Mum praises north-east Scottish sensory loss charity for helping her son to ‘blossom’
North East Sensory Services logo
The mum of young boy with sight loss has praised a north-east sensory loss charity for making a “phenomenal difference” and helping him “blossom”.
Bri Wignall said being able to meet other children with sight loss through a group run by North East Sensory Services (NESS) has helped her son Ruairidh make friends. Now, Bri is taking on the Speyside 100k ultramarathon to raise money for NESS.
Her family first became involved with the charity last December after Ruairidh – who would hurt himself daily by accidentally running into and falling over things – was diagnosed with sight issues, including peripheral vision loss. He may also have a cerebral visual impairment, meaning moving objects don’t translate from his brain to his eyes, which leads to objects ‘disappearing’ from his sight.
Ruairidh and his family have become involved in NESS’s Young People’s Sensory Service (YPSS) in Moray, which offers tailored practical and emotional support to young people with sensory loss and their families. The service also involves clubs, groups, and a school holiday activity programme and is aimed at increasing confidence, independence, social skills and ambition in children.
Photo by Wignall family: Ruairidh (middle) taking part in a YPSS climbing session.
As well as receiving practical help such as providing large print books and advice on writing font size, Ruairidh has been ice skating and climbing with his YPSS group and is planning to attend a barbecue and trampoline park.
Bri“From the start, they made Ruairidh feel welcome. He turned to me and said, ‘Oh, they're like me. I have friends now.’ It was quite moving because he does his best to make friends, fit in and do well, but I think he always feels like he's different. He felt like they were his group, and he is very excited. We're about to go along with him to a barbecue and then to trampoline, and he can't wait.
It’s a way for him to feel like he actually fits in with people, and they understand, and they were all so welcoming and kind to him, and it made him feel comfortable. It takes a lot for him to feel that way, so it's meant a lot to us.
We saw the phenomenal difference it made for him to feel welcome and seen and understood. He knew that there were other people like him and saw older kids he could see as role models who had visual and hearing impairments, who were doing phenomenal things - doing well in school and doing activities and having fun - and who came straight over and befriended him and treated him like a little brother. That is when he just blossomed and he feels so much better now.
It's helped him understand that he's different, and it's okay. He doesn’t mind as much now because he knows he’s got his friends, and he knows that he can go to school and make friends.”
Ruaridh, who is autistic, is due to start at Mosstowie Primary School this month and his mum, who is a teacher at Elgin Academy, said she had also seen through her work how much NESS helps people through both primary and secondary school, and how much that means to someone who feels different.
Before he starts, Bri will run the Speyside Way 100k on Saturday August 15 to raise money for NESS. She has already met her fundraising target of £500 but would love to raise around £1,000, but also stressed the importance of raising awareness of the charity’s work.
Photo by Wignall family. Shows Bri Wignall a blue top and carrying a red rucksack and a black walking pole, training for her ultramarathon on a hill track, with the sun setting behind her.
Having been a keen distance runner in school, Bri didn’t tackle her first ultra race until March, when she completed her first half marathon, marathon, ultra and 100k all in one day, through the Highland 8 Hour Challenge at Glenmore. She then tacked the Cairngorm to Coast 100km hike and bike in May before setting up her fundraiser.
She also planned to take part in a challenge involving running up and down Snowdon as many times as possible in 24 hours as part of the fundraiser, but the event was cancelled due to the heatwave.
Bri“I just thought to myself ‘I'm doing ultras. I want to do something good for somewhere, and I thought, why wouldn't I just do this for NESS? They help so many people, and especially young school age people that just need to be understood and seen. So, I thought they were the right people for me to try to help, especially because they've helped my son so much so quickly.”
NESS supports thousands of blind and deaf people, and those with visual and hearing loss, across Angus, Dundee, Moray, Aberdeen, and Aberdeenshire. The charity’s main objective is to help people with sensory loss live as independently as possible. NESS runs YPSS groups in Aberdeen, Moray, Dundee and Angus.
Diana Daneels, YPSS coordinator at NESS"It's been great to hear how much attending the YPSS group has helped Ruairidh. It's clear to see that he loves coming along and he's enjoyed climbing and ice skating. We're really grateful to Bri for choosing to fundraise for NESS as every penny raised will go to help young people like Ruairidh and others in the north-east with sensory loss, and we wish her good luck for her challenge."
Bri’s fundraiser can be found here: Bri’s does ULTRAS for North East Sensory Services | Just Giving.
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