A BRAVE Greenock woman who lost her sight overnight has spoken 10 years on about surviving her darkest days - and how she has turned her disability into a 'gift'.

Greenock Telegraph: Claire Forde

Claire Forde was a schoolgirl with dreams of studying modern languages at university when a shunt she had fitted for hydrocephalus malfunctioned and she was left blind.

But from the very beginning she refused to be defeated, going back to repeat her final year at school.

Despite suffering setbacks along the way and being forced to overcome major barriers, she has become an award-winning disabled rights campaigner.

Now the 28-year-old is looking to the future and has found her calling with her own podcast, putting the spotlight on her heroes like sports TV presenter David Tanner and latest big name interviewee, the comedian Des Clarke.

Greenock Telegraph:

Recalling the early days after she lost her sight, Claire, from Greenock, said: "It was horrendous at times, I was in a dark place.

"I think you go into fight or flight mode. As my dad says, you either turn your face to the wall or you fight on. I chose to fight on.

"It was difficult and there were terrible days when I wanted to give up. There was a spell when I felt very lost. I couldn't pursue modern languages, it was too hard, but I did go and get my Spanish Higher which I am so proud of.

"I then went to college to study social sciences, I loved the course, but it was tiring and I faced so many barriers.

"But I look at my life now and I think losing my sight has been a gift. I have a life and experiences that I would never have had if I had my sight. To be honest I think I am happier and more fulfilled than I ever would have been with sight."

Claire lives with her mum Ellen and dad Eamonn, a tight knit family unit who have survived a nightmare lifechanging event.

Eamonn said: "It is hard to find the words for how hard it was, but Claire makes us proud every day."

Claire was only 18 when she ended up in hospital with bilateral optic nerve atrophy, caused by the shunt malfunction.

Over the last ten years she has become an ambassador for the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) and became involved with their youth engagement forum.

This led to her becoming a member of the Scottish Youth Parliament and she managed to achieve a great deal through her work as a MSYP.

Claire is also a star of the Inverclyde Voices choir as a soprano, thanks to mentor Palma Allan and goes to the Speakers Club, which has helped her confidence.

She is also passionate about music and football, helping to support blind supporters.

But it was starting her podcast amid the pandemic that gave Claire her a new focus in her life.

She has built up an impressive catalogue of guests from weather presenter Sean Batty to actor Jordan Young and Palma, who is an MBE.

Claire said: "I was feeling very lost about four years ago and then there was lockdown.

"I love talking to people, I am inspired by other people's stories rather than thinking about myself. I get strength from talking to other people about what they have been through, it lifts me.

"Losing my sight has given me an insight and an empathy I would never have had before."

Her latest guest on her podcast is funny man presenter Des, her all time hero.

Meeting him was also a chance for her to close the door on a traumatic experience. One of Claire's darkest times was when she was repeating her sixth year at St Columba's High, the only pupil to ever do so. Despite her difficulties she succeeded in winning an and went to the Armadillo for the award ceremony.

She said: "I don't know how I managed, but I was there to get the award. It was a dark, dark time in my life and I was in denial. Des was there doing stand up and it lifted to me to see him. Now here I am ten years on interviewing him for a podcast. It feels like I have come full circle, it was a big moment. He was great to speak to, he is authentic and honest, everything I aspire to be."

Claire herself hopes to inspire others by going back to motivational speaking.

She added: "I did some speaking but I was only 22 at the time and it was too emotional for me. I was still coming to terms with what happened to me and it was too much. I think I could do it now though, I am in a better place."

Claire's podcast 'Clara in Conversation' is available on YouTube and her episode with Des Clarke is coming soon.