A busy working mum with two daughters under the age of two, life is pretty full-on for Paige Barnes, an airport security guard. As she cuddles baby Millie, three months, and 18-month-old Arabella, it’s hard to believe that this extraordinary woman is deaf and blind.

She didn’t even realise how poor her sight was until her late teens. Paige, 25, of Chessington, Greater London, whose partner, Sam George, 28, also works at Heathrow Airport, says: “I’ve worn a cochlear implant since I was a baby, which helps me to hear. I lip read, too. But I didn't actually find out I was registered blind until I was 17.

“I'd always had poor eyesight, but when I went with my mum to get some new glasses, the optician told her that I was blind. She was so shocked. ‘No, it can't be true’, I remember her saying.”

Further tests resulted in a diagnosis of Usher’s syndrome type 3, an extremely rare genetic condition causing progressive hearing and vision loss and sometimes balance issues, affecting around 1 in every 100,000 people. Paige says: “When my mum asked how I hadn’t noticed something was wrong, I had just assumed it was normal and that everyone saw the world that way.”

She is telling her story to mark July’s Disability Pride Month, which is dedicated to celebrating disabled identity, challenging societal stigma, and advocating for accessibility and inclusion. Never letting her disability hold her back, Paige has even signed up to run a marathon for disability charity Sense, which was formed by two mothers of deafblind children 70 years ago.

But life is not without its challenges. Paige says: “Growing up as a deaf girl, I wasn't treated very nicely in primary school, because I was seen as different.”

Of her vision loss, she continues: “I was offered a white stick, but I felt it would bring too much attention to me. Some people over the years have treated me like I am stupid because of my disability, spoken to me like I’m a child, or assumed I’m less capable. Sometimes people become frustrated if I don’t hear them.”

Getting her job at the airport was a massive confidence boost. Paige says: “I work on the security lanes, carrying out body searches, searching bags, scanning boarding passes and patrolling the terminal. Although my peripheral vision is affected, my central vision is strong, so visual tasks are one of my strengths.

“Patrolling can be more challenging, because of radio communication, but my employer has been very supportive and we’ve found adjustments that allow me to do my job safely and effectively. When I applied, the job was ‘disability confident,’ which gave me the confidence to go for it.

“I walk a little slower in busy areas to avoid bumping into people or equipment, and wear a hidden disability lanyard, so colleagues and customers are aware if I need a little extra understanding. My condition has made me resilient, determined, and always focused on safety. I may have a disability, but you can do anything you want to do.”

Dating, however, was disheartening - until she met Sam. Paige says: “Nobody wanted to date me. When I made a profile for myself on Tinder, I spoke to a couple of boys, but when they found out I was deafblind, I never heard from them again. “It really knocked my confidence. I took it really personally. I’m still me, I just can’t see or hear as well as everyone else.”

Then, in November 2022, Sam sent her a message. Paige remembers: “He said I looked pretty, but because of my previous experience of being ghosted I was quite wary.”

She needn’t have worried, continuing: “Sam was the first person to actually meet up with me. When I told him I was deaf, I waited for him to never speak to me again. I was really worried. But he carried on chatting and said, ‘is your blood red?’ I said ‘yes.’ And he replied, ‘there you go - everyone is the same.’ It really stood out for me. I was emotional. I knew he was the one.”

Their first date, going bowling and for a meal in Kingston-upon-Thames, was a success and they soon became a couple. Paige says: “I do think people probably wonder why he'd date someone with a disability. But he's never made me feel anything other than loved - he loves me for me. That was a massive green flag.”

Sam interjects: "I don't wake up every day and think, ‘I'm with a deafblind girl.’ To me, she’s just Paige and I love her unconditionally. Paige is a brilliant mum, and I couldn't be more proud of her."

When, in March 2024, they discovered they were having Arabella, while they were delighted, Paige worried about passing on Usher’s to her baby. She says: “I always wanted to be a mum. But I had concerns. I have that bad gene. But, for them to get it, my partner would have to have that exact same gene too. And, thankfully, both Arabella and Millie have been born hearing well.”

Being a deafblind mum does present challenges. She recalls once accidentally crashing her pram into another mum coming towards her. No one was hurt and she apologised profusely, but says: “It left me feeling shaken and embarrassed.”

And there are other hazards. She continues: “I can't drive, which limits what I can do with the kids. And my peripheral vision means I can't see things like wet floor signs.

“At night, if I need to go into the kids’ rooms, or make a bottle of milk for them, I need the full lights to be on, which can wake them up. If they drop their dummy, I have to feel around on my hands and knees. I’m very clumsy too, which was a concern when my babies were newborns. I was scared of walking into things and dropping them. Thankfully, that hasn't happened yet.

“But we still go swimming, to soft play, the park and on family days out, just like any other family. I plan ahead, stick to routines, stay organised and keep my children close when we’re out, so I can always be aware of where they are. Busy places can be the hardest - crossing roads with a pram, or not hearing someone call my child’s name if they wander a few steps away. Those situations can feel more stressful for me than they might for another parent.”

Paige and Sam have also made some home adaptations. She says: “I like to keep things organised and in familiar places, so I can move around confidently and safely. I rely on routines, good lighting and making sure the girls’ toys and everyday items aren’t left where I could trip over them.”

And she’s determined to teach her girls that being different is ok. She says: “I’m raising disability advocates. I will make sure my kids grow up understanding the condition and knowing how to support me and each other.”

Now considering having a third baby, to complete her family, Paige says: “I’d like to marry Sam, too - I’m still waiting for the ring! I adore being a mum and Sam is a brilliant dad. People may assume I shouldn't be a mum because I am deaf and blind. But my kids have all the love in the world. I have a disability, but to them, I am just ‘Mummy’.”

*For more information, see sense.org.uk