RNIB Conversations

If you’re a contact lenses user, you might not realise the danger you expose your eyes to by doing something as simple as letting your contact lenses come in contact with tap water. 

 

Fiona Henriquez is a Professor of Parasitology at the University of the West of Scotland and has been researching a parasite that could potentially rob you off your sight. 

 

Speaking with RNIB Connect Radio’s Simon Pauley, Professor Henriquez advises how to best look after our contact lenses. 

A new survey reveals that just over half of dogs could be considered obese. These statistics can be concerning, especially for those of us that rely on a guide dog for independence.   

 

With our dogs’ health at stake are we providing our four-legged companions with the best diet?

 

Canine Nutritionist and Behaviourist, Anna Webb and founder of 'Poppy’s Picnic', Dylan Watkins spoke with us about these concerns and why we should pay more attention to what we feed our dogs.

 

Anna and Dylan spoke with RNIB Connect Radio’s Simon Pauley. 

 

For more information visit: https://poppyspicnic.co.uk/ 

Sight loss comes with certain milestones that are not always easy to accept; being registered severely sight impaired or blind can be considered one such adjustment.

 

We spoke with Daniel Williams, founder of Visualise Training and Consultancy, about the benefits of being registered blind or severely sight impaired and why it’s important to embrace that part of sight loss.

 

Daniel spoke with RNIB Connect Radio’s Simon Pauley.

 

For more information about Visualise Training and Consultancy visit: https://www.visualisetrainingandconsultancy.com/

Escape Rooms are lots of fun, but can be very frustrating if you can’t see properly, taking away from the whole experience.

 

Frustrated with lack of accessible options Hannah Hammond with the support of Ministry of Startups created Access Escape, London’s first ever Escape Room that is played completely in the dark. 

 

Hannah spoke with RNIB Connect Radio’s Simon Pauley about the unique idea and explained why having an inclusive experience is so important. 

 

To book visit: https://www.accessescape.com/ 

(Photo shows words 'ACCESS ESCAPE' written over a black background. 'ACCESS' is written above and in white with a the A shaped like a key hole, whilst the C in 'ESCAPE' is shaped like a cog.)

Exciting developments are happening as research funded by Fight for Sight and carried out by University of Cambridge and University of Melbourne looks at using molecular scaffolding to potentially save sight of millions of people around the world. 

 

Professor Keith Martin spoke with us about the research and what it could mean for the future treatment of eye conditions like Glaucoma.

 

Professor Martin spoke with RNIB Connect Radio’s Simon Pauley.

(Photo shows: Professor Keith Martin and Andy Osborne. Professor Martin is dressed in a bright blue dress shirt and holding up a laptop, both gentlemen are smiling at the camera)

Kelly Ephgrave is a young mum of three boys who lives with a rare form of macular degeneration called Best Disease.

 

Over the years, the condition slowly robbed her of her sight and now Kelly faces the reality of two of her sons inheriting the disease.

 

Kelly spoke with RNIB Connect Radio’s Simon Pauley about the live-changing condition and why it needs to be researched more.

(Photo shows Kelly sitting down and looking directly at the camera with a sombre expression. She has blond shoulder-length hair and is wearing a jean jacket over a black top /Photo credit: Macular Society)

For more information about macular disease visit: https://www.macularsociety.org/ 

Gareth Davies lost his sight gradually throughout his adult life, but he didn’t let that stop him from giving it all to his passion, rugby. 

 

Blind rugby has taken off in the UK over the last few years thanks to the Change Foundation and this year will see Team England attend the first ever Blind Rugby World Cup in Tokyo. 

 

Speaking with RNIB Connect Radio’s Simon Pauley, Gareth explains what drew him to the sport. 

 

For more information visit: https://www.thechangefoundation.org.uk/ 

(Photo shows Gareth dressed in blue and navy as he plays rugby on a green pitch) 

ITV’s Vidar Hjardeng is back with his latest review of an audio described performance.

 

This time Vidar takes a look at Birmingham Hippodrome and Leicester Curve's musical: ‘The Color Purple’.

 

Based on the Pulitzer prize-winning novel by Alice Walker, the story spans 40 years following the life of Celie, as she navigates racially divided southern America to try and find her own voice.

 

Vidar spoke with RNIB Connect Radio’ Simon Pauley. 

Nigel Limb lost his sight in a traumatic speedway accident a few years ago.

 

Since then, Nigel’s been back on his bike and next month will see him join the Ken Fox Wall Of Death UK, a death defying motorcycle stunt show.  

 

Nige spoke with RNIB Connect Radio’s Simon Pauley about the exciting opportunity and why he’s not ready to give up his bike.

 

You can find Nigel on Facebook by searching for: ‘Blindbloke Racing’. 

 

For more information about the Wall of Death visit: http://www.wall-of-death.co.uk/ 

(Photo shows Nigel sitting on a bike inside the Wall of Death. The silodrome is lit with an eerie red light)

Blind Dave had an unfortunate accident last week whilst going about his day. 

 

Catching up with RNIB Connect Radio’s Simon Pauley, Dave explained that there are some things you just can’t prepare yourself for.

 

Follow Dave on Facebook at ‘Blind Dave Heely’ or on twitter: @blinddaveheeley