Lauren Eade CVI

25/05/2026

20/05/2026

Applications for our 2026/27 Get Set Progress Internship cohort will be opening later this summer, and we’re hosting a special Let’s Talk Jobs webinar to help you get prepared on 8 June.

If you’re blind or partially sighted, this is your chance to hear directly from our Internships team about the programme, the support on offer and how to apply.

The Get Set Progress Internship is a 9-month paid opportunity created to help blind and partially sighted job seekers develop skills, gain experience and grow their confidence in the workplace.

Join us on:

Date: 8 June

Time: 2–3pm

Location: Microsoft Teams

Register for the webinar here:https://pocklington.tfaforms.net/5069021?event=701Pz00000pxaoc&tfa_168=6

We look forward to welcoming you.



Image description: Live Webinar event. Text reads: “’Let’s Talk Jobs’ Spotlight on GSP Internship, Join our internships and Employment teams, live webinar, 8th June 2-3pm, Sign up now”, with a right pointing arrow. An image of Muhammed, a past GSP intern, is on the top right. The TPT logo is on the top left.

15/05/2026

29/04/2026

I didn’t set out to become a CVI advocate. It happened completely by accident.

I started trying to learn and understand my own journey, facing backlash whenever I spoke up or asked questions.

Respected professionals censored my words, my voice and my story. They said, “that’s not possible”, “it’s not how CVI works”, and “you can’t say that”. Time and time again.

So I kept studying and reading research until I understood the science. I learnt from my community and met others just like me. Some truly inspirational people encouraged me to keep fighting.

Eventually, I realised the people trying to silence me were wrong. My story is the truth and evidence backs what I have to say.

I’m not perfect, only human.

But I’ll always follow science because the results are undeniable.

What we’re building together as a community is a powerful combination. Professional knowledge and research evidence alongside our lived experience.

It will change the world.

Thank you to everyone who shares their story and experience of CVI ❤️

[Lauren smiling while holding the top of her white cane outdoors. She wears a red leather jacket with yellow checked flannel shirt. Her nose is red from the cold.]

14/04/2026

Lately, I’ve spent a lot of time reflecting on my journey.

Growing up with undiagnosed autism, ADHD and CVI.

Losing my sight alone as a teenager without any support.

All I used to see in these photos was the pain in my eyes…

A stranger I don’t recognise. A stark reminder of the worst years of my life…

But now, I also see my partner’s love. And someone who fought so hard to survive.

I’m proud of how far I’ve come. The progress I’ve made.

I worked hard to get here. To gain my independence and be free.

Early diagnosis and the right support is vital for people with CVI to thrive.

It’s time to change the narrative.

Believe people with CVI.

[The above captions over images. Lauren as a baby, a small child, a tween. Several photos of her as a teenager with her partner. A recent photo of them. A photo of Lauren with her white cane and a woman with a guide dog in front of the Houses of Parliament.]

10/04/2026

08/04/2026

We’ve had a miniature heatwave in the UK this week, with temperatures reaching over 20 degrees in London!

While these aren’t crazy temperatures, it got me thinking about preparing for summer.

- I struggle with changes in temperature and my body takes longer to adjust.
- My vision and hearing are worse in high temperatures.
- If I overheat, I can struggle to think and communicate clearly.
- I might be nauseous, dizzy or very tired.
- I’m more susceptible to heat exhaustion/heatstroke.

Planning in advance, working to acclimatise slowly, regulating your temperature where possible, staying hydrated, cool clothing and taking breaks are important to manage the impact of CVI in hot weather.

Listening to your body, learning your limits and finding mitigation strategies really helps.

Hence, I only spent 20 minutes in the sun on my lunch break today. This evening, I’m taking plenty of breaks in the shade.

How do you manage in summer with CVI?

https://www.perkins.org/how-does-heat-affect-cvi/

[Image: A close-up outdoor selfie of Lauren wearing dark sunglasses. Plants are visible in the background. Bright sunlight hits her face strongly and her nose appears noticeably red from the sun.]

04/04/2026

My post about burnout and fatigue resonated strongly with the CVI community.

This is a widespread issue for people with Cerebral Visual Impairment and has a huge impact on our lives.

I’m grateful so many people reached out to share their stories and help raise awareness ❤️

[Video: Animated text against a green hill with blue sky. Quotes from parents and people with CVI set to music. Transcript available on request. ]

01/04/2026

“Adventure inspires us to see the world and make it better.”

I have Cerebral Visual Impairment, a type of sight loss caused by damage to the brain. It causes extreme fatigue and painful headaches made worse by visual complexity and clutter.

I saw Cotopaxi’s bags and loved the idea. Made from vibrant leftover fabric scraps, they’re better for the environment, look incredible and each one is unique. The only problem? Complicated patterns with lots of colours that are overwhelming with . It would probably be too much.

I mentioned this in passing to my boyfriend and promptly forgot about it, but he secretly reached out to the Cotopaxi and The Brokedown Palace to ask if they could help. They were so lovely and truly went above and beyond, searching until they found the perfect blend of colours that worked. Purple and orange because they’re easiest to see, with accents that are less distressing and fade into the background unnoticed. A matching treat pouch for my future guide dog. They even wrote a lovely note for our anniversary.

It’s rare to find a company so willing to go the extra mile and embrace your accessibility needs without hesitation. To view it as inclusivity instead of a burden, an exception to the rules because it enables equal participation.

Each day I’m inspired to make the world better for people with CVI. To raise awareness, increase access to diagnosis, improve support and attain better outcomes. Now I have a bag which reflects my aspirations and reminds me that I can make a positive difference.

It means the world to me and I’m looking forward to my next adventure.

[Image 1: Lauren from behind, crouching on a paved path beside a pond, holding a phone and small microphone with fuzzy windscreen. She wears a large hiking backpack, mostly purple with yellow, light blue and orange panels. The Cotopaxi logo is visible.

Image 2: Lauren standing wearing sunglasses and hair tied back, smiling while holding her white cane. The multicolour writing on her grey t-shirt compliments yellow and blue straps on her bag.]

27/03/2026

I haven’t seen many speak about what happens after a big event or trip because it really isn’t pretty.

I woke up drenched in sweat from trauma fuelled nightmares, just as exhausted as the night before. Covered in painful bruises I can only guess are from fighting in my sleep, desperately trying to escape.

I didn’t want to eat but forced myself up despite the nausea and headache setting in. The world was too loud and bright, an onslaught against my fragile senses making me dizzy.

My vision wasn’t working and I couldn’t understand sound properly. Words had no meaning. Nothing made sense and I felt disconnected from the world, unable to even think.

I crawled back into bed and longed to be normal, grateful I wasn’t in total agony yet. Completely burnt out. It lasted for days.

It’s vulnerable to share but an inherent part of CVI that’s rarely highlighted, the intensity misunderstood. It’s a whole body condition that drains us entirely.

People don’t seem to realise that with CVI, even doing things for fun is a massive effort with a huge cost.

Everything takes its toll and you will pay the highest price. Physically, mentally, emotionally. Despite the best preparations and mitigations, you will suffer.

Was it worth it?

I don’t know. I probably won’t remember this trip next month.

But if I never do anything, I won’t have lived.

[Image: Lauren, who has brown hair tied back and sunglasses, pictured with her boyfriend Brad, who has a beard and wears a backwards baseball cap. A pink cherry blossom tree at the edge of a lake is visible in the background. The couple smile, arms around each other.]