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Andy Johnson, a 35-year-old father of two from Pwllheli, Gwynedd, experienced a life-changing moment during a hectic morning routine when he accidentally sent his son Oaklen to nursery wearing mismatched shoes. This simple mistake highlighted to Andy that his vision was deteriorating faster than he had realized. Born with retinal dystrophy, a genetic eye condition that gradually reduces sight and can lead to blindness, Andy had long managed with tunnel vision. However, in early 2024, he became aware that his central vision was declining.
Reflecting on the incident, Andy chuckled, “A different style and completely different colours,” explaining how his wife, Danni, only noticed the error at the nursery gate. Both Andy and Danni had previously treated his eye condition as something minor, but the recent worsening of his eyesight prompted a significant shift in their lives. Andy admitted that as his vision worsened, he began to avoid everyday activities due to anxiety, saying, “I wouldn’t cross a road, I wouldn’t take the kids to school.” Danni described their situation as reaching a critical point: “We hit a point where we had to do something.”
Despite being registered blind, Andy found there was little support available, particularly as his condition was a known, inherited one, and his parents were just carriers without experiencing vision loss themselves. He expressed frustration with the lack of guidance from medical professionals, saying, “I didn’t have anyone to speak to about it.” Danni echoed his feelings about the isolation they faced: “When you leave the hospital, you’re on your own, and that’s the scary thing and that’s what I want to change.”
Adapting to this new reality was challenging for the whole family. The couple’s water sports business underwent changes, with Andy moving away from teaching on the water to a managerial position, while Danni obtained her boat-driving accreditation. The emotional toll was significant, too: “They explained it’s like a grieving process, like you’re losing something, really,” Danni said. Encouraged by his wife, Andy undertook cane training and gained a guide dog, Pearlie, steps that helped him regain independence. He continues to be passionate about water sports and helps run accessible sessions for people with sight loss.
Mentally, the adjustment has been tough on Andy, and his children are learning to cope with their father’s disability as well. Danni described the impact on their eldest son Finley as “a form of trauma.” They praised their children’s resilience, noting how naturally they support Andy: “They hold my hand without thinking about it,” Andy shared. For the family, daily life requires constant planning and adjustment. “We are a normal family, but we do have to peddle a lot harder than everyone else to achieve the same,” Danni explained.
Despite these challenges, the couple wants their experience to inspire others. Andy admits that losing his ability to drive has been particularly difficult, as he loves cars and the freedom driving grants. “I’d love to be able to be able to go and do whatever I wanted… with work, especially
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