Charity’s support ‘gives veteran his life again'

An army veteran who served across the world says our support has given him his life back.

Andrew Bruce, who lives in Falkirk, started experiencing macular degeneration in 2022.

As his macular degeneration worsened, the 78-year-old started missing obstacles and injuring himself.

Andrew said: “I started having accidents, tripping on bins and falling when I stepped into a pothole.

"Because of this, I lost my confidence going out of the house.”

This loss of independence was difficult for Andrew to adapt to. As a former Postal Engineer with the Royal Engineers, he had travelled the world.

Andrew learned Long Cane techniques over several weeks.

“Audrey gave me instructions on how to use a Long Cane and sweep the ground in front of me. I’ve learnt about not crossing the road on corners, I move about 20 feet down, before crossing. She also taught me to find the small button under the traffic light box. You can put your finger on it and when the lights go green, it spins around and you know it’s time to cross. I’d never heard of that before, but now I use it every time.”

Since Andrew started losing his sight, he started a new hobby to keep his hands and mind busy.

Andrew said: “I’ve gone back to Lego. I find playing with Lego really good therapy and relaxing. The hours zoom away when I get into it.

“I make all sorts of things: scenes of Ancient Egypt, vehicles, and spaceships. There’s no limit to what you can make. I find the pieces by touch, rather than looking. It’s quite a good hobby for someone who has no sight, once you know the shape of the bricks.

“I’ve now got stacks of boxes of Lego. My granddaughter used to do Lego, and I also went to car boot sales to buy Lego.”

Andrew uses a device called a Colorino Talking Colour Identifier that was supplied by Sight Scotland Veterans.

“When I lost my sight, I couldn’t tell what colour the Lego was. Once again, Audrey and Sight Scotland Veterans came to the rescue with the Colorino device. You aim the Colorino at the Lego piece and it’ll say, ‘intense red’ or ‘light yellow’.

Andrew also follows instructions to build specific Lego scenes.

“You can find every kit that Lego has made on the Lego Website. There’s a catalogue of items and a recipe of the bricks for building it. I don’t have to buy the boxes though, because I’ve got all the bricks already. I’d encourage others to give it a go.”

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Andrew also attends sessions at Sight Scotland Veterans' Linburn Centre – an activity centre in West Lothian. The purpose-built centre has specialist equipment and activities like art, fitness, woodworking, I.T. and social groups for veterans impacted by vision loss.

Andrew said: “At woodworking, I made a box for my Lego, and a planter box I’ve now got in the garden. They also have archery, laser shooting, and indoor and outdoor bowling. The archery is different because you cannae’ see the target, but you follow the instructions of the person you’re with. They use a clockface to direct you, such as saying ‘steady-on to 12 a clock’. You let go and you’re surprised when you actually hit the target. You’d never think a blind person could go hit a target.”

Andrew said: “Visiting the centre is the highlight of my week. I get picked up in a minibus and they take me there. Those staff at Linburn, they are superb. They have patience and also personality – they’re a lot of fun. I would go five days a week if I could. It also gives my wife a break! You won’t always think of that, the impact on your partner.”

Sight Scotland Veterans provides free advice and support to the families, loved ones and friends of veterans impacted by sight loss too. Joining Sight Scotland Veterans is free, and membership is open to anyone living with sight loss who has served in the Armed Forces – including National Service.

You can refer a veteran here, or call us on 0800 035 6409 for more information.