Abbie Robinson Interview

Maximising Memory

Abbie Robinson is a 2 time World Champion paraclimber in the B2 category (as of 2020). Her visual impairment gives her a unique view of the world. Stargardt Macular Dystrophy means Abbie has a deterioration in her central vision and she compensates with her peripheral vision.

Reading this, you may be sighted, but for any sighted person the retinal images sent to the brain via the optic nerve are not crystal clear. Our brain makes the images based on memory and experience of the world. I wanted to speak to Abbie about her experience. It made me wonder how well we use all of our vision and all of our memories and experience. Abbie excels at this.

Listening to her it’s obvious she is ready to meet any challenge head on and has a true spirit of an athlete (and yes she did say that she can climb the Moon Board with her eyes closed - which is not the slightest bit surprising when you see her climb).