With over 50% of our trustees living with sight loss, Southampton Sight is uniquely placed to reach out and educate the wider community and speak about what it is to live a full and empowered life when visually impaired.
No one understands the immediate impact of sight loss better than one of our longest serving trustee’s, Tom. Having lost his sight overnight some 40+ years ago, Tom knows only too well the roller coaster ride sudden vision loss causes, the emotional as well as physical hurdles it brings, and the return to independence, life and love that the right intervention, rehabilitation, and empowerment can deliver. Not to mention a guide dog or two…
Now retired after an illustrious career helping others regain their lives with sight loss, traveling the length and breadth of the UK with only his trusty guide dog by his side, Tom now frequently speaks about his journey back to happiness, self-reliance and success.
Having run the London Marathon, scaled the heights of the Sydney Bridge, and abseiled down the Spinnaker Tower, all after his loss of sight, Tom now routinely talks on behalf of Southampton Sight at Southampton General hospital, explaining to each new batch of 4th year medical students that the loss of sight does not have to mean the loss of life.
Happily married, physically fit, and mentally strong, Tom is a genuine inspiration to us all, sight impaired or not. But then again, marathon’s or not, some will only ever have eyes for his guide dog, Toby… Ah, well… tis a dogs life, after all!
Photo Description: Tom with guide dog Toby.
