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Teasing and Bullying

Young people learning judo at a Nystagmus Network Open Day Young people learning judo at a Nystagmus Network Open Day

Sometimes nystagmus can cause problems for you at school, even when you are getting the support that you need in lessons.

Here are a couple of suggestions that some young people with nystagmus came up with,

  • When people are nasty to you, you need to explain about nystagmus - don't be afraid to speak the truth.
  • If there's a problem with seeing something, tell somebody, don't keep it to yourself.
  • Explain to people that glasses and contact lenses don't solve nystagmus.

Explaining nystagmus helps

It often helps if you explain to staff and students what it's like having nystagmus. We know this isn't easy to do for people with nystagmus. For one thing, standing up in front of your class or the school assembly is likely to make you nervous and therefore your nystagmus worse. But if you can do it, it is very effective. Here's an example to give you an idea of what to say.

A presentation by Tom Barton to his school

Today I have decided to talk to you about my visual impairment. As you know, I get bigger worksheets with large print and often use a laptop. In some classes I have a teaching assistant to help me with practical tasks.

My eye condition is called nystagmus. Different things can cause this, but I was born with it and mine is unexplained. A while back I had some tests at Moorfields Eye Hospital in London. These suggest that messages have problems getting along my optic nerves.

Nystagmus means that my eyes constantly flicker. Sometimes I tilt my head to help my eyes focus better. With nystagmus I cannot see things close up or far away. I am also short-sighted and my glasses or contact lenses help with this. There is no cure or anything that can correct my nystagmus.

Some things make my vision worse, like when I watch 3-D films, especially Avatar! I felt very dizzy for about half an hour after watching it. Stairs that are dark are hard for me to see. If I am tired or ill my eyes flicker more so my vision gets worse.

There are some jobs that I won't be able to do like be a pilot or a policeman. I thought about being a surgeon, but I might kill my patients by cutting something vital!! I could still be a different sort of doctor, perhaps an eye specialist.

I try not to let my nystagmus stop me doing things, especially sport. I have joined the Kent Visually Impaired cricket squad and perhaps one day me and my flickering eyes could play for England!

Oh, by the way, the reason I have my suitcase is because all my books are bigger and heavier and I'm only a little guy!!

Thank you for listening. Tom Barton

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