EDITOR: Myopic view on life can really cramp style

I hope all you sighted people out there occasionally give a thought to us visually-impaired types.
I am not talking totally blind as that is a true disability which must take an incredibly strong will to overcome.
I am talking about those of us who live our lives with funny bits of metal stuck on our faces.
I know I am not alone out there. We are everywhere.
We come in all shapes and sizes. Short-sightedness or myopia, in my case, and all the other types of vision-impairment can strike anyone.
In my case I was about 14 when I succumbed to the dreaded "four-eyes" tag.
I probably should have had my first specs fitted a couple of years before but I bravely (read stupidly) battled on denying my lack of vision was any sort of impairment.
I can remember asking the teacher if I could move up the front of the class so I could see the blackboard without admitting to anyone I was as blind as a bat.
I was but I didn't want to admit it. In my youth I was a bit of tennis player and played in many tournaments and representative matches. I had no problem dealing with that little yellow ball coming over the net as long as I didn't have to play night matches. When I did, disaster followed.
The poor visibility offered by the lights meant I often stood at the back of the court having no idea where I was headed next until the ball crossed the net.
With eyes squinted to the max, I tried to get the slightest idea of direction before it was too late.
But usually it was a mad late scramble to make it to the ball before it bounced a second time.
No, nights weren't special and were definitely unenjoyable.
But then, when I got my glasses, hot days weren't too grand either as the sweat dripped off my brow and down the lenses.
You just don't need that happening in the middle of a point.
And have you ever tried serving a tennis ball with glasses on?
You throw it up and it goes above you glasses and turns blurry then re-emerges in clear focus shortly after.
Putting sport aside, there were also the problems associated with glasses and being a teenager.
Apart from the taunts which come with the territory, there is also the rough and tumble of teenage life.
Ever played a game of tough footie with your teenage mates in a pair of glasses?
There's a fair chance that at some stage they will end up bent or broken.
And I can tell you that teenage romance is not enhanced by glasses either.
Apart from the aesthetics, there is also the issue with them getting in the way as you search for that illicit kiss under the oak tree.
Genetics being what they are, two of my children have inherited my poor eyesight and have gone down the path to glasses.
But I have to say they have handled the transition far better than I ever did and just get on with life, unaffected.
They are active in their chosen sports and enjoy the fact they can now see clearly.
I guess the fact we can all see clearly now is what is most important, especially when we go to take that kiss!