Young athlete not deterred by blindness

When Daniel Searle lost his eyesight at age 16, the last thing on his mind was representing his country in one of his favourite sports.But that is what Daniel, now 23, has just done, saying he was ‘over the moon’ when earlier in the year he was named in the Australian Blind Cricket Team, which has just returned from a tour of close rivals, theWest Indies. Growing up I always played sport and was very competitive, said Daniel, whose blindness is caused by the rare eye condition, Leber’s Optic Atrophy. The thing that frustrated me most about losing my sight was not being able to play sport, but then I found blind cricket and I am so happy to be playing, especially with like-minded people. Even when I had my sight I never imagined I would ever get the chance to represent Australia, and I am just over the moon to be doing so for blind cricket – it is the best feeling ever. With the rules and ball based on hearing rather than sight, blind cricket enables people who are blind or vision-impaired to participatein and enjoy a game that all Australians love at a competitive or recreational level.Ironically, it was during an indoor cricket grand final that Daniel realised something was wrong with his vision. It was pretty dangerous because I couldn’t actually see the ball comingout of the bowler’s hand, he said. I was still in a bit of denial. Igot it checked and after that I lost my sight pretty quickly. Daniel has some peripheral vision but cannot make out faces and the world he sees is a blur.Since going blind, he has benefited from the services of Guide Dogs NSW/ACT.From training in how to orientate himself around Charles SturtUniversity where he is studying physiotherapy, to receiving his guidedog and best friend, Bear, Daniel says Guide Dogs has helped him tomaintain his independence and has also improved his confidence. What I have learnt from Guide Dogs has been important to me in terms ofdeveloping my self este as a leader and communicator, both on and offthe field.