IT’S hard for anyone of us, so-called able-bodied folk, to really imagine what it would be like living with a disability.

I recently met someone with extraordinary problem-solving abilities, making them so adept at negotiating a world that doesn’t cater for them, that even as we discussed his sight loss over coffee, on seeing a kilted man with a window box hat, complete with flower, I still exclaimed,

‘Would you look at that guy!’

Steven Sutherland lost his sight as a baby. He’d spent a few years in his teens hiding away, lacking confidence that society was equipped to deal with his disability. Listening to this bold brilliant boy, it begged the question whose disability is it?

He started out as a volunteer at the Carlton Day Centre but soon felt he wanted to explore an idea of his own to help the visually impaired community integrate more fully in life.

I told him it all reminded me of a wee deaf boy I saw signing on a post on Facebook. He asks why the children in his class are all learning French and German when there are no French or Germans in the class? He says: ‘Now, if they learned to sign then they could all speak my language because am here and am not going anywhere!’

Inspired by the RNIB ethos, that their service users have the best expertise needed to design products and services, he told me about his passion for a wider perception around disability and how he had applied to the US Embassy in London to their Cultural Affairs Office for a place on the Jo Cox Memorial Exchange.

The invite was for young people to apply for the opportunity to join an International team in America and explore programmes that are promoting tolerance and inclusion in communities and schools. His pitch to them lasted only three minutes but two weeks later he found out he was on board.

I first heard about Steven after he came home from America with an idea to engage the Glasgow Speakers Club to teach six other young registered blind people, public speaking, as my brother John, is the Vice President of the club.

In partnership with the RNIB, sponsored by the American embassy and supported by the city council, the seven of them were given a room at the City Chambers for free and booked eight sessions with the club to do a public speaking course.

When I think about just how much I try to read and interact with my audience, I am so impressed by this group. Steven told me that apart from a few adjustments like the countdown for time up, having to be changed from a light to an audio cue, it’s all going great.

With only a few more sessions to go, these newly-trained orators will soon be off to speak at the Parliament.

Subjects will include accessibility issues for people with disability, the use of guide dogs and of course the best ways that we might further promote inclusion and accommodate those of us living with a disability.

This event is on September 10 and is called ‘Sound of Vision’ and I’ve been invited along, I’ll keep you posted.

And finally...

YOU know you’re old when you find your glasses in the fridge.