Claire Caruana meets a young woman who has an eye condition called nystagmus which impairs her vision but not her determination to succeed in life.

At 25, Solange Abela shows great determination not to let an eye condition impede her from leading a normal life.

She was born with nystagmus, a disorder where the eyes make rapid, involuntary movements, often resulting in reduced or limited vision. Nystagmus may exist at birth, develop spontaneously, or may be a result of a pre-existing neurological disorder. It affects an estimated one in every 1,000 persons.

“I am partially blind,” says Solange. “It’s not something genetic as nobody in my family even wears glasses.”

Over the years she adapted to the condition, which, for example, makes it difficult for her to distinguish between various objects.

You need to understand your condition, fully accept it and then use all your strength to conquer it

“I cannot identify different steps in a staircase. But I am so used to it by now that I don’t even realise that I can’t see the different steps.”

Yet this does not mean that the condition has not complicated her life.

Solange cannot drive and occasionally has to use a walking stick, especially when walking in the dark and when visiting new places.

To be able to read, the text must be in a big, thick and black font on a white background. She also needs to wear glasses.

“Bus numbers, for instance, are a main problem. The numbers are hard to read, especially if the bus is moving. Since I can’t drive, it can be difficult to travel unless someone drives me around.

“At a museum I can’t enjoy the experience properly because labels are very often too small. Restaurants tend to have menus with small text and unless I have someone with me, I am not able to read them.”

She claims that stress and anxiety make the condition worse and her eyes tend to move more than when she is calm or relaxed.

Yet all this hasn’t stopped her from pursuing a career. She is a learning support assistant (LSA) at St Albert the Great College and is also reading for a degree at University.

“People with nystagmus need to focus three times harder than normal. At university, if we are asked to look at a diagram or carry out research at the library, I need to make arrangements myself.”

Solange admits she is not shy about her condition and willingly tells colleagues, friends and even students about nystagmus.

“I tell people about it and this helps them understand. At the start of the scholastic year I always give a presentation on nystagmus to my students. This makes it easier for me and at the same time I am raising awareness about the condition.”

She is in fact planning a special presentation for both her colleagues and students to mark International Nystagmus Awareness Day, also known as Wobbly Wednesday, which this year falls on November 5.

She admits her parents helped instil in her a positive attitude from a very young age.

“Luckily enough my parents always urged me to aim high. And they never let me use my condition to make excuses.

“I have a younger sister who doesn’t have nystagmus, and yet we were always treated equally while growing up. This helped tremendously,” she says.

Solange is also the general secretary of Breaking Limits, an NGO seeking to increase inclusion and empower people with disability. She joined this cause because she believes there is room for improvement on a national level in this regard.

As regards nystagmus, she urges parents to monitor babies’ eye movements so as to have the condition diagnosed as early as possible.

“Nystagmus is easily diagnosed and it’s crucial to do this at an early stage to be able to adapt.

“Eye care should be taken very seriously. A regular check-up is always a good way to ensure everything is fine, even though one has no known issue.”

Solange believes that before attempting to bring about change in society, one has to come to terms with disability and living with it.

“You need to understand your condition, fully accept it and then use all your strength to conquer it.

“My disability doesn’t limit me because I don’t allow it to.”