear implants, allowing her to hear sounds for the first time.
Already she has raised money for Deafblind Scotland by abseiling off the Forth Bridge and is now preparing for a “scary” trek up the Grand Canyon next year to raise even more funds.
Lisa said: “Ushers is very rare and not many people, including my doctor, have heard of it.
“I was born deaf so I am used to my deafness but my eyes have been my eyes and ears and now to find out I will lose my sight is terrifying. I’ve already lost my side visions and have night blindness.
“When I got diagnosed with Ushers I felt very scared and alone and so did my parents especially as we had no help or information.
“Someone told me about Deafblind Scotland and they have been so helpful and caring, we didn’t feel so alone.
“They gave me enough confidence so that in May 2013 I freestyle abseiled off the Forth Rail Bridge and organised a coffee morning as well which was also for DeafBlind Scotland.
“This year I will be getting a dual guide dog which is a hearing and guide dog put into one amazing animal.
“I really can’t wait to meet him or her. I lost a lot of confidence when I was diagnosed with Ushers but now I have decided I am not going let it bring me down.
“To people who say I can’t do things, I will stand on top of the Grand Canyon and I will put on the biggest smile I can and wave saying ‘guess what, I can and I will’.
“It will be a massive challenge especially with no side vision and night blindness, add on the narrow track edges with big drops. What a scary, fun thought but I am determined to do it.
“I would like to raise much-needed funds and awareness for Guide Dogs for the Blind so more people can have their lives changed for the better.
“I have only got a year to raise £5,000, but it will be so worth it.”