An inspirational talk by “the world’s fastest blind man” Steve Cunningham helped to launch the Isle of Man’s first Vision Awareness Week.
Manx Blind Welfare Society has organised Vision Awareness Week to improve public understanding of the challenges faced by blind and visually impaired people living in the Isle of Man, promote eye health and highlight the work of the Society and others including RNIB, Guide Dogs and the Macular Society in the Island. The launch, sponsored by Specsavers, was held at the Manx Museum on Monday.
Charity President, His Honour Deemster Jack Corrin, opened the event by welcoming special guests, including Isle of Man Health Minister Howard Quayle, and outlining the mission statement and key themes of Vision Awareness Week.
He said it was vital to highlight what society can do to assist blind and visually impaired people because, even in a small community like the Isle of Man, there is considerable lack of understanding of the difficulties faced by those with sight problems and how they can be supported to live as independently as they choose.
Steve, who has set World Records on land and on water, as well as piloting a plane around the UK and captaining the England blind football team, continued that theme in his talk.
After describing how he lost his sight aged 12, Steve explained the challenges he had faced as he attempted to live independently and how some he encountered tried to limit his ambitions due to his blindness.
He said it is important to educate and inform society about visual impairment so people understand what it means and that it doesn’t necessarily diminish a person’s desire to achieve. Steve added it is the responsibility of charities like Manx Blind Welfare Society to make sure as many visually impaired people are aware of the support and services available as possible, so they are given the ‘burning desire to go out and achieve’.
He explained how he had set World Records in a car, powerboat and plane, and fulfilled a childhood ambition by captaining his country’s football team, and added: ‘These challenges are all about breaking barriers down, not breaking records. It is about giving society the knowledge and understanding that clearly they need to understand us.
‘Once we have given them that understanding, the equality will actually take place.’
He challenged the audience to question their own limitations, whether visually impaired or not, and called on them to ‘be the best that you can be’.
The launch was closed by Society Chairman Charles Fargher, who paid tribute to Steve’s inspiring spirit and said he hoped Vision Awareness Week would help inform the community and encourage blind and visually impaired people.
Speaking afterwards, Chief Executive Officer Ian Cooil said: ‘Steve captivated his audience and wonderfully embodied exactly what Vision Awareness Week is trying to achieve.
‘People have a right to live their lives as they want, and they should be encouraged to break barriers and set ambitious goals if they choose, just like Steve. As a society, we should be recognising that desire and doing all we can to help blind and visually impaired people achieve those ambitions.
‘There are simple things we can do in everyday life, like keeping pavements clear and not being reluctant to engage with visually impaired people, and more society can do, in terms of improving access to services in every sector. This week is about highlighting those issues and ensuring that blind and visually impaired people in our community are not excluded or refused the right to pursue their ambitions.’
There are events throughout the week, including roadshows giving people the opportunity to find out more about services available for visually impaired people in the Isle of Man, and information on how to look after your eyesight. The roadshows will be from 10am to 3pm at Castletown Civic Hall on 16th September, Corrin Hall, Peel, on 17th September, Ramsey Town Hall on 18th September and Promenade Church, Douglas, on 19th September.
The week concludes with Walk My Way, sponsored by Conister Bank, on 21st September. Entrants will be paired up, with one blindfolded, to walk from the War Memorial on Harris Promenade to opposite the Empress Hotel on Central Promenade and back during the event, which is intended to encourage the community to experience the challenges faced by the visually impaired and learn some skills which they can use every day to safely and confidently guide visually impaired people.
Walk My Way is open to teams and individuals, and entry is free, although a sponsorship form is available for anyone who would like to raise money to support the work of Manx Blind Welfare Society. Signing on starts at 2pm and the walk begins at 3pm. For more information email enquiries@mbws.org.im or call 674727.
To find out more about MBWS, visit www.facebook.com/manxblindwelfaresociety
Photo - (from left) Adrian Higgins of Specsavers, Health Minister Howard Quayle, Steve Cunningham and his dog Foster, and Manx Blind Welfare Society President, His Honour Deemster Jack Corrin.
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