“The shock of going blind was almost unbearable. One moment I was on the crest of a wave with everything going my way; the next I went blind, and my life changed forever. I thought my life was over.”

Mark Pollock became blind in 1998. Having to adapt to his sudden change in circumstances has powered him through a series of ever-increasing challenges. This year, the 10th anniversary of his blindness, Mark is part of a team taking part in the South Pole Race, where rowing teams from all over the world will race 800km to the Pole.

Becoming Blind at 22
Mark hadn’t been able to see with one eye since the age of 5, and he also had a series of detached retinas in his good eye due to football impacts as a youngster. The final detachment occurred at age 22, when he was about to sit for University final exams. He expected after an operation that his sight would return, as it always had. Only this time, things were different.

The medics said there was nothing else to be done. Mark felt detached from his identity—he couldn’t take his finals, had to turn down the offer of a banking job in the city of London, and saw no way to live the life he’d planned for. Mark found himself facing a giant mismatch between what he’d wanted to happen with his life, and the reality. He felt bitter, angry, frustrated, and hung his hopes for a while on a quick-fix.

Adapting with Assistive Technology and a Guide Dog
Gradually, though, he began to find a new way forward. He discovered he could use a computer with voice-technology software; he got a guide dog; and he was offered his first job. As his confidence built, he took up rowing again. Within just a few years, he competed at the Commonwealth Games, winning silver and bronze medals.

This was in many ways a steppingstone to a series of increasingly challenging events. In 2003, he completed six marathons in one week, in China’s Gobi Desert. Six years after becoming blind, he completed the world’s most extreme marathon at the North Pole. Since then he has participated in a host of other adventure races—not least, the South Pole Race, planned for November 2008.

Mark says the two biggest triggers for him turning things around were going on a computer course and gaining skills that could give him access to the workplace, and having role models—hearing of other blind people doing things that he aspired to.

Mark’s Advice

1. Face up to facts. Focus on what is, not on what might have been, could have been, or should have been. Get onto the start line and face up to reality.
2. Get your own attitude right. Decide you’ll take some action.
3. Reach out and ask for help. Allow people to help you, and be the type of person that people want to help.

You can read all about Mark’s adventures, his work as a motivational speaker, and the South Pole Race at www.markpollock.com.

This article is based on an interview carried out for BBC Radio Scotland series, Fighting Back. The interview is available for a short time at http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes.

See Related Articles
See Fighting Back 2: SCI Survivor Commits to Wheelchair Marathon Days After Becoming Paralyzed to learn how one man beat the odds after his accident.

For more stories about athletes pushing themselves beyond their disability, see Fighting Back 3: Woman with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Returns to Olympics.