'I went to the opticians for new glasses... but left with a life-changing diagnosis'
24.02.2024 - 11:33
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
A British student hopes to become the fist deafblind person to reach the summit of Mount Everest after reaching base camp last year - and deciding she must make as many memories as possible before she risks losing her sight for good.
Karolina Pakenaite, a 28-year-old PhD student in Computer Science at the University of Bath, plans on climbing the highest mountain on Earth in April 2026 after completing a series of "warm-up challenges".
These include climbing three of the world's highest peaks, running the London Marathon and attending an ice climbing training course in Scotland.
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Karolina, from Southport, Merseyside, was diagnosed with Usher syndrome, a rare degenerative condition, which causes progressive deafness and blindness, after going to the optician's for what was supposed to be just a new pair of glasses in 2015.
Upon learning that one day she could lose her sight completely, Karolina decided there was no time to waste and embarked on a quest to make precious visual memories while she still has some vision.
She currently has limited peripheral vision and experiences night blindness, and therefore relies on her guide dog, Bosley; a cane, or guide to help her get around.
If all goes to plan, she will become the world's first deafblind person to reach the summit of Mount Everest in April 2026 and has already started "intensive" physical training.
Karolina, who is registered blind, has launched a fundraiser for £100,000 to help pay for training, equipment and her assistance team.
"I was initially really sad about my diagnosis, but the future looked much brighter if I had many memories to look back on," she said.
"I therefore took every