This Is Cheshire

IN all walks of life they say that it's the thought that counts and the little things that can make a real difference to people's lives.

And this could not be more so than when you are blind. Last week, I spent the day without vision ­ which opened my eyes to the world of disability in more ways than I ever imagined.

They also say that you don't know what you have got until it has gone, and when I lost my sight I really understood what that meant. Being able to see is something which most of us take for granted, but all of a sudden my most important and reliable mode of functioning was lost and I had to rely on others for help.

What immediately struck me was the need for the hand of friendship and trust, as I walked around Warrington being guided by the Blind Society's Jane Ranson.

The sense of touch and feeling took on a whole new meaning. I noticed slight temperature changes showing me doors, smells in the market which led me to the sweets and food stalls ­ but when people knocked into me hurrying past, it was scary.

So when two of Warrington's blind people, Peter Bennett and Cathy Birchall, told me how bins in roads, litter, cars parked on verges and people riding bikes on pavements are a menace to their routine, I honestly understood what they meant.

"It is the little things such as tactiles on floors, spinners on crossings and people touching your arm when they speak to you that make a very big difference," said Peter.

Today, Thursday, is World Sight Day 2000 and time for the public to open their eyes.

One of the biggest obstacles facing blind people is human nature. Just a little bit of thought and a few simple gestures by everyone ­ including employers ­ would make such a difference.

There are more than 1,000 blind or visually impaired people registered in Warrington but the Royal National Institute for the Blind estimates that the figure is actually 12 times that amount. Very few of these are in employment despite Government schemes to get them back into the workplace.

Westbrook Lions, which is committed to aiding the blind, is holding a display and information stand in Golden Square to educate about preventable blindless resulting from diseases such as diabetes and glaucoma. But for some, such as Cathy and Peter, it is too late.

Many blind and partially sighted people rely on guide dogs, which are amazing creatures. Not just because they can save someone's life, but because they encourage the hand of friendship and make people act differently towards the blind.

Unfortunately this can also be a hindrance and people need to be aware that distracting the dog can be dangerous.

Just a month ago, 35-year-old Peter, who has a condition called optic atrophy, was saved from an accident by his black labrador, Alfie. Crossing Lovely Lane, the dog immediately stopped dead in the middle of the road as a car flew past from out of nowhere.

Cathy has had her golden retriever Petra for just over two years. After being born with retinitis pigmentosa ­ a light sensitive tissue disease attacking the back of the eye ­ she was forced to attend a special school at the age of 14.

She lost her sight completely 10 years ago and now she relies on her dog for her daily routine. She will not go out with a stick because she feels there is a stigma attached.

"People are much more friendly when I am with the dog, but sometimes it takes me three times longer to do things because I have to keep stopping," she said. "Why can't they be that friendly and helpful when the dog is not there?

"When you have a sensory loss you tend to be taken for a moron. We are the same as everyone else and also have a brain in our heads. I just want to be treated the same."

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