Tackling negative perceptions of sight loss

Samantha Gough, who features in the campaign

Sight Scotland has launched a new campaign to tackle negative perceptions of people living with sight loss.

Angus Dixon also stars in the campaign

Over the next three months, the ‘More than meets the eye’ campaign will aim to show the 180,000 people living with sight loss in Scotland that vision impairment isn’t a barrier to living a happy and fulfilling life.

Craig Spalding, chief executive of Sight Scotland, said: “Our new campaign message is simple: we know that you are more than meets the eye. We want people living with sight loss to know that we see them for who they are; they are mother’s, writers, musicians, children, avid readers, football players, bingo enthusiasts, people who are living happy and fulfilling lives. They may just need a little help sometimes.

“We want to get rid of the negative perceptions surrounding sight loss and change the narrative to what is possible instead of what is not possible. This campaign will look to remove the common misconceptions and look beyond limitations by celebrating both the resilience and achievements of those living with sight loss.”

Featuring in the campaign is Samantha Gough, 20, who has a vision impairment and attended the charity’s Royal Blind School in Edinburgh. She said: “I find the messaging behind this campaign so uplifting as it’s true that living with sight loss can be difficult, and yes you need extra help at times, but it shouldn’t stop anyone from living their life and doing the things they enjoy.

“I now captain the England Blind Football team, row on the pathway for Great Britian and will hopefully go to the Paralympics maybe even the Olympics. I horse ride, I socialise with friends, I am just so busy, and I love what I am doing. But I know a lot of this wouldn’t have been possible without the help and support I was given by Sight Scotland and the Royal Blind School in particular, as they taught me the skills and gave me the confidence to think I can do these things,” added Samantha.

Watch and share the campaign video here.