Visually impaired friends take on the Edinburgh Kiltwalk for Sight Scotland

Ellen’s journey from injury to independence

Ellen’s visual impairment followed a cycling accident in 2012, after which she spent six months in hospital after suffering a severe brain injury. The accident changed many aspects of Ellen’s life.

“I was on a cycling trip with my partner near Peebles when I crashed. I do not remember the accident itself, but I was in hospital for six months and spent five-and-a-half weeks in a coma. The accident resulted in a severe brain injury that caused both visual and cognitive impairments. I can be forgetful now and sometimes get confused, which can be frustrating.”

Despite these challenges, Ellen retains some vision and continues to travel, stay active and get involved in her community.

“I also consider myself fortunate because I still have some vision. My sight is hazy, and not good on my right side, and I may also be developing a cataract. But I am still capable, and recently I travelled to Australia and Thailand which was amazing.”

Finding connection through Sight Loss Councils

Ellen also volunteers with Sight Loss Councils Edinburgh, an experience she says has helped bring purpose and connection back into her life. Before her accident, Ellen ran her own financial consultancy business and regularly travelled to London. After the accident, she found herself facing a much quieter life. Being part of Sight Loss Councils has helped her reconnect with other people with visual impairment and become involved in improving accessibility.

“I love being part of Sight Loss Councils Edinburgh, it has had a huge impact on my life. It gets me out of the house, keeps me active, and gives me a real sense of purpose. Sight Loss Councils are all about helping people and making the world more accessible for those living with visual impairment."

For Ellen, that sense of connection is particularly important. She wants other people living with sight loss to know that they are not alone, and that changes in vision needn’t limit how they lead their lives.

“When you are not connected with other people who have visual impairments, it can be easy to feel isolated. Being part of the Sight Loss Councils reminds us that we are not alone. We support one another, challenge misconceptions, and help people understand that we are still capable of living full, active lives and doing the things they enjoy.”

Walking to raise funds as well as awareness

Bilal and Ellen are taking on the Edinburgh Kiltwalk in the hopes that their fundraising will help support Sight Scotland’s work, while their participation also creates an opportunity to challenge misconceptions about visual impairment and show the importance of accessibility, inclusion and connection.

“Raising money is important, but just as importantly, it’s an opportunity to raise awareness of the challenges people with visual impairment face and to highlight the support that is available."

The role of Sight Loss Councils Scotland

Sight Loss Councils Scotland are run by Sight Scotland, Sight Scotland Veterans and Visibility Scotland and delivered in partnership with the Thomas Pocklington Trust. There are currently three Sight Loss Councils in Scotland, based in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Dumfries and Galloway. Each Council is made up of visually impaired volunteers who use their lived experience to address local and national issues and champion accessibility, inclusion and equality. For Bilal and Ellen, taking part in the Edinburgh Kiltwalk is another way to put those values into action and to celebrate what people with sight loss can achieve, support each other and help create a more accessible Scotland.