A 74-year-old international padel player from Cwmbran is proving that sight loss doesn’t have to mean giving up on sport – and he’s urging others to stay active and positive, no matter the challenges.
Paul Jenkins, a grandfather of seven, has been playing and coaching padel – a fast-paced sport that blends tennis and squash – for 17 years. But in 2023, he was diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the UK’s leading cause of blindness, after noticing blurred vision while playing.
Despite the diagnosis, Paul continues to compete at a high level, representing Wales in the Four Nations men’s team for over-60s. He’s now using his story to raise awareness of macular disease and encourage others with sight loss to stay active and connected.
He said: “I’ve had cancer five times, but I think being told you are going blind is probably the worst of what’s left.
‘Positive person’
“But I’m such a positive person, I asked what it all meant and I was told about injections and that full blindness isn’t really what happens here. Obviously over a period of time I may have to rely on my peripheral vision.
“If I lose my sight, that will be massive. I can still maintain good vision for now, and I should be okay for a while especially with my injections, but it would be heartbreaking not to see my wife, the kids, the grandchildren.
“And it’s the same for my sport, because I’m playing for my country. No matter the sport or age, to represent them with the jersey is a very proud moment.
“I am always trying to stay positive because I want to continue playing and coaching. I want to enjoy this sport for as long as I can because if my sight is no good, then it will be a great struggle. I just want people to enjoy padel too as much as I have in the 17 years I’ve been playing.”
Padel is typically played on enclosed courts, with glass or mesh walls and a net dividing the sides. Paul says he’s adapted his game to suit his changing vision – using the glass wall to give himself more time to react and relying on smart shot placement to stay competitive.
Spain
Originally introduced to padel while living in Spain after retirement, Paul quickly fell in love with the sport and now plays regularly back in Wales. He’s passionate about showing that sight loss doesn’t mean giving up – and that padel, like many sports, can be adapted to suit different abilities.
Paul said: “Padel is a fantastic social sport, but even if people don’t want to try it, try pickleball, try the gym, play some tennis, or squash, or try jogging or walking. Whatever you can do, do it.
“Even if you can’t see well, you don’t even have to be an athlete, it doesn’t matter. In padel I position myself at the back more than be the runaround and that’s my game. It’s great what people can still do so they should give it a go, try something new.”
Figures from the Macular Society show nearly 1.5 million people in the UK are affected by macular disease, with AMD being the most common form. The condition can lead to loss of central vision, making everyday tasks like reading, driving or recognising faces difficult.
For advice or support, contact the Macular Society helpline on 0300 303 0111, email [email protected], or visit the charity’s website.