Blind pole vaulter wins bronze medal with 3.5m leap

17-year-old Charlotte Brown took part in the Texas state high school athletics championships on Saturday, and claimed third place in the pole vault.

Yet astonishingly, she went blind at the age of 11 - and is only able to see what she describes as a "jigsaw puzzle" of light and dark.

Charlotte took up pole vaulting three years ago as she was looking for something "dangerous and exciting".

And she has her technique down to a fine art: she counts her seven-step run up, and is allowed a faint beeper on the mat which helps her tell when to plant her pole and start her jump.

Incredibly, she used the technique to clear 3.5m (11'6") on Saturday, earning glory for herself and Emory Rains high school.

"It took me three years to get on the podium, and I finally did it," said Brown, referring to her eighth and fourth place finishes in the last couple of years.

"If I could send a message to anybody, it's not about pole vaulting and it's not about track. It's about finding something that makes you happy despite whatever obstacles are in your way."

Charlotte first developed cataracts when she was just 16 weeks old, and underwent a series of operations and lens implants.

At first, those efforts worked - but from the age of 11 her sight deteriorated again. As little as two years ago she still had "pinhole" vision, but even that has now gone, and she needed her guide dog, Vador, to help her get up onto the podium.

Her parents are hugely proud of her, with dad Ian Brown saying, "we are thrilled she got on the podium" - but also adding that "she came to win".

Charlotte clearly shares that mentality, looking for things that she can do rather than worry about things she can't.

"It’s not about pole vaulting and it’s not about track. It’s about finding something that makes you happy despite whatever obstacles are in your way," she said.

"If there’s a way to do something for yourself, that’s a good idea,” she added.

"When I need to know if my socks match or not, it’s a good time to ask for help. Can’t find Waldo? Probably need to ask for help.”