Megans dream to see Japan before she can see no more

Imagine seeing the world in all its vibrant colour, capturing its beauty through a camera lens, only to be told that this window to the world is slowly closing. This is the reality for Megan, a bright and creative 14-year-old who has just been registered as medically blind.

Megan is an avid photographer, a teenager with a deep love for Japanese culture, and a kind soul who has faced the challenge of visual impairment her entire life. She has a condition called Optic Atrophy, a devastating diagnosis for which there is currently no cure. The nerves that carry sight from her eyes to her brain are deteriorating, and her vision is fading much faster than any of us were prepared for.

For Megan, every photograph she takes is a memory preserved, a moment of light and colour captured forever. Her passion for Japanese art, history, and daily life has been a source of joy and inspiration, a world she has explored through books, documentaries, and her own imagination.

Before the curtain of darkness falls completely, Megan has one heartfelt dream: to experience Japan in person. To see the things she has only read about, to feel the culture she so deeply admires, and to capture her own unique memories through her camera lens while she still can.

Her dream is not just about seeing the sights; it's about creating a rich tapestry of sensory memories that will last a lifetime. She wants to feel the rumble of the Shinkansen (bullet train) as it speeds through the countryside, a marvel of Japanese engineering. She longs to experience the tranquillity of a traditional Japanese home (ryokan), to walk on tatami mats, and to understand a way of life so different from her own.

For Megan, this trip is also a chance to continue her passion for photography in a place that has captivated her imagination. She wants to photograph the bustling streets of Tokyo, the serene temples of Kyoto, and the everyday moments of Japanese life, creating a final, beautiful collection of images before her sight is gone. This isn't just a holiday; it's a sensory expedition to gather memories through sight, sound, smell, and touch.

We are hoping to raise £3000 to make Megan's dream a reality.

Anything given towards this cause will be used for the following:

Losing your sight at any age is unimaginable, but for a 14-year-old with a passion for the visual world, it is a particularly cruel blow. We cannot give Megan back her sight, but we can give her a precious gift: the chance to fill her memory with the beauty of Japan before it's too late.

Your donation, no matter how small, will bring Megan one step closer to her dream. It will be a message of hope and kindness, a reminder that even in the face of such a profound challenge, there is still immense beauty to be experienced and cherished.

If you are unable to donate, you can still make a huge difference by sharing this campaign with your friends, family, and social networks. The more people who hear Megan's story, the greater the chance we have of making this once-in-a-lifetime trip happen.

Thank you for taking the time to read about Megan's journey. Your support, in any form, means the world to us and to her. Let's come together and help Megan see Japan.