A woman whose sight “could go missing any minute” is giving away her car after being told she can’t drive.
Bethany Beeson, 24, from Cleethorpes suffered a head injury and scans also revealed she had a genetic disorder called retinitis pigmentosa.
This means that the rods and cones in her eyes that allow her to see aren’t working properly and Bethany will one day go blind – which can happen at any time.
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After hearing the news in June last year, Bethany wanted to do something positive with her diagnosis and decided to help someone else by giving away their car.
She says the money raised will be used to pay off the car’s remaining financing and any additional funds will be donated to Moorfields Eye Hospital in London for research.
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She said: “During the pandemic I was working in a psychiatric hospital and suffered a head injury. After a series of scans, I was diagnosed with a genetic disorder called retinitis pigmentosa.
“The disease affects how the rods and cones in my eyes perceive color and light.
“I was told I could lose my eyesight.
“I was told by Moorfields Eye Hospital in London that I needed to tell the DVLA that I have limited peripheral vision.
Retinitis pigmentosa is a group of rare genetic disorders that involve the breakdown and loss of cells in the retina – the light-sensitive tissue that lines the back of the eye.
Common symptoms include blurred vision at night and loss of side (peripheral) vision.
“I did the visual field test and got a medical license.”
However, Bethany has now been told she can no longer drive.
She explained: “Last week I received a letter saying my driver’s license was canceled because I didn’t meet the standards required to drive.”
After finding out, Bethany knew she had to get rid of her car and decided to turn her situation into a positive one.
Bethany Beeson, 24, was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa and was told she could no longer drive
(Image: Bethany Beeson)
She said: “I got my car, a Hyundai i10 SE Connect, last April. Rather than sell it I figured I’d do something positive with it and raise money to pay off the financing and give someone a car in the process.
“It could be a way for someone who can’t afford a car to get one and any extra money raised I can give to Moorfields Eye Hospital in London to do more research on diseases like mine.
“As it stands there is no treatment for retinitis pigmentosa. But it will get someone a car and we can help raise funds to find a treatment.”
Speaking about her diagnosis, Bethany said it came as quite a surprise.
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She said: “I was completely shocked.
“I had a head injury and was told I had an inherited genetic condition, although no one on either side of my family has ever had a vision problem.
“Unfortunately, the genetic tests were inconclusive, so I have no idea where the disease came from.
“The whole thing has had a massive impact on my life.
Bethany raffles off her car after being diagnosed with a degenerative eye disease
(Image: Bethany Beeson)
“I lost my license and had to quit my job as an assistant psychologist, which has severely impacted my mental health.
“Everyone knows I’m a workaholic, so not being able to do my job is awful.
“It completely turned my life upside down.”
Speaking about the future, Bethany said she is quite concerned that she could lose her sight at any time.
She explained: “It could be months, it could be years, but they can only estimate how long it will be before my eyesight begins to fail.
“Right now my peripheral vision is really bad, which makes me incredibly angry, but it’s terrifying that it could start at any moment.
“I have no idea when it’s coming and I might even give it to my kids, which is a terrifying thought.
“This whole thing changed my life.
Bethany hopes to raise money to pay off the car financing and fund research into eye treatments
(Image: Bethany Beeson)
“I don’t know where to go from here, it’s something I just have to get used to and adapt to a new way of life.”
To enter the prize draw and help Bethany reach her goal, click here.
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