Paul's Story

In 2024, Paul, a spirited sixty-year-old, faced a life-altering accident in Spain whilst out on a casual bike ride. The devastating incident severely damaged his left eye, leaving him partially blind. 

The immediate aftermath followed with both pain and uncertainty. For six years, Paul had embraced a unique and fulfilling lifestyle. He had travelled and lived entirely on his bicycle. His journey took him across the world, from the rugged beauty of Georgia to the ancient wonders of Turkey and the vibrant cultures of Morocco, funding these adventures through construction jobs. On two wheels, Paul found ways to engage in meaningful volunteering activities and connect with all different walks of life. 

Paul stood by his motorbike next to a man a two Morrocan women

But post diagnosis of his visual impairment, Paul’s ability to cycle thousands of miles was suddenly in jeopardy. A hobby that was once effortless became daunting, and his nomadic lifestyle ground to a halt. He also struggled to find work in the aftermath, as he had always relied on jobs which required intense physical labour. Now, his employment options have narrowed dramatically. And his physical limitation was only the start- the emotional ramifications were equally immense. Yet, despite these formidable obstacles, his inherent positivity shines through. 

"You must start slowly and get used to seeing life from a different perspective. Try to have a positive mindset and a happy way to live with your eye condition. This isn't always easy, but the more you try, the easier it becomes.” 

Paul stays positive in the face of adversity with a resilient optimism. Paul recounts receiving excellent emergency medical care in Spain. This was a testament to the excellence of medical professionals and researchers. After returning to the UK, he continued to receive good care from St Paul's Eye Hospital in Liverpool, where specialists helped to manage his condition.  

“It's also very important to show appreciation for all the kind people who have helped you: friends and family, medical staff and people you meet along the way.” 

Paul firmly believes that with the vast amount of research continuously conducted globally, treatments for all eye problems will one day appear. Indeed, he thinks this applies to most other medical challenges too. He believes (as we do) that with enough research, conditions like his can be better treated and even cured for the generations to come.  

Paul sat smiling on his motorbike

"Don't give up; do your own research and eat the foods needed for good eye health. Also keep on moving, do some research and see if exercise is good for the problem." 

His advice to others facing similar challenges is resolute and empowering. Paul has nothing but hope for his own future too, which he has already made strides towards.

Paul smiling nest to his motorbike

“The biggest challenge is to finish my dream: to cycle tour again and to go around the world.” 

Paul's journey, marked by profound challenge and remarkable resilience, underscores the critical need for medical research to keep progressing towards treating sight loss. 

"Medical research is the foundation of nearly all cures. And eye research is at the forefront of this, for without good vision, it's hard to do other things." 

If you want to learn more about preventative measures to sight loss, you can check out our nutrition list here. Here you can also learn more about the research we fund. We rely on donations to fund research in the hopes that people like Paul will one day have not only answers but also cures. Help us on our mission to support research projects across the UK to ensure a clearer future for those living with sight loss.