In this very special and deeply personal episode, I sit down with my wife in our cosy garden studio to talk about what it’s really been like living through sight loss — not just from my perspective, but from hers too.

We chat openly about the highs and lows of the past five years: the changes, the challenges, and the moments that have brought us even closer together. There’s laughter, a few tears, and plenty of honesty as we explore how life — and love — evolves when sight loss becomes part of the story.

This episode is about more than disability; it’s about partnership, perspective, and finding strength in shared experiences.

A blind bloke just talking about life.

In this episode of Blind Man with a Backpack in Conversation with… I sit down with Tim Dixon, accessibility advocate and Head of Architecture for a global QA provider, to talk about adapting to sight loss through technology.

We share our experiences of being diagnosed with Cone Dystrophy, how we’ve introduced assistive tools into our working lives, and the creative ways we’ve adapted our homes — from smart lighting to radar‑guided canes and even Meta sunglasses.

Find out more about Tim Dixon:

Website: https://www.timdixon.net

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tjdixon/

Blind Ambition Community

The Blind Ambition WhatsApp Community is a welcoming space where people with visual impairment can connect, share and learn from each other — whether you’re looking for practical advice, emotional support, or just a friendly chat.

• Find out more about the Blind Ambition Community
• [Register to join the UK WhatsApp Community (Google Form)]

Mentioned in this episode:

• Stella Young – “I’m not your inspiration, thank you very much” TED Talk

Follow me:

Website: www.blindmanwithabackpack.uk

Facebook: @BlindManWithABackpack

Instagram: @BlindManWithABackpack

TikTok: @BlindMan.With.A.B

Credit: Intro music “Graveyard Train” by The Champion Hillbillies

https://soundcloud.com/brettharmony

A blind bloke just talking about life.

In episode four, I chat with Dawn Blezard — a yoga instructor living with Stargardt’s Disease. We explore mindfulness, mental health, and what it means to live in the moment when your sight is always changing.

Dawn also runs a YouTube channel where she shares yoga tutorials, sight loss stories, and more.

Dawn's links:

YouTube

Facebook

Instagram

Follow me at:

Online: www.blindmanwithabackpack.uk

Facebook: @BlindManWithABackpack

Instagram: @BlindManWithABackpack

TikTok: @BlindMan.With.A.B

Credit: Intro music “Graveyard Train” by The Champion Hillbillies

https://soundcloud.com/brettharmony

A blind bloke just talking about life.

In episode three, I chat with Jenna Lynch from Berkshire Vision. Jenna is their Employability Officer, supporting people with sight loss to navigate the world of work. We talk about the barriers visually impaired people can face in the workplace — and what needs to change to make employment more accessible, inclusive, and empowering.

You can find out all about Berkshire Vision’s services, support and activities, including Employability, at Berkshirevision.org.uk

Useful links:

Thomas Pocklington Trust’s Working Well with Sight Loss course

RNIB’s Visibly Better Employer Standard

Follow me at:

Online: www.blindmanwithabackpack.uk

Facebook: @BlindManWithABackpack

Instagram: @BlindManWithABackpack

TikTok: @BlindMan.With.A.B

Credit: Intro music “Graveyard Train” by The Champion Hillbillies

https://soundcloud.com/brettharmony

A blind bloke just talking about life.

In episode two, I chat with Lou Plunkett, founder of the online accessibility consultancy Impact with Lou. Diagnosed with Stargardt’s Disease as a teenager, Lou now helps content creators and organisations make their work more accessible. We talk about her journey, the importance of inclusive design, and why accessibility should never be an afterthought.

You can follow Lou on Instagram (Impact.with.Lou) and Facebook (Impact with Lou) or LinkedIn (Louise Plunkett) or you can find out more about her online training and guides by visiting her LinkTree.

Read more at www.blindmanwithabackpack.uk

Follow me at:

Facebook: @BlindManWithABackpack

Instagram: @BlindManWithABackpack

TikTok: @BlindMan.With.A.B

Credit: Intro music “Graveyard Train” by The Champion Hillbillies

https://soundcloud.com/brettharmony

A blind bloke just talking about life.

In this first episode, I sit down with my good friend Chris Webb — an artist, volunteer, and passionate advocate for people with sight loss. From creative projects to conservation work at a local nature reserve, Chris has followed a unique path. He now campaigns with RNIB and the Sight Loss Council to make life more inclusive for blind and partially sighted people.

You can follow Chris on Instagram and X at @Chriswebbartist

Read more at www.blindmanwithabackpack.uk

Follow me at:

Facebook: @BlindManWithABackpack

Instagram: @BlindManWithABackpack

TikTok: @BlindMan.With.A.B

If you would like to find out more about the services and support provided by RNIB, Thomas Pocklington Trust or Sight Loss Councils, then please visit the links below:

www.rnib.org.uk

Www.pocklington.org.uk

Www.sightlosscouncils.org.uk

Credit: Intro music “Graveyard Train” by The Champion Hillbillies

https://soundcloud.com/brettharmony

A blind bloke just talking about life. A short intro to the podcast series and a little bit about me.

Read more at https://blindmanwithabackpack.uk

Follow me at: https://facebook.com/blindmanwithabackpack, https://www.instagram.com/blindmanwithabackpack/ or https://www.tiktok.com/@blindman.with.a.b?_t=ZG-8tNxc95j756&_r=1

Credit: Intro music “Graveyard Train” by The Champion Hillbillies
https://soundcloud.com/brettharmony