Blind Fire performerStaff//Poi Spinner needs urgent help!

Hi all,
I am in urgent need of some help here. I am blind and performing is what puts food in my stomach and feeds my dog. Today after I had finished performing and was drining some tea someone came and stole all my equipment light staff glow poi, Fire poi and just a standard set of warmup poi and light up juggling balls. I am unable to make my own poi due to my lack of sight. So if anyone out there has any juggling/poi they no longer need (I dont care how old and batterered.) If anyone is willing to donate any equipment I would be extremely grateful. I will pay postage or whatever necessary. Cant pay much i am sorry. I thought I would ask te online community for help as a last resort. Thankyou
Rosita

Also I was thinking if i can finmd a bunch of like minded people maybe we could do a practice session on clapham common once a week. Anyone interedted?

WHAT!!!!! whoever stole your equipment is so heartless! I can't believe I'm hearing this

you can have my furry poi as soon as I get back to london whenever theres a clapham meet you can have them there and then....if you can wait I need to rewick my fire poi and then u can have those too.

sorry to hear this happen and I hope you and your dog are ok.

I dont know if and when there is a clapham meet.I was hoping to arrange one and talk things/techniques over with a group of like minded individuals. Regarding poi any would be fantastic. Everything is going to be difficult for a little while. I couldnt believe smack in the middle of covent garden drinking a cup of tea afeter a performance and wham! someone steals everything. Including the day earnings. However more worried about poi than cash. I am crawling through Ebay at the moment I see one item that may be a possibilty if it stays cheap. Send me a PM when you come back to London and thanks.
Rosita

bah il come to covent garden i go there every sunday besides I need to test out my Trafalgar Square perimeter theory with my staff

Well as of 5pm today I am no longer performing due to lack of equipment. I dont even have my warm up poi. (Thr poi I use to warm up with. UMMm Trafalger Square perimeter (Dodgy) They seem to jump on anyone who even looks like they are going to perform near there. Have tried pushing the boundries. Thats is a no go area for any kind of performer. Unless you have enough money to buy a licence. If you use Yahoo we can talk directly on the messenger. I wouldnt try Trafalger Square they have been arresting and fining performers.
Rosita

thats where my free running skills come in handy

I cant belive your poi werte stolen, evil, sorry I dont have any to donate though. However I think you get less hassle if you spin/juggle fire on the south bank along the river, ebtween waterloo and the national theatre

*moderator hat off*

Ummmmm....while there are dozens and dozens of us on this bb who have had our gear stolen, and we can all attest that it really, really sucks rocks, I am attempting to figure out what being blind has to do with it?

I don't mean to sound heartless, but I really do fail to see the point in mentioning that. I don't see how it makes a difference and it bothers me that it was even brought up as it doesn't make the suckiness of what happened more severe.

From what i understood,it was more the fact that perhaps she along with the other people that have posted here were angry that not only did someone steal poi...but also took advantage of the fact that she was blind in order to steal from her.

Thats the impression i got anyway.

Maus is correct Pele people take advantage of me regularly because of my lack of sight/Blindness. According to someone who saw what happened the person walked up picked up my bag with my equip in and my staff and walked off. By the time one of the other performers realised he had gone. (He probably didnt even know what was in the bag) Many times people try to pass me forged notes ( In the sense "Can you change this into coins for me?") or other things bacause they know I cant tell. I am fed up with being taken advantage of. That is why the comment. Also seeing as my skills are my main source of income (I am a musician also) It very annoying as i am living on the breadline.
Thanks for your kind words everyone.
Rosita

Really?

I know someone who is blind who makes poi.
I also know a man who spins poi and is in a wheelchair.
There was no relevance to it for me.

I also know that Rosita has been mentioning that she is blind in most posts aside from this one in several threads, and that it this is not isolated.

I also know performers who are sighted who have had people walk away with their stuff right in front of them, literally one was on a stage, someone walked up and took his stuff and the audience, despite him asking did nothing to stop the dude.

It still has absolutely nothing to do with it to me.

Ther Other reason I mention my lack of sight is because I am trying to find other blind performers and start a group. I already teach blind kids. There has to be more people out there. I trapeze also and juggle also tight rope but I am looking for other people with the same skills. Thanks
Rosita

Thanks for the PM. I'll have a look today for you

 Written by: Pele


Really?

I know someone who is blind who makes poi.
I also know a man who spins poi and is in a wheelchair.
There was no relevance to it for me.

Even if people have the same impairments, it doesn't mean that they're able - or unable - to do the same things, but as Rosita has said that she cannot make her own poi due to her lack of sight, I've no reason to disbelieve her.

I'm all for trying and taking pride and effort and any success that results in, but I'm also all for not being too proud to ask for help. Even as a sighted person who has been registered here for 3 years, I wouldn't have found it easy to ask for help if my gear had been stolen

i know i don't post much on the help thread but............ pele you do seem a bit harsh i know i'm not the greates person to point this out but give the woman a break





please

Im with pele on this one really, and ya know erm you cant allways beleive everything you hear from people on the internet, I'll say no more on the subject hmm hmmm hmmmmm.

**post deleted by {anthrax}**

You never do that do you anthrax?

I'm shocked that some of you feel you need proof of this. Why? Do you need proof that I live in Cambridge? Or that I lost my poi last weekend? Or that I've not had any tea today?

Isn't someones cry for help enough?

I'm actually quite sad that you people are saying what you are.

There's no proof so we should call her a liar....jees nice attitude guys

Lets hope next time you need something you don't try to rely on a strong community such as HoP for help.

Maybe she isn't blind and if it should come about that that is true and we're being mislead (as will certainly happen when she goes to the Clapham meets and folks are introduced to her) then please feel free to say "I told you so" and rub my face in it. In the meantime I'll try not to single out individuals on this forum for personal abuse and take them at their word until I have good reason to beleive otherwise. Friendship and community spirit are one of HoPs many plus points that set it aside from many other online communities.

 Written by: Antrax

Now please don't come begging for free things off the community

What?? Since when do you issue instructions on behalf of everyone on here?

Joe, Antrax, Pele (in non mod mode) if you don't want to help someone who's posted a help topic in the help forum then just resist the urge to type a reply, it's quite simple really. Your silence will speak volumes

Pele if you think someone is abusing the trusting nature of the many folks on here then put your mod hat on and stand by your convictions, find some evidence and continue in the profesional manner we're accustomed to from you.And if anyone else thinks that Rosita is abusing the nature of folks on here press the report button so someone who runs the place can check it out properly. There's no need to act aggressivly towards an individualwhen you have no evidence or reason to beleive otherwise.

The only reason I posted was because your all taking an offensive side to peles orrigional post, which isnt offensive and from what I can see carefully written. I didnt call Rosita a liar I never said in my post 'I odnt bleeive you', im just stating a simple fact that there are no garentees with the internet, just to try and point out that pele has a good point and theres no reason for anyone to side agaisnt her for spekaing her mind on this subject.

Now one wheel I didnt launch a personal attack at all, and if I knew you more ide say I was hurt you would jump to such a harsh conclusion. (but I dont mind that much anyway lol)

Rosita, if you are blind (I'm not questioning it) then I guess you are using a screen reader? Or do you have soemone to help you post on forums like this that may not be great for you to hear?

Either way, I want to make sure that there are many people sending you hugs though emoticons. They don't have any alt tags so you may not ahve any way of knowing what it means. Just thought I'd let you know, and add my own...

*hug*

Oh, and Joe is right, not everyone on these forums is nice, and i'm sure there are some who can't be trusted. However, I (and most other people here) like to think of people as being nice until the point the find out otherwise.

Hi guys,
when i saw this post i was also thinking about somebody maybe just lying about being blind to get some poi. i dont think that that shows my bad character, its just becoming normal (after some experiences of spam, viruses, "poor" people that go for some sushi, after begging for money on the street) not to believe everything you hear or read in the internet, but serious, i would have never thought about really accusing her in this thread.

because if you are right, ok - you were right - thats all, nobody gets anything positive out of this experience, but if you are wrong you just hurted somebody a lot, without even having a good reason.
i would feel very bad, if somebody called me liar and i was in such situation and only telling the truth.

some years ago i didnt find my mp3-player anymore, searching like crazy in my room for over hourse.
the day before a friend of me had been there (a guy with quite a bad reputation along parents), i also left him alone for some time.
so i thought that maybe he had been stealing it.
i was angry with him for a whole week without even telling him why. damn, luckily i never told him that! its so easy to brake a good friendship because of such stupid [censored].
...one week later i found the mp3thing in my jacket - it had been there for all the time...

never, never, never call somebody a thief, a liar, whatever, without being totally sure.

I am also a bit shocked at the hostility going on. We've had this before where people have suspected a hopper from being a liar and it wasnt nice!

True we dont know Rosita, she could be a 30 year old man named Jospeph planning to infect the worls poi have them delivered all over the country and then they infect everyones mind with crazy talk of things like antispin is actually good

But also she could be who she says she is, all she has been asking for is if you have any old battered poi rather than throw them away send them to her. If I wanted to pretend to be blind so I could get peoples equipment I wouldnt put emphasis on how battered and old they are as she hss done, if I wanted to go to the trouble of pretending to be blind to get poi, personally, I wouldnt bother with getting old crap equipment which I could just as easily make and get half decent stuff.

Let's show a little faith here.

Rosita I dont have any poi I can send you, but good luck with your search, I think it's great to see someone with a disability letting it hardly affect them, keep up the good work in the comunity!

To Pele (With her moderator hat off):
I think you overstepped the line there. Your first post reads as being un-necessarily agressive
I hope that this will help to stop your fears that Rosita is an imposter.
http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=%09+Maria+Rosita+Apaza+Marchaqa
Nice Llama btw.
This is after all a help section. And the HOP I always knew is a very charitable place.

Good luck Rosita, very sorry to hear that your gear wsa stolen.
Smiles
Drew

I'm so glad so many people have leapt to the defense of Rosita in here.

Most of the things i want to say have already been said,but i would like to say its good to read so many positive words.

Reminds me why i love this community so much.

Rosita-hopefully we will see you at PLAY festival or something else soon if you can make it?
Would be lovely to meet you!

*hugs,love and happiness*

Hi All
The hostility is not really necessary and I didnt expect it. I can see where a lot of you are coming from there being so mant scam and such stuff on the intenet. However if any of you happened to google my name spelt apaza marchaqa or apasa marchaqa. You will find out for yourselves. I feel that my blindness should not set me apart from any of you as we all of have something in common being the pleasure we get from twirling and performing. That is what we have in common not (he or she might be lying) we dont need bickering here online. Too much of that in the real world. But it takes all sorts to make the world go round
Rosita

Rosita, I have been robbed a few times this last year,and it sucks! I am sorry, what an unpleasant view you are getting of some peoples behaviour. A big hug your way, and Good luck rounding up new gear.

On the subject of disabilities- wow, some of the comments really surprised me. Some disabilities present very real limitations , and it shocked me to see some people judging whether or not they are sufficient to justify someones request for help! Yikes! Being blind would be a pretty significant part of someones life I should think, and would find it more odd if a blind spinner did not mention it.

Rosita, I am pretty impressed that you do all the amazing things you do!

Hope to meet you at Play... If you have not gotten your hands on some good practice poi by then, pm me, and I will bring a set. Shipping from Canada just is not practical!

smiles,
Andrea

Blimey!! What the hell is going on in this thread? It starts off as someone asking for help, and it turns into a court hearing!
Rosita, sorry to hear about the horrible people who stole your things, and sorry about the horrible reception you've had from some people here. Huge hugs.
I hope to meet you at a clapham, I'm sure I will, also come along to Poi in the punt, which will be in cambridge in mid august.
I'm sure I can make you some sock poi, I have lots of long socks! I hope you like black and green stripes!
Anyway, I think it's great you are still spinning. Losing my sight is one of my greatest fears, so I have huge respect for you.
Anthrax, pele and Brit joe, stop acting like non-Hoppers, and show some love.

I apologise to the people whos friendships I may have ruined.

Sym, you in particular made me get rid of my post, I was in a foul mood this morning, I had absolutely no right to say what I did. Thank you for showing me the error of my ways.

Rosita, I'm sorry for the hostility you have encountered, I feel truly rotten for being rude to someone I have never met, or had the pleasure to get to know.

From this post on, can we please try and suggest things to help Rosita and perhaps comfort her?

Thats all I have to say.

now that's the kind of love we're used to here

Anthrax you've just gone up a million fold in my estimations

me too well done anthrax for spreading that old fashioned hopper love!

Hello Anthrax
Ok so we got off on the wrong foot but that slate is now clean. I wasnt seeking pity or trying to beg (Only find help) and I am sorry if it seemed at all that way. I was offended at the time but these things soon pass. I actually posted as i was looking for more blind performers twirlers and fire spinners. I do tight rope and acrobatics a few other things. I am wondering whether there are more people like me. I teach blind kids to read braille and juggle using a set of specially made balls that make sound (electronically) when thrown. I know that onewheeldave was asking me about this. I will explain now how this works. The sound is used to co-ordinate the movemnets and if you miss the ball it lannd on the floor and continue to bllep intermiitantly until located. This improves childrens directional skills and co-ordination.That me roughly other than the fact i train dogs and perform (music as well as poi/circus arts) Thankyou
Rosita

good to see this thread back on track and i hope the hostile attitudes will vanish as fast as they appeared.

Huh.

I think I am extremely offended that you all automatically assumed I was being hostile and calling anyone a liar. How is asking the relevance of a detail hostile? I see you all do it every day of each other in countless threads, especially in the Soc Disc. What made this any different?
I wanted an opinion, an answer. Nowhere did I call her a liar or was hostile or accusing her of wrong doing. Those are all implications you read into my post.
I was curious about a detail and asked about it (to which I still have not recieved a full answer here or in PM)

I *never* once said she wasn't blind.
I *never* once attacked her, called her a beggar or anything else I am being accused of.

I also find it intriguing that we have received complaints about this both in PM and email, one by someone offering a very contradictory opinion here.

I take my "mod hat" off when I am inquiring about something out of personal interest and not as a mod and representing HoP. I take great offense to the assumption that I did it to be mean. When I am mean on here, everyone knows it, especially the person I am upset with.

I have also seen sighted people come on here claiming that their stuff was stolen and looking for help replacing it over and over without near as much help or defensiveness being offered.
In my eyes everyone is the same, no matter what, and will get the same treatment from me...which includes me asking questions if I have them. Nowhere in here have I treated Rosita any differently than I have anyone else when I have had a question. Nowhere do I give less or preferential treatment. Why should this be any different?

Her having her stuff stolen sucks.
It does every time someone else has their stuff stolen too.
Nothing changes that. The only way I see it being worse is if someone was outright mugged. But Rosita's circumstance is no different than the hundreds of others who have had their stuff stolen in my eyes.

I've said it before...if you want to find other blind spinners, then put it in the Meet Others section instead of every post you make. It tends to take the edge off how people percieve the posts. Best of luck in that venture.

Pele, I think it was Anthrax and Brit Joes comments, not yours , that pertained to the idea that she might be lying...

And as for Brit Joe saying he did not accuse her of being a liar, but rather that he just mentionned it was a possibility to be aware of in the internet medium- well, yes, technically.But the intent of someone raising it in the way that you did reads as implying guilt. That is probably what raised peoples hackles.

Pele, you say you were just asking a question, so why do people get in a huff? Why was it seen as hostile? Well, I think it might be that it does not come across as a sincere question, a question that is asked for the sole intent of learning something. I suspect many read it as a question asked more to make a point: that you found it - blindness- irrelevant and so should others. It seemed as though you already having a firm opinion on what the correct answer would be, so anything she said would have to be in defense.

I think it sort of sounded like you somehow took issue with her mentionning her blindness for reasons of your own-- particularly because she did actually include a few reasons why blindness was relevent in this situation- not being able to make her own poi, and wanting to connect with others. You do not acknowledge these as sufficient reasons to put mention her blindness , which I find curious.?

Who is to say what aspect of themselves people should or should not include when talking about themselves and their needs? It may not be the least bit important as an identifier for you, but I bet it is for her, cause she is the one living it and chosing to offer up that information.I still can not understand why it would push your buttons int he way it obviously has.

Suggesting that asking about meeting others in with the request she made is inappropriate, and should be placed in the meet others section is silly, lots of times our messages are mixed, and one thought leads to another. To me it was simple and sensible-I just thought she may have wanted to initiate contact as well as ask for help, and make the whole thing more personal and connected.

As for people with impairments/disabilities being able to do things for themselves, no kidding! Of course. But why would you judge whther or not she can or should be able to do that? Just cause someone else can? And you list one example or two of disabled people you know that can, so everyone should? That is absurd. And funny, considering apparently this is one very talented person!Why not just beleive she knows what she can and can not manage? It is just a set of poi, after all. She is not asking for all that much!


Really, I cant even imagine learning and teaching juggling and trapeze without sight.I went without sight for a week, and all the normal stuff was shockingly difficult.I cant even juggle with having sight! It is a pretty exciting idea,how Rosalita teaches, and I am glad to know someone is doing it!

So, Pele, please dont be offended either; maybe everyone should just remember to breathe and gently move on...

Pele, the thing that annoyed me about your post is that you took the thread off topic and started comparing her to other blind people you know.
If "everyone is the same" and blindness doesnt make a difference, why are you comparing her? We are all individuals, we have different strengths and different weaknesses.
Personally I think Rosita is very strong for the abilities she has (sighted or not, she kicks ass!).
Also, yes we do throw our opinions about in social discussion and social chat, as that's where they are meant to be

Strugz, we may be able to pass on poi via London folk at Firetoys? If not I'll add my poi to your parcel and bung you a quid or two for postage

no worries dude - i mean, we cant trust you to send them now can we





will ring you tonight about stuff and things

To Pele and evryone else here, I expect all sorts of comments good and bad. I will admit that your first post Pele did feel very patronising along the lines of (Why should she ask for our help) I can answer that now I had nowhere else to turn Sorry! But I do agree the intenet is a dodgy place and it is not easy to take people at there word. So I understand where the uneasiness comes from. I listened to you video last night Pele about your Fire Breathing accident. I can tell by the way people talk that you are a genuine person who sometimes put up a hard defence shell (Dont be offended by that please, I think everybody does it at sometime). Thanks
Rosita

PM very much appreciated lovely!

Hopefully will see you at one of them soon!

Hi Strugz
Pleasure to meet you digitally . It may be better to send you poi to dunc. He will get them to me. I actuaaly found out what happened from police CCTV. I did actually, have my rucksack tied to my leg (I thought i did). My foot through the armhole. The (censored) that stole it had cut the strap with a knife (Glad I never challenged them now i know that).while his accomplice was talking to me. He had even disconnected the personal alarm that i had on the bag. One of these little personal attack alarms that go off if the string is pulled out. He had taken it from the bag and left it on the ground by my feet. The police are unable to identify the thief but if he tries to come near me, when i get on my feet again. I think he get a whack with my staff (Just joking) Anyway Thankyou
Rosita

Thats terrible!! What absolute bast*rds!!!!

That really is awful.

Shame the can't be identified either.

that is shocking and whats more out of order is nobody saw what was going on. hope all works out for you rosita

i find this whole thread shocking. Has HOP just become a site for people to shout at each other? Seems that way to me.

Yes it is awful (now I know how it happened.) I have just thought his accomplice was asking me about fir poi and how to spin them etc. What fuel to use. I think that if he tries to use them he will definatley burm himself as he had no idea at all. I did warn him of all the precautions etc. Well anyone that knows what Covent Garden is like, Knows that it has 2000 people running around minding there own business and not paying attention to anything in particular other than themselves.
Thanks
Rosita

P.S Hope to meet up with some of you somehow.

Does anyone know if the Spittalfields Market meet is on the evening? If So can some please give me an address of where it is located ie: Closest road name would do. Thankyou
Rosita

Yeah, it's on every tuesday

Directions:
Closest Tube: Liverpool Street
Come out of the entrance of Liverpool Street onto Bishopsgate. This is the entrance by the high numbered platforms by WHSSmith, not the entrance by McDonalds or the walkway by Boots.
Turn Cross the road and turn left.
Turn right down Brushfield Street.
Spitalfields Market is the big building on the left just beyond the building site.

Hi Simian
Thankyou
I will try my best to follow the directions given. If I get lost i will ask my way. How many of us do you think there will be there? I should hopefully be able to get there. I have no toys so hopefully I can borrow a spare set from someone. THankyou hope to see you tonight. It starts at 7? Many Thanks
Rosita

I do not doubt your blindness for an instant but I am asking this question out of pure ignorance but how exactly are you reading and writing on this site?

Apologies for my ignorance again! Not being blind I haven't been keeping up with technologies for the blind but is it something like a minicom?

Hi Neon Fowl iin Marinade,
I use a screen reader. It an ordinary computer which reads everything on the display. It reads whatever I type and whatever is written on screen. I am using a program called JAWS it basicaaly reads what would be all the normal visual cues. It tells me where there are link and what they are. Does that answer your question?
Thanks
Rosita

I was wondering the same thing actually...thank you for explaining it to us FieryFireWorld

Hi Simian and all, What time do we roughly finish down at spittalfield market this evening. Rough idea would be fine. Its just I will get collected as this is probably easiar. I might even get a lift there yet who knows. Thanks
Rosita

the Spittalfields workshop officially ends at ten, and then lots of people pop down to the pub till about eleven.

That does answer my question! Learn something new every day!

Thanks Rosita.

Hi All,
Anyone going from London to PLAY?
Also to monkey had a great time at the market these even. Thankyou for the welcome. Next time i should be able to come there a lot easiar now I know the way. Thanks
Rosita

Hi Rosita, I'm glad you had a good time I'm sure there will be some sort of bus from London to Play, but your best bet is to ask on the play site: http://www.playfestival.co.uk/

There is a wiki there with a lift share page.

I'm also interested as to how the site works with JAWS: I've not been able to test it.

i have no old poi sadly, but how about making some withsome cheap long stripy socks and tennis balls?...old skool, yo!
good luck!
Ree

ooh, i know thats sounds silly as you have said your blind and struggle, but i thought they would probably be pretty easy, blind or not...god, now I sound patronising and foolish *runs away*

I doubt they'd be performace quality tho, which is what Rosita is looking for I think

Hi Dunc and Sym,
The PLAY festival site is not very accessible. I could poit you in the direction of a couple of improvements that would make it easiar to navigate (for someone using a screen reader). I think I eventually got it right I think I managed to book a ticket and use the Wiki page. The program does not particularly like the edit facility but this happens a lot on web pages. I do design websites specially for the visually impaired so if you want help making it more visually impaired friendly just PM me. Thanks
Rosita

Hi, If anyone from London is going to PLAY I would be greatly appreciative of a ride share. Can share fuel costs and will bring lots of laughs and smiles. I will also bring some instruments and play music. (I play panpipes and quena) I will be bringing some tarot cards with me. They are special they have been brailled so i know what they are and other tools for fortune telling if anyone wants to have there fortune told Thanks
Rosita

You should post those details in the play thread too Rosita

Sym is working on making the site more accessable, it is something he is involved in workwise and is aware that some aspects of the site aren't up to scratch for screen readers. You should see improvements soon

You have booked your ticket so I guess the basics must be there, I hope it wasn't too much of a chore

I thought that's what you may have been using. About two years ago at school I did a short day course on making internet sites accessible for all, and had a look at the JAWS program, was a good thing to do, I am glad I did it, just wish now I could remember what we did and how to actually make an internet site.
Having a cousin who is legally blind, I can see where you are coming from, I shall have to pass on your story to her, as even though she lost her site about eight years ago, she is only just starting to become independent again, her dog has helped a lot with this.. if you don't mind am I allowed to tell her about you next time I see her as some inspiration?

Hi Hanz,
Your welcome to tell your blind cousin about this. If she/he wants JAWS. If they dont already have it I can arrange that too. However please PM me regarding that. I lost my sight when I was 12- 13ish. I have another program called Hal but the functionability is not the same. If you want the latest version of JAWS Pm me. Thanks
Rosita

I shall speak to her sister, and let you know what happens.

I'm sad to read all this...
The last thing i thought when i was reading Rosita's post was that she might be lying. I thought how amazing it is that a blind person could juggle. I thought if there was anything i could do to help her. After all, she only asked for some help, not your money, not your brand new shiny pair of poi. She found a creative way to make a living. We should suport it.
Rozita i really wish i had some poi to send you, or help you in some way. I think what you do is fantastic! Unfortunately there will always be people that will try to take advantage of you. But there will always be someone who will support you and care for you. And if you think about it, that's true for everyone!
Love and hugs!

Ahh yes, I should have added... if I did have spare poi I would happily send them over, but the only ones I own are the ones I use, so sorry! However, keep us updated on what happens

Hi Daphne and Hanz,
I will get there eventually. I am hoping that by the time play gets here i will have some poi. If not then I will Have to make do. Thanks and all the bes
Rosita

Sorry Rosita I forgot to take my spare poi to Firetoys to have them taken to London, but I will have it at play so can give it to you then

Rosita: I am unsure as to whether you have told us what is wrong eye-wise, but if it isn't too much of a personal question, would you mind telling us? I am interested in this due to my cousin.

Hi Dunc And Hanz,
Sorry for the late reply. I dont know if I am going to PLAY at the moment dunc. Just had a major crisis and it may take a month to sort out however i am hoping to sort it be the time play gets here.
Hanz, no its not too personal of a question.I have dry Macular Degeneration and Retinal Degeneration. They are both relativley untreatable. Thanks
Rosita

hey that's what my uncle had, it was a rather late onset but now they are watching my eyes

Rosita: sorry, but would you be able to explain that for me?

I can't think off the top of my head what my cousin has but she has had retinal detatchment in the past and the pressure in her eye is wonky, it keeps getting too low and she gets retinal detatchment and it gets close to being too high, if it gets too high her eye will explode. She has also recently had a thing which is pretty much wrinkly retina, which is what it sounds like. She's been blind since she was twelve and is eighteen or nineteen now. When mum wakes up I will ask her what it is called

Ok Hanz, I have written enough leaflets regarding MD.
Macular degeneration (MD) is an eye disease that destroys central vision by damaging the macula. The macula is part of the retina, a thin layer of nerve cells that lines most of the inside of your eyeball. Nerve cells in the retina detect light and send signals to the brain about what your eye sees. The macula, near the centre of the retina at the back of the eyeball, provides the clear, sharp, central vision that you use for focusing on what is in front of you. The rest of the retina provides side (peripheral) vision.

Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) is the name given to a group of eye diseases often characterised by night blindness and the gradual loss of peripheral vision. RP causes visual field loss, and may lead to eventual blindness, by affecting the light sensitive photoreceptors in the retina. A degenerative disease affecting over four million people world wide, RP is a common form of retinal degeneration (RD). Related conditions include Macular Degeneration, Usher Syndrome, Choroideremia, Leber's Amaurosis and Retinoschisis.

Hope this helps you a little its not too in depth but indepth enough. Thanks
Rosita

The first one (MD) sounded right, so I asked mum, and yes, my cousin has Macular degeneration and retina uveitis

Hi Rosita, hope you don't mind me asking, but was wondering how severe your condition is? (mum is asking lots of questions)

I am not left with any usable sight. But that is because I have a combination of two diseases. Most people only lose there central vision. But i have lost my peripheral vision as well due to the retinal degeneration.

Also Message for Dunc. I dont know if i can get to PLAY. I have not transport. Do you know anyone going from London~?
Thanks
Rosita

was talking to mum yesterday, I thought my cousin had some vision left, but she is down to none in one eye, and close to none in the other.

I have just come back to HOP after a long absense. I felt unwelcome. I am currently based in Scotland.

I have not performed since the incident which started this thread. Would like to meet other performers in the Edinburgh area.

Does anyone have any suggestions?
Thank You
Rosita