“Living Paintings has made a big difference to my life.”

Julian has been a member of Living Paintings for just over three years. Here Julian kindly shares his story.

“I wasn’t born blind, however I started wearing glasses at the age of nine years old. At the age of twelve, I could not see in the dark and I had trouble with my field vision. It was difficult for me to play ball games and I had accidents on my bike day and night due to vision problems.  I was also born profoundly deaf which was discovered when I was 3 years old, and since then I have had to wear hearing aids. This was all due to Ushers Syndrome, and my mother having German Measles.

I went to a prep school where there were some other deaf pupils and a specialist teacher for the deaf.  Then in 1965 I went to my public school where I was the only deaf pupil.  It was confirmed that I had Retinitis Pigmentosa which was a great shock, and I was told I would gradually go blind.

So I had to get on with my life, and at the age of approximately 50 I was completely blind. Luckily I had a guide dog, a wonderful wife and a supportive family, sadly no children. I managed to learn braille and also have a braille computer.  I was lucky to receive 2 cochlear implants which have been a big improvement.

My wife, family, and friends are very supportive but I have good days and bad days. It’s not always easy.

I have been delighted with discovering Living Paintings.

It has made a big difference to my life as I can listen and follow the paintings on my own, or better still with somebody to help have a discussion. They obtain so much information which I thoroughly enjoy and can discuss with someone.  I particularly enjoy anything to do with history. It is always a joy when the box arrives and we can discover the new theme.”