Professional darts player Searle is facing an ongoing challenge due to an incurable eye condition. This situation significantly affects his ability to compete, especially during crucial moments of the game. Despite this, he aims to inspire others who suffer from similar conditions.
Searle’s Journey with Vision Impairment
In a candid statement, Searle revealed that he has struggled with his vision for most of his life. “It was only in the last 18 months that I realized what the diagnosis was,” he shared. Diagnosed with a hereditary eye condition, he wears contact lenses to alleviate some blurriness, yet his vision remains compromised.
During competitions, Searle often finds himself in difficult situations where he must ask officials for his scores. His openness about these challenges serves to encourage others facing visual impairments to engage with the sport.
Raising Awareness and Funds
Recently, fellow darts player Littler disclosed undergoing surgery at Warrington Hospital for strabismus, a condition that misaligns the eyes. In an effort to combat his own challenges and help others, Searle has raised over £10,000 for the Cure ADOA Foundation.
- Searle has organized raffles with donated shirts from tournament opponents to gather more funds.
- He has a personal motivation behind his fundraising: his daughter is registered as visually impaired.
Searle expressed his hope for future advancements in treatment that could benefit his children. “It’s a hereditary condition, so I’ve passed it to both of my children,” he noted. While his son experiences milder symptoms, Searle’s daughter faces significant vision difficulties.
Looking Ahead
His daughter can only see well up to six feet, after which her vision worsens dramatically. Searle’s commitment to raising awareness not only aims to inspire others but to foster potential breakthroughs in eye care. This dual focus on personal experience and community engagement highlights the impact of vision problems in sports and life.
