Simon’s Journey
He’s 74 now and began to lose his vision to glaucoma & other issues when he was 63 or 64. Since then, he’s written 3 books, is working on a 4th, and has done quite a few interviews. He’s a very active man and doesn’t consider himself disabled – nor do I! He attributes his independence to having been in the Royal Marines, where they always challenged what they thought was possible. For instance, when his wife died (I think last year), he decided he’d take care of cooking for himself and did a major overhaul of the kitchen so it is safe and accessible. You can read all about it in his book, ‘First Catch Your Rabbit: Cooking Without Fear.’ I’m reading it now, and it’s one of the best resources I’ve found for being able to manage in the kitchen. He even includes some great recipes!
There’s so much more to his journey!! He’s active with the Blind Veterans UK and Henshaws in the UK. He was a social worker and taught psychology. He was an artist…and more!
His Site
Podcast Interview
Simon is interviewed by George Abraham with Eye Conversations, an information and advocacy group in India.
Videos
Going blind didn’t stop me from being creative
He’s got 10 rules of engagement
Books
Here are has 3 books (in order of publications):
‘Descent Into Darkness’
This is about losing his sight and how he coped with it. For those in the UK, you can get an audiobook from the Calibre audiobook library. This is a free service for those with ‘print disabilities’ so you have to request membership. Those from many other countries may also be qualified for this service (see the site).
Both Amazon in the US and the UK, have both a Kindle and paperback version.
‘First You Catch a Rabbit: Cooking Without Fear’
Hee says, “is the story of how I regained the use of the kitchen after my wife died.”
Both Amazon in the UK and the US have both a Kindle* and paperback version.
In the UK for those who qualify, there is an audio version of this one. Go to rniblibrary.com Some of the books, including this one, in the RNIB library, can be linked to the Amazon Echo products and read outloud through any of the devices. You’ll find more about that on the RNIB Library site.
‘Winging It Blind: Or Changing What You Think Is Possible’
On Amazon for the UK, you can get either paperback or Kindle*. On Amazon for the US, you can only get it on paperback.
Kindle Books and Alexa
Did you know that if you have a Kindle book and the Amazon Echo products, you can have them read to you by Alexa? It doesn’t have to be in audiobook format!! All you have to say is ‘Alexa, read my Kindle book.’ The reading starts where you left off!