RNIB Conversations

RNIB Connect Radio's Barry Snell caught up with Scottish blind golfer Barry McCluskey. Barry is just back from the Vision Cup in Dublin, where he helped Europe to victory over their North American counterparts, by sinking the winning putt.

In this interview Barry reflects on a whirlwind few years and talks about his own plans for the future, which include working with visually impaired children and also opening his own visually impaired golf academy.

www.visioncup.ie

www.barrymccluskeyblindgolfer.co.uk

Many of us are aware of the need to protect our skin from harmful UV radiation, but are we just as good at protecting our eyes? We spoke with Optometrist and columnist for Optometry Today Elizabeth Yeowart and Optometrist and vision care expert Dr Debbie Laughton, from ZEISS, to find out how we can best care for our eyes this summer. RNIB Connect Radio’s Simon Pauley spoke with Elizabeth Yeowart and Dr Debbie Laughton. (Image shows a man wearing sunglasses and smiling)

An innovative laser procedure could double the number of patients receiving sight-saving transplants.  Parwez Hossain, Professor in Ophthalmology at the University of Southampton, spoke with us about the ground-breaking treatment and what it could mean for the VI community.  Professor Hossain spoke with RNIB Connect Radio’s Simon Pauley.

(Photo shows a close up of a striking blue eye) 

Diagnosis of sight loss can be devastating, but how do you take such news when it's your child being diagnosed? Jackie Mann is a terrific mum to seven-year-old Micah who was diagnosed with Norrie Disease, a rare genetic condition that causes sight loss from birth and can lead to progressive loss of hearing. Speaking with RNIB Connect Radio’s Simon Pauley, Jackie explains how their life changed since the diagnosis and what they’re doing to ensure Micah has a happy and full life. 
 For previous part of the series: https://audioboom.com/posts/7285696-coping-with-your-child-s-sight-loss-pt-2
 
(Photo: A close up image of a child's blue eye) 

Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness in the world, and it is predicted that 80 million people will have the disease by 2020. 

For Glaucoma Awareness Week (17-23 June), The International Glaucoma Association (IGA) are raising awareness of the condition, as well highlighting the breakthrough in detection through the use of AI technology. 

RNIB Connect Radio's Barry Snell spoke with Karen Osborn, CEO of the International Glaucoma Association (IGA) and also Anthony Khawaja, consulatant Opthalmic Surgeon at Moorfield's Eye Hospital, to find out more

The charity SeeAbility provides specialist support, accommodation and eye care help for people with learning disabilities, autism and sight loss.

This year marks the charity's 220th birthday.

RNIB Connect Radio's Barry Snell spoke with their head of eye care and vision Laura Christie, to learn more about the charity, their goals for the future and their plans to mark this significant anniversary.

www.seeability.org

Are we nostalgic travellers or creatures of comfort?  Broadcaster Laura Hamilton, best known for presenting Channel 4’s ‘A Place in the Sun’, spoke with us about holidays, accessibility, and how we can get the most out of those ‘repetitive holidays’.  Laura spoke with RNIB Connect Radio’s Simon Pauley.  For more information visit: https://www.visitorlando.com/en

What if we told you that just through touch and sound you could be transported to the steps of the Scott Monument in Edinburgh?  That’s exactly what SAM(Sensory Audio Map), an innovative design by Dundee student Chloe Nash, does.  Speaking with RNIB Connect Radio’s Simon Pauley, Chloe explained how she hopes her project helps blind and partially sighted people enjoy museums more independently. 

For more information on Chloe’s work: https://clnashdesigns.wordpress.com/  For V&A Dundee’s audio-described tours visit: https://www.vam.ac.uk/dundee/event/80/described-tour-scottish-design-galleries 
 (Photo shows a person standing in front of a large model of the Scott Monument. The model is slightly out of focus and the person is holding a board with a 3D print of the monument mounted inside a board. A bright light in the middle of the 3D figure highlights where to touch the print as the audio guide describes the exhibit. Photo credit: Chloe Nash) 

RNIB Connect Radio's Barry Snell chats to blind golfer Barry McCluskey, who won the prestigious U.S. blind golf open championship in 2018.

Barry reflects on his recent success, living with a visual impairment, and why he would encourage anyone with sight-loss issues to get involved with blind golf.

You can keep up with Barry's latest news at
barrymmccluskeyblindgolfer.co.uk

Diagnosis of sight loss can be devastating, but how do you take such news when it's your child being diagnosed? When her son Ethan was just a baby, Theresa Peacock was told he would lose his sight and possibly his hearing due to a rare genetic condition. Theresa is now a co-founder and Trustee of the Norrie Disease Foundation supporting other families through the illness.  Speaking with RNIB Connect Radio’s Simon Pauley, Theresa takes us through those first years of diagnosis and the ups and downs of raising a child with a relatively unknown condition.  For more information about Norrie Disease visit: https://norriedisease.org.uk/

For Part 1 of the series: https://audioboom.com/posts/7279726-coping-with-your-child-s-sight-loss-pt-1
 
(Photo: A close up image of a child's blue eye)