MP highlights the plight of 3,000 people in every constituency
Yesterday, John Baron MP hosted the RNIB’s Parliamentary reception which was designed to give MPs a first hand experience of the everyday challenges faced by blind and partially sighted people. MPs were invited to wear a blindfold and then asked to carry out some everyday tasks, like making a cup of tea and using a cash machine, within the kitchen and bank areas that had been set up in the House of Commons.
John said:
“The reception reminded MPs of the everyday challenges faced by blind and partially sighted people. Simple tasks like trying to withdraw cash or make a cup of tea can be daunting, and it is important we all help to ensure appropriate support is in place.”
“On average there are 3,000 blind or partially sighted people in every constituency. We should never underestimate the feeling of isolation, particularly for those who were born with their sight and then lose it. RNIB does a tremendous amount to help people in those situations.”
There are nearly 2 million people living in the UK with sight loss, and every day another 100 people start to lose their sight. A shocking 23 per cent of people losing their sight leave the eye clinic without even being certain of the name of the condition that caused their sight loss. The majority are getting no support when they lose their sight – most receive no counselling and are left to cope with their diagnosis alone.
Steve Winyard, Head of Campaigns at RNIB, said “Every week in the UK hundreds of people begin to lose their sight. You might think that support services would be waiting to step in and help, but that’s not the reality many people experience. For example, we know that in the weeks after being registered as blind or partially sighted many people will not be visited by social services. A year after losing their sight only about a quarter of people will be offered mobility training to get out and about independently. RNIB is campaigning to ensure that everyone diagnosed with sight loss gets the practical and emotional support that they need to rebuild their lives.”
Ends
Word Count: 375
Date: 10th June 2010
Notes to Editors
The attached photograph shows John with Steve Winyard.
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