I was diagnosed with retinoblastoma (Rb) when I was 3 months old and fortunately through the amazing skill of the Doctors and my mum’s awareness to spot something early on I only lost sight in my right eye. I remember from a young age going for yearly check-ups on the eye I had sight in. I remember these days fondly as it felt like a day out from school! Taking the train with my mum and getting lunch at the hospital. I have always tried to see the positives in everything in life and I think this is because of my experience with retinoblastoma. There is always a positive outcome if you are willing to look hard enough for it.
I am very lucky to be alive and I look to put that into my daily life when it comes to taking opportunities or even just slowing down to appreciate what I do have and what I can do, rather than focusing on what I can’t do or what I don’t have. Its not always easy, some days are harder than others, but there is always tomorrow and another opportunity to push yourself forward.
When I was 10 I started playing rugby at Cartha QP Rugby Club. It was a challenge to begin with, like all sports. However, catching and passing with your hands are obviously a key area of the game. Having one eye my depth felt like an issue however, playing rugby and constantly working on my catching and passing skills improved my depth, both on and off the field. I am proud of the fact that I played rugby with Cartha QP through all the junior age groups into senior rugby. I am very proud that I earned the opportunity to play representative rugby for Glasgow at U16s and went on tour to France with the Glasgow Thistles.
I always took for granted how I could play rugby and do a decent enough job at it. However, in 2016 I wanted to run an event to support the Childhood Eye Cancer Trust. I decided to put on a rugby game with my club and the catch was the players had to play with an eye patch. It was great fun and the players struggled slightly with their catching and their awareness of where the opposition was and their teammates. I felt a sense of pride that I was able to overcome that challenge and play rugby or nearly 20 years now.
I wanted to help others grow their confidence and because rugby was such a big influence on me, I wanted to find a way that I could use the sport to be that driver. When I was 16, I left school to become a modern apprentice with Scottish Rugby. The 2-year course taught me how to coach as well as how to develop sport in school, clubs, and communities. I loved every second of my apprenticeship and wanted to continue my career in rugby development.
Since finishing my apprenticeship at 18 I have worked with 10 rugby clubs, countless primary and secondary schools, two unions (Scottish Rugby Union & Malta Rugby Union) and coached different age grade and representative teams.
My eye never once held me back because I never let it. I wanted to find my path and I worked hard to make sure it never defined who I was.
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