Hello my shifty-eyed friends!

I’m coming back to you after some time off with an awesome personal nystagmus experience from our friend Johnathan. He originally left a comment about this brilliant blog (natch), but he shared so much of his own life with nystagmus that asked if I could repost it here. He graciously gave me permission. So without further ado…

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Wow I never even knew they had a website like this lol I was just bored an started web surfin. Its kinda cool knowing theres a support group for nystagmus. I wish I knew how to post something on here bc I feel as if I have an amazing story to tell. I do have congenital nystagmus with all the horizontal eye twitches an head movements and yes it affects me physically an mentally but Ive somehow fought through it. I was always teased as a kid an still receive it today at times but this has never stopped me from making many friends, having best friends, or even having many great girlfriends who were all btw absolutely gorgeous lol (Im very picky for some reason). Anyways Im 18 years old. I played football in high school where i received many scholarships but I was just a normal sized player with a little bit of talent nothin special I was actually undersized for my position which was quarterback an linebacker. It was bc I had more heart then anybody else on that field. My mentality was an always will be is the bigger they are harder they fall and Ive gained a lot of respect/friendships due to that aspect in me. Ive been a fire fighter since 16 an have received many awards from life saving awards to top runner of the year and last year I received fire fighter of the year and was the youngest person to ever do that. Jo Im sure this will surprise you more then anything else. I broke the barrier. I am a United States Marine. Not just any Marine either, My job is infantry which means Im a grunt fighting on the frontlines of afghanistan. Anything is possible you just have to have heart. Jo this is just a summary of what Ive been through. Im kinda new to this Ive never posted a blog on a website before. I have the whole facebook an myspace page get up but not like this. I wish there was something I could do to help others.

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Woohoo! Let’s here it for the Marines!

And in case you are curious, I asked about how he is able to do that. You should know that nystagmus is usually an automatic disqualification in the US military. But he fought it, and won, which is HUGE.

AND he’s a man after my own heart who doesn’t let the nystagmus stop him from doing what he wants to do. The fact that he chooses to use his abilities to risk his life and benefit other people makes him the best kind of hero in my book.

This blog is all about supporting each other and giving each other encouragement. All of you contribute when you interact on here and on the other amazing sites dedicated to nystagmus. Just sharing our frustrations and accomplishments with each other lets us know that we are not alone, and that we are extremely normal, capable people who can contribute to society just like anyone else.

Thanks Johnathan! You are helping so many others right now by just being who you are.

xoxo

Jo