Blindness has never been a barrier for me when going to the theatre. For as long as I can remember I’ve loved both getting up on stage and watching other performers. I don’t feel like being blind has diminished my experience and I will often fill in the gaps using my imagination when I’m watching…
Author: Connor Scott-Gardner
Accessible Books for Blind People in the UK
I’ve always been an avid reader and have searched for accessible libraries that I can use as a blind person. Here is a list of such libraries, which is not exhaustive but should get you started if, like me, reading is an important part of your life. The following is a list of libraries which…
What I Hear when you Talk about Hope
I hope for many things in my life. I hope I will graduate with a good degree, that I will find a job, that I will start a family some day. I hope for happiness and friendship and lots of laughter. We all hope for different things. I have friends who are blind like me…
Teaching your Blind Child to Manage their Period
When you first get your period, it can be really confusing, especially if you haven’t been prepared for it. I know many parents struggle to know how exactly to prepare their blind child for this stage of their life. How much should they explain? What resources will be useful? Are all products useful and accessible…
Celebrating Feria de Las Flores
Every year at the beginning of August the city of Medellín celebrates Feria de Las Flores. The first flower festival took place in May 1957, and included a parade that represented the end of slavery. The festival was later moved to August in order to celebrate the independence of Antioquia. These days the festival includes…
How a Month in Medellín Taught me to Live
4 weeks ago, a plane I was on landed in the beautiful city of Medellín. I had no idea what to expect, having read very little about the city before I made the decision to study there. Armed with a suitcase, backpack and very tired dog I headed out of the airport to start my…
A Study Session and Unexpected Friends
From the 28th of May to the 4th of June I went to Strasbourg to attend a study session ran by ESN (the Erasmus Student Network), ENIL (European Network on Independent Living) and the Council of Europe. It focussed on intercultural learning within a mixed ability group, gathering young people from across Europe to learn…
30 Days
For so long it was just a dream. I knew when I started my degree that I’d be spending the third year in another country, but I never could have imagined it would be Colombia. That was too much to hope. Yet I am. I’ve spent the morning packing up my apartment in order to…
I’m going to Colombia!
It is official, last night I received my acceptance letter to EAFIT university in Medellín. I have 3 months to sort out mine and Isla’s vaccinations, buy us insurance, find somewhere to live, organise o&m, get my visa, find a dog food supplier and buy my flight. And I am so ready to start! Not…
The People who Made Isla
The bond between service dog and handler is almost impossible to explain. It is built upon trust, I trust Isla and she trusts me. We seek reassurance from one another, and we must be there to provide that reassurance. I’ve learnt to tell what she wants by her body language and the sounds she makes….