Michael's Story

I was registered as sight impaired at a young age due to albinism. That moment changed everything for my family. My mum was confused and overwhelmed. Medical appointments were filled with complex terminology, and she often left without fully understanding what had been said or how best to support me.

That’s when Vista stepped in.

From the very beginning, Vista didn’t just support me — they supported my entire family. They attended appointments with us, explained medical information in ways we could understand, and helped us make sense of what sight impairment meant for my future. More than that, they provided practical guidance and reassurance at a time when we felt lost.

As I moved through childhood, I was often the only visually impaired child in my class — sometimes in the entire school. That isolation was difficult. No one around me truly understood the daily challenges I faced. It could feel lonely navigating a world designed for everyone but me.

Once again, Vista stepped in.

Through their youth services, I was connected with other young people living with sight loss. For the first time, I met people who understood my experiences without explanation. I found a community where I wasn’t “the different one.” That connection was transformative. It helped me build confidence, resilience, and a sense of belonging.

Vista has supported me throughout my entire life. They haven’t just provided services — they’ve given me tools, opportunities, and belief. They helped me grow into someone who doesn’t just navigate life with albinism, but advocates for inclusion and accessibility.

I was proud to become the first non-registrant at University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust to be invited onto a clinical fellowship programme. This opportunity allows me to drive meaningful change in inclusion and accessibility within healthcare. I often reflect on that achievement and ask myself: would I be here without Vista?

I always come to the same conclusion — no.

Without Vista, my life would look very different. They didn’t just support me during appointments or childhood activities. They shaped my confidence, my ambition, and my belief in what was possible.

When I heard about the potential closure of Vista, it hit me deeply. This is a service that has been there for as long as I can remember. The thought of others being registered as sight impaired and not having that immediate, compassionate support is heartbreaking.

No one should be given a label and left to figure out life alone. Vista ensures that people understand that sight loss does not mean loss of opportunity, identity, or future.

We cannot allow Vista to close its doors. Because without it, countless individuals and families will miss out on the life-changing support that helped shape mine.

Vista didn’t just change my journey — it made it possible.