Hi! I'm Cressida and I've been visually impaired since birth. Because of this I have faced many challenges and obstacles in my life, most of which I have overcome! One of the biggest challenges I've wanted to overcome since I was 15 is travelling! All my life my eyesight seemed to get in the way. A lot of opportunities throughout my school years have always gone to those more able. Time and time again I have made it my mission to prove I can do as much as anyone else. That's exactly what travelling will mean for me!

Due to a few circumstances in my life, travelling was just never an option. I've been dreaming about it for at least 5 years now! I thought I was finally going to get there in the year 2020 but due to the pandemic it just didn't happen. I've always seen travelling as a way for me to overcome one of my biggest challenges yet and to prove I can do anything despite having a visual impairment. Not only to everyone who ever doubted my capability, but to myself. It will boost my confidence in ways I just can't put into words. I truly feel this is my chance to prove having a visual impairment is merely just an excuse and rather than letting it hold me back, I'm going to travel, explore, educate myself on the ways of the world, and hopefully inspire other individuals with an impairment that they can do anything they put their mind to!

I feel that having an experience like this will impact the wider blind and low vision community. I want to be that person that comes to mind when they daydream about their own travels. If I could do it, surely they could too. They absolutely can! This in itself would mean so much. 

Going to the UK will give me the opportunity to really learn about the world around me, experience a whole new culture and community, learn new skills, see new things, and again give me that confidence boost which will affect my life in so many ways. I feel as though it will allow me to appreciate my culture that much more, and more open minded and diverse.

This isn't just about me, but about other young people who may have their own obstacles or circumstances that's keeping them from doing what they want to do. I want to inspire them. I'm a firm believer of the saying "where there's a will, there's a way" and there absolutely is!! 

Thank you for taking the time to read my story!