Muff man who lost sight at 14 walks Camino to thank blindness charity

Padhraig McLaughlin from Muff has raised over €1,000 for the charity Fighting Blindness by walking 100km on Spain’s Camino de Santiago de Compostela.

Born with 10% vision due to a congenital condition, as a teenager Padhraig underwent surgery which doctors hoped would restore his sight. The results were devastating.

“I had some sight until I was fourteen, and I lost it all,” he recounted. He credits his parents, Jack and Anne McLaughlin, and particularly his Mum, with getting him through that difficult time.  

“She was like my backbone - she was a great person. Their love and support got me through those years – and of course that of the rest of my family.”  

Padhraig has benefitted from the support of Fighting Blindness, the leading Irish charity funding research into sight loss. The charity fundraises 95% of the €2m needed annually for the treatment and cures of those affected by sight loss caused by conditions such as retinitis pigmentosa. It also provides counselling and support services. 

Padhraig was guided on the walk by his brother-in-law Niall McDonnell

Fighting Blindness was there for Padhraig when he lost his parents and his sister Joan within five years. “They kept in touch with me, and I was very grateful for that.”  

Padraig was determined to commit himself to the challenge for the charity that he describes as “close to my heart.” 

He discussed the fundraiser with his sister Libby and her husband Niall McDonnell in April, having heard about it through his volunteering work with the charity. Niall agreed to guide Padhraig on the walk. 

For Padhraig, the Camino was a daunting challenge, unlike anything he had ever taken on before. “I knew it was out of my comfort zone. You’ve got to put in a substantial effort to get your fitness up.”  

Over the next few months, himself and Niall trained by doing various walking trails around Inishowen, including Inch Levels and the new Muff greenway walk. Niall guided Padhraig  through a special gadget known as a ‘raggle tag’ – a piece of fabric attached to his elbow with velcro. 

A group of seven flew to Spain on August 26 including Padhraig and two partially sighted people, with the goal of raising €1,000 each. 

The project was a huge success. “There was great camaraderie,” said Padhraig. “We were a great support to each other, keeping each other motivated.

“The five-day walk was 100km in total, and each day varied in length,” he explained. “The  first day was 23km - very tough, and a lot of hills. By the second day, blisters were starting to develop. There were a lot of uneven surfaces, which was difficult for me, but we got  through it. 

“Niall guided me well – I never fell once, in tough terrain. He did sterling work. I would have been a bit nervous. Your balance can be affected by being blind. I was surprised that I was able to keep going for five days.The walk gave me a confidence and a belief in myself that I didn’t know I had.” 

Padhraig is deeply grateful for the generosity of the local community in Muff for helping  fundraise, particularly Ard Ban estate. He expressed his gratitude to Harkin’s Shop, Muff and the Carman’s Inn for allowing him to fundraise at their premises, and to all his family and friends, for helping a charity that means so much to him.  Donations to Padhraig’s campaign can be made at www.fightingblindness.ie.