AN INSPIRATIONAL partially–sighted woman from Weymouth is on her way to becoming a fully-fledged boxer.

Janice Wheeler found out that she was losing her sight when she was completing the final year of her art degree.

She has macular degeneration, which causes loss of the central line of sight.

She said: “With losing your sight, getting through the day can be exhausting.

"I suffered from depression and anxiety, and spent several years just being anxious all the time. With boxing it’s a lovely physical exhaustion. If I can get in the ring and box I can do anything."

Janice said she had never really considered taking up boxing and was actually against it, but a friend introduce her to the Fight Back Mental Health scheme and coach Lewis Chambers.

Fight Back Mental Health is a free group that is designed to promote social inclusion and help people on their recovery within their mental health journey.

It is open to all and runs every Monday morning at the Weymouth Amateur Boxing Club.

Lewis said: "We have basic exercise to keep fit, a recovery and focus group and we work with service and help recovery.

"Over 800 people have been through the door in the last few years, and since we started we’ve got individuals back into work, one person is back running his business and people have been discharged from mental health services.

"We’ve had people go on to college as their confidence has improved.”

Janice said: “When I lost my sight everyone was saying 'you can’t be an artist any more, you can’t do this and can’t do that'. When I came down here, Lewis said 'well let’s see what you can do, you'll surprise yourself'.

“I love boxing. I was very surprised to enjoy it but I’ve gained a lot of confidence, and what Lewis says is something completely different to what everyone else has been saying.”

Janice has been inspired to possibly try competing in Paralympic boxing.

She said: “I’m potentially looking at how we could make that happen. Yes there are conditions to be careful of like head-hitting, but I think it would be good.

"I spar with my friend Kelly who is sighted, and we’re working on how to accommodate different levels of sight."

Janice is now becoming a fully-fledged member of Weymouth Boxing Club.

She is an avid artist, having run exhibitions in the past and planning on setting up more.

She said: “I like Turner, particularly his later work. He struggled with his sight and in some of his paintings there are swirls, and now with my eyes I can see a swirl and can see why he painted like that!"