A remarkable story of resilience and talent unfolds with Eleanor, a blind teenager from London, who is set to take the stage at the Children in Need event. This inspiring young lady, despite her visual impairment, is a force to be reckoned with.
Eleanor's journey began at a tender age of three when she was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor, robbing her of her sight. But her spirit remained unshaken. She describes herself as "buzzing" to be part of the Children in Need choir, an opportunity she grasps with both hands.
Her mother, Kelly, shares that Eleanor's attitude is admirable. She says, "Eleanor always grabs every opportunity she's given. Having gone through so much, she doesn't let the little things stress her out."
For most of her young life, Eleanor has navigated through hospitals, undergoing scans, tests, neurosurgery, and chemotherapy. Her family's world was turned upside down when they discovered their little girl's illness just as she was about to start school.
Kelly recalls, "She was dropping things and then feeling for them, unable to find them. Then she started asking about colors, and I'd say, 'You know your colors!' She became a bit more clingy when we were out walking."
It was an eye test that revealed the truth, leading the family into a new reality of oncologists, hospitals, and visual impairment. Eleanor was diagnosed with a Low Grade Hypothalamic Glioma, an incurable brain tumor that has permanently damaged her optical nerves, leaving her severely sight-impaired.
She can perceive light and dark, but no details or faces. Her dad, Tim, shares that she enjoys pigeons because she can see their dark grey forms against the lighter pavement. Eleanor's sense of humor shines through as she entertains with her pigeon impressions.
But here's where it gets controversial... Eleanor's story takes an interesting turn with the introduction of Living Paintings, a free postal library of accessible books called Touch to See. These books, which brought classic characters like Superworm to life, played a significant role in Eleanor's development.
She says, "It just kind of opened my imagination really, because suddenly it was open to my fingertips."
The charity sent a box of these books for filming, and Eleanor's smile as she read Braille and recalled stories from her childhood was heartwarming. She explained the tactile details, saying, "The nose and eyes are smoother than the face and ears. You wouldn't think about that."
Her dad, Tim, adds, "These books allowed her to learn through tactile art, enhancing her knowledge on things she couldn't see."
Eleanor's talent extends beyond her academic pursuits. She's a performer, having played Tiny Tim in A Christmas Carol at the Old Vic and voiced the animated character Lark in Milo on Channel 5.
The BBC has followed her preparations to narrate a live audio description of The Witches at the National Theatre, a role typically performed by sighted individuals.
Despite the uncertainty of her future sight, Eleanor remains positive. Without a medical miracle, her brain tumor will persist, and her treatments will continue into her teens and twenties.
But this bright girl from Hampton chooses to focus on the good. She says, "I try not to be negative because a lot of negative stuff has happened to me. I want to focus on all the good stuff I'm doing."
A truly inspiring story, don't you think? What are your thoughts on Eleanor's journey and the impact of charities like Living Paintings? We'd love to hear your comments and opinions!
