A MUM who gradually lost her sight from the age of seven met the Queen at St James Palace last Monday, where she also made a speech at the packed RNIB Royal Gala dinner.
Kate Crofts, of Tiptree, who only has peripheral vision, spoke about the support she has received from the charity and the donations needed for its work to continue.
She also featured in a short film about the different stages of blindness, in which she wrote and performed the voice over.
The film is about Kate's experience of sight loss through the eyes of eight-year-old Maddie Scott, who also suffers from problems with her sight.
Mrs Crofts told the Chronicle: "It was fantastic and just magical and wonderful. My husband described all the armour around us and these ancient swords that had actually been in battle."
Mystery still surrounds Kate's sight loss - as an only child there's only a small genetic stock that can be tested and the condition has not been passed on to either of her two children. "The more money raised the better, because gene therapy research could benefit a lot of people.
"People asked if it took confidence to speak like that in public, but I've never allowed my disability to hold me back and I've always enjoyed my life and been a confident person.
"I don't get as star struck as most people because I don't see all the media coverage. I tend to take people as I find them, whether it's the Queen or someone taking my glass," said Kate.
