Fishing
 I
go fishing on a fairly regular basis and enjoy it very much, however
there are various aspects of fishing that I find difficult because I
have nystagmus. One of the main problems I experience is tying knots
so I now buy as many of the main components already tied. For example
I now purchase hooks that are already tied to nylon. I often tie any
knots very large as I find it easier to manage with. I also have difficulties
when float fishing especially when it is very windy because it creates
ripples and the water reflects the sunlight into my eyes. I have just
recently bought some polarised glasses which should relieve the problem.
I usually fish on the bottom using bite alarms because I do not have
to constantly observe a float which can strain my eyes and all I have
to do I listen out for the alarm.
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Music
I can play the piano and saxophone and because of this
I have come across several problems that are a result of having Nystagmus.
Firstly I can find it difficult to read music if the notes are placed
closely together or if the music is relatively small. I find music with
the notes well spaced, rather than bunched together easier to read.
I have also had difficulties in the past with music stands because I
need the music close to me. If I am standing up I require the stand
to be almost at face level so I can read the music. I really find it
almost impossible to share a music stand because it usually means that
the stand ends up too far away from my eyes.
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Paper Rounds
When I first started a paper round I found it difficult
to read the house numbers from the road especially if the house was
set back from the road or if the number was small. Because of this,
I went round beforehand, which helped me to remember where each house
was.
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Recognising People
Wherever I am I have trouble recognising people that
are a certain distance away. I have to actually cross the road when
I hear someone call my name otherwise, I would have to rely on voice
recognition. This can be very frustrating, especially if it is someone
I do not at all want to talk to. On the other hand there have been times
when I have chosen to ignore a voice that I didn't recognise, and this
has been inappropriate too. If I go to town or to a large shop with
my parents I make a mental note of what they are wearing and I go by
this when attempting to locate them - it usually works.
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Riding a Bike
I think that my dad must have thought that I was just
lazy because I hardly ever rode my first bike, when any other child
would have been in trouble for not stopping! My parents spent hours
trying to teach me to ride a bike, but it took me a long, long time.
I still had stabilisers on at a late stage too because my balance was
not very good. Eventually I managed without them but I still found it
difficult. One of the troubles that I had was that I could not ride
in a straight line very well. This was due to the fact that as my eyes
moved from left to right continuously, the curb appeared to move in
the same way. I always used to try and ride close to the curb and in
a straight line, but it was very difficult for me. My parents would
not let me go far, and were concerned even when they rode out with me.
There was a stage when we sold my bike because of this problem, however
we later got another one because I wanted to try again. This time I
did not rely as much on the curb but instead I just guessed, and amazingly
it seems to have worked a treat. I still have a bike now and I haven't
fallen off or lost my balance for ages. However, I am told that I ride
out into the middle of the road to pass parked cars. This is because
they move, with my eye movement, as I approach them.
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