Swindon Blind Veterans to March at the Cenotaph This Remembrance Sunday
Two blind veterans from Swindon will join the march at the Cenotaph in London this Remembrance Sunday, supported by Blind Veterans UK. Peter Kay, 69, and Bob Clarke, 61, will march alongside around 40 other blind veterans as part of the national commemorations.
Peter Kay's Service and Vision Loss
Peter served 18 years in the Territorial Army as a workshop manager with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. His deployments included training exercises such as Operation Lionheart in 1984. He lost his sight in 2020, at the start of the Covid-19 lockdown. Initially diagnosed with cataracts in his left eye, he was told surgery would be delayed.
“Within a week, I’d lost my sight completely and made the decision to go for private treatment, which diagnosed optic nerve damage,” said Peter. “I was black blind at first with no sight at all, but fortunately, with medication, I got a little bit of my sight back.”
Bob Clarke's Career and Sudden Blindness
Bob joined the RAF in 1981 at age 16, serving ten years as an aircraft engineer. After his service, he worked in the aircraft industry and pursued archaeology. In 2019, he was diagnosed with glaucoma and lost his sight overnight.
“I lost my sight overnight,” Bob revealed.
Supporting Blind Veterans
The event highlights the resilience of blind veterans and honors their service, with Blind Veterans UK providing support for those affected by sight loss.
Author's summary: Two blind veterans from Swindon, Peter Kay and Bob Clarke, will proudly march at the Cenotaph this Remembrance Sunday, demonstrating courage despite their vision loss.