Brian, a Royal Marines veteran with age-related macular degeneration (AMD), has been able to continue honouring his late wife thanks to assistive equipment provided by Sight Scotland Veterans.
Brian served as a Captain in the Royal Marines, beginning his service at the age of seventeen and continuing until his retirement. He and his wife, Marion, enjoyed their retirement together, with Brian becoming Marion’s devoted carer as her health declined.
In March 2024, during a hospital stay at Inverclyde Royal Hospital in Greenock, Marion struggled to stay warm. Determined to help, Brian searched multiple stores for warm pyjamas, but nothing proved adequate. Undeterred, Brian decided to take matters into his own hands and make a pair of warm pyjamas for her himself. Marion loved them, and Brian eventually made five pairs in total. With each pair, he refined the design and improved his efficiency, crafting pyjamas that were both warmer and more comfortable than the last.
Sadly, Marion passed away on 16th December 2024. In her memory, Brian laundered all of her pyjamas and took them to the ward where his late wife had stayed, sharing them with other patients. They were gratefully received, and this heartfelt gesture inspired Brian to start making pyjamas regularly for patients who were feeling cold and lacked the means or family support. Over time, he refined the design, invested in a professional overlocking machine to cut and seal seams efficiently, and continually seeks out warm, cheerful fleecy fabrics to make each pair as comforting as possible.
Brian continues to visit his late wife’s ward about once a week, bringing his beautifully handmade, fleecy pyjamas for the staff to distribute to patients in need. He never accepts payment, funding all materials himself, driven purely by kindness and a desire to help others stay warm and comfortable.
Brian was diagnosed with early-stage age related macular degeneration (AMD). Although he has adapted admirably to his condition, it has recently made it difficult for him to see fine details, particularly when threading his overlocking machine to make pyjamas, a craft he is passionate about.
Recognising the challenge, the Sight Scotland Veterans Rehab team stepped in to help. They provided Brian with MaxDETAIL Clip ons, specially designed to fit onto his prescription glasses. These innovative magnifiers allow him to see his work clearly, hands free, enabling him to continue creating his pyjamas with precision.
“I want to thank Sight Scotland Veterans for all the help and support they have given me. I love making the pyjamas and supporting the hospital which did so much for Marion when she was alive. It really does feel like I am keeping her memory alive and it means so much to me.”
Katrina Campbell, a Rehabilitation Officer at Sight Scotland Veterans, adds:
“We were delighted to help Brian keep the memory of his late wife alive through the work he loves. Rehabilitation is vital because it often provides people with visual impairment the skills, adapted aids and confidence to keep doing the things that matter to them. Those small wins - like continuing a much loved hobby - can make such a huge difference.”
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