The Life of a GSP Intern by George Plumridge

My name is George Plumridge, and I’m currently undertaking the GSP internship through Thomas Pocklington Trust. I used to be a primary school teacher, but life had other plans for me, thanks to my eye condition, retinitis pigmentosa. In this blog, I will be sharing my journey thus far and how the internship has changed my life!

Taking the Plunge – My Journey to the GSP Internship

Let’s start at the beginning. Picture this: a stressed out teacher hiding his deteriorating sight like it was some secret. Keeping my condition under wraps led to massive stress and anxiety. Then, last summer, I hit my breaking point and decided that enough was enough. It was time to wave goodbye to teaching.

Leaving teaching felt like stepping off a cliff. I thought I’d be stuck at home, unemployable, and would retreat into being a hermit. But then, I discovered the GSP internship at TPT. It has transformed my outlook on my visual impairment and my future. Throughout this blog, I’ll share my experiences and insights from this life-changing internship.

Embracing Change – My Role at the Nystagmus Network

I’m now an Information Support Officer at the Nystagmus Network, a small but incredible charity. Working remotely from home, with the occasional event to spice things up, has been a game changer for giving me the time to process and gradually adapt my way of life within the comfort of my own home.

My job involves answering enquiries, creating and hosting fundraising campaigns, and supporting peer support groups. I’m also developing resources for children with Nystagmus to help them access the curriculum in primary schools. Being part of the awareness, funding and support committees has given me a crash course in the charity sector. It has been great to get stuck into such a variety of elements that make a successful charity work.

Fridays with TPT

Fridays are my favourite! They’re dedicated to skill development and personal growth through TPT. These sessions aim to build resilience, confidence and tackle various challenges faced by visually impaired individuals.

This week, I have begun to master JAWS. As a new user of this accessible tech, I found it extremely overwhelming to begin with, but with the ongoing support from TPT’s tech team, I am now finding myself becoming more and more confident each and every day.

One highlight was an in-person event at TPT’s hub in London on building confidence and public speaking. Overcoming my initial nervousness, I shared my journey with my peers, something I had never spoken about so freely to a group of people before, it was such a massive confidence boost. These Fridays aren’t just about skill-building, they’re about building a support network and learning from each other’s experiences, something that has been invaluable towards contributing to me ‘coming to terms’ with my sight loss.

Mentorship and Peer Support

A key component of this internship has been the mentorship programme. My mentor has been a source of inspiration and guidance, helping me navigate the challenges of visual impairment.

One piece of advice that resonated with me was: “Sight loss is something you will never get over, but it is something you will learn to live with.” This perspective has shown me that it’s ok to not be ok and that, with the right tools and positive attitude, I am more than capable of achieving anything I want to achieve.

Meeting other visually impaired interns and sharing our stories has been incredibly therapeutic. It has given me the reassurance that I needed when coming to terms with my sight loss, and it is just invigorating to speak to others who just ‘get it!’.

Looking Ahead – A New Lease of Life

Reflecting on my journey so far, I realise how much my attitude towards my visual impairment has changed. The internship has provided numerous opportunities for personal and professional growth that I never imagined possible.

Five months into this internship, I am a completely different person. My confidence has soared, and my outlook on life has transformed. I’ve learnt to accept my sight loss and see it as a part of who I am, not something that limits me.

The combination of hands-on experience at the Nystagmus Network, the supportive environment at TPT and the incredible people I’ve met along the way have all contributed to my growth. I now have a renewed sense of purpose and a clearer vision (excuse the pun) for my future.

Moving forward, I am excited to continue developing my skills, embracing new challenges and advocating for others with visual impairments. This internship has shown me that there are endless possibilities and that a fulfilling, successful career is within reach.