When Catherine lost her sight in a devastating horse-riding accident last October, her life changed in an instant.
An experienced trainer who had spent years working with young horses, she was carrying out a routine training exercise when a horse kicked her in the face.
The impact caused catastrophic injuries, leaving her blind and requiring extensive reconstructive surgery. Yet just eight months later, Catherine has launched her own business, taken up rowing, travelled abroad and has an increasingly busy calendar of events.
“I lost my sight instantly,” she explains. “Both eye sockets, both cheekbones and my nose were completely crushed.”
The injuries were severe, but Catherine’s outlook remained remarkably practical. “I’ve always been the type of person who thinks that things happen and you can’t change them. It happened, so I couldn’t really do much about it.”
That mindset, combined with strong support from family, friends and her partner Jack, helped her navigate those first difficult weeks.
Returning home
When Catherine came home from hospital, she and Jack made a decision not to reorganise their lives around her sight loss.
The couple’s flat had a bedroom accessed via an external staircase, but rather than moving everything downstairs, they continued using the same layout.
“Jack said, ‘Nothing’s going to change.’ So I learned how many steps there were and where I needed to turn. We just carried on.”
For Catherine, much of rehabilitation has involved adapting familiar tasks rather than giving them up altogether.
One of her priorities was returning to cooking, something she has always enjoyed. Through practice, determination and the use of assistive technology, she quickly developed alternative ways of doing things. Simple accessibility tools, including tactile markers for kitchen appliances, have also made everyday tasks easier, but she believes repetition is key. “A lot of it is just practice. You find a different way of doing things.”
Looking forward, not back
Within weeks of the accident, Catherine was already thinking about what came next, and ideas came thick and fast – from a dog-walking business to a horse rehabilitation centre – all these ventures were considered and discarded. Then, during a chat with a friend in a Warwick tearoom, one idea stood out. “The smoothie business was the first idea. I slept on it and thought maybe this is the one.”
The result was The Galloping Berry, a mobile smoothie business operating from a converted horsebox.
What started as a simple plan soon became a major project with Health and Safety regulations, equipment and vehicle conversion work.
Undeterred, she threw herself into it all: food safety training, recipe testing and months perfecting smoothie combinations.
The hard work paid off.
The business debuted at equestrian events, including a five-day event at Aston-le-Walls, where Catherine had previously worked.
“It was so nice to be back out and around people again.”
Finding new challenges
As well as a new business, Catherine has discovered a passion for rowing and trains regularly with a mixed-ability rowing group in Stratford-upon-Avon and hopes to compete later this year.
For someone whose life had revolved around horses, rowing has opened up an entirely new world.
“It’s a huge change from the life I had before, but I think it’s important to find things that you still enjoy.”
Music, food, travel and socialising have all remained important parts of her life too, and when she recently attended a concert with friends, she realised something.
“If I’d still had my sight, I don’t think I could have enjoyed the day any more than I did. We listened to music, had good food and spent time together. It was brilliant.”
Getting the right support
Catherine has received support from the Warwickshire Vision Support Rehabilitation Team and, as with everything she takes on, has embraced the process with positivity and determination.
Maintaining her independence has always been a priority, so learning how to navigate busy high streets and town centres safely was a key part of her rehabilitation.
With practice and guidance, Catherine quickly grew in confidence, becoming comfortable using a long cane when moving around streets and road crossings independently.
Life beyond sight loss
Catherine firmly believes that sight loss does not mean that life stops.
During a visit to a dark dining experience in London, she met a blind waiter who offered some sage advice.
“He said, ‘It’s a new chapter in your life. Just grab it and go for it.'”
Of course, there are difficult days and moments of frustration, but she believes it is possible not just to adapt, but to thrive.
“It’s not what I planned for my life,” she says. “But it’s happened, and you can’t change it.”
Eight months ago, she faced an uncertain future. Today, she is building a business, pursuing new ambitions and showing others that sight loss may change the way you do things, but it doesn’t have to stop you doing them.
As Catherine puts it, this is simply a new chapter – and she’s determined to make the most of it.