Issue 500 – Mayor experiences life without sight

WESTBURY mayor, cllr David Windess, recently got to experience what life is like for millions of blind and partially sighted people.

To raise awareness on World Sight Day, on Saturday 22nd October, David was blindfolded and provided with a white cane, before being led around the town by the Lions.
David was accompanied by his wife Trudy, Hilary Reed and her guide dog in training, and members of Westbury Lions. As well as walking around town David also had to undertake tasks such as buying a cup of coffee.
David said, “I found the experience strange and a little unnerving, I had a loss of balance and felt disorientated. I had to rely on my wife Trudy to guide me (she led me into a post and a sign!). I got a real feeling of what it must be like to lose your sight, thankfully it was only for a short time.
“The Lions do wonderful work to help the blind and partially sighted.”
Since its inception in 1990, the LionsSight First programme has played a key role in reducing blindness worldwide. It is only through the collaborative efforts of Lions, their partners, local health authorities, eye care professionals and other non-governmental organizations that SightFirst has been able to help 30million people have improved or restored vision. SightFirst serves as a leading member of VISION 2020, the global initiative for the elimination of avoidable blindness.