18 October 2019
Observatory the Opticians and the Beccles & District Lions Club organised a blindfolded walk through the Suffolk town to mark World Sight Day (10 October).
Beccles mayor Andrea Downes took park in the event, which was designed to increase awareness of the challenges that visually impaired people face and overcome every day.
Speaking about the walk, Ms Downes said: “I had heard how senses are heightened when you lose one of them, but I was surprised at just how heightened they were. The wind on my face felt very different and I could hear so many different conversations taking place around me.”
Ms Downes added that although she knows the area very well, she felt “completely disorientated” and found the 20 minute walk “exhausting” because of the challenges encountered.
The walk started and finished outside Observatory the Opticians in Exchange Square, travelling through the town centre before returning by the same route.
Manager of the practice, Jacqui Sayer, said: “We want to raise awareness of the difficulties that visually impaired and blind people face as part of their everyday routines, such as entering shops, crossing roads, negotiating curbs and shopping in busy High Streets.”
Pictured is mayor Andrea Downes and president of the Lions Club Chris Eglington.
Image credit: Observatory the Opticians
Beccles mayor Andrea Downes took park in the event, which was designed to increase awareness of the challenges that visually impaired people face and overcome every day.
Speaking about the walk, Ms Downes said: “I had heard how senses are heightened when you lose one of them, but I was surprised at just how heightened they were. The wind on my face felt very different and I could hear so many different conversations taking place around me.”
Ms Downes added that although she knows the area very well, she felt “completely disorientated” and found the 20 minute walk “exhausting” because of the challenges encountered.
The walk started and finished outside Observatory the Opticians in Exchange Square, travelling through the town centre before returning by the same route.
Manager of the practice, Jacqui Sayer, said: “We want to raise awareness of the difficulties that visually impaired and blind people face as part of their everyday routines, such as entering shops, crossing roads, negotiating curbs and shopping in busy High Streets.”
Pictured is mayor Andrea Downes and president of the Lions Club Chris Eglington.
Image credit: Observatory the Opticians
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