haggazine issue 16 - RNIB Issue 16.pdf · Asif Ali Kahn 0131 652 3140 15. Eilidh Morrison Hello, my...

The magazine for blind and partially sighted young people in Scotland

Celebrating Ten Years Issue 16Autumn 2017

haggazine

Celebrate!Contents

4 Editorial7 Haggeye history12 Asif Ali Khan16 Eilidh Morrison20 Darrell Drury24 What people think32 Katrina Thomson36 Hussein Patwa40 Catherine Gilliland

44 Did You Know?: #HugAHaggis45 Did You Know?: ERA46 Did you know?: Locations48 Did You Know?: Pioneering49 Did you know?: Awards50 Summer and Zenaib54 Jonathon Miller58 Damon Charles Horne61 The future

Editorial

4 facebook.com/haggeye

If there was ever a greater reason for Haggeye to eat cake, it is now, as we celebrate our 10th birthday!

Ten years, 120 months, 3,650 days or 87,600 hours. However you want to measure it, Haggeye has been around for a long time. We’ve taken part in campaigning in Scotland, the UK and Europe. Made friends and raised awareness with other young people with sight loss and without. Crossed paths with many organisations, politicians and even members of the royal family!

Editorial

[email protected] 5

For this special edition, we are celebrating the last decade of everything Haggeye. There will be some familiar faces and some new ones, sharing their personal Haggeye experiences. Also a look back at how Haggeye began and just a glimpse of what we’ve been doing for 10 years. It would be difficult to fit everything into one magazine after all!

So break out the balloons, party hats and ice cream and join us on our double digit celebration!

Tuesday

Editorial


Haggeye history

Haggeye has come a long way since we first started out as a youth forum. Haggeye was created to encourage young people between the ages of 12 and 25 to have an opinion. We hoped to make changes throughout Scotland that would benefit blind and partially sighted people everywhere.

Haggeye was created when young people voiced their concerns over not being able to share worries and thoughts with fellow blind and partially sighted people, not being informed on issues that affected their lives, and being able to have one voice that people would notice.

Haggeye history


Complaints to campaigns

Haggeye has been working on campaigns since we first started out. We targeted four areas that needed work in our first two years of existence. These areas were: access to information, access to sport and leisure, raising awareness and challenging views with our peers. One example of our love of campaigning is “Stop and Stare”. This is a pack and USB which contains factsheets, interviews with Haggeye members and a video showing how to guide a person with sight loss. Just one of the ways we have worked alongside sighted friends to raise awareness!

Haggeye history

[email protected] 9

Haggeye also has a strong connection with the Scottish Youth Parliament (SYP). We even have our very own Members of the Scottish Youth Parliament (MSYP) representing the views of young people with sight loss in Scotland. The Scottish Youth Parliament is the democratically elected voice of Scotland’s young people.

Haggeye history


A total of 469 young people attended activities and events that were held in the first three years of the project. We lost count when we started adding up 10 years’ worth!

With all this, the people who have most benefited are the young people themselves. Haggeye has helped young blind and partially sighted people to achieve new skills, gain confidence, deal with flying to America without assistance and talk in front of an audience while giving a presentation. Hundreds of friendships have been made, locally and some a little more far off.

Haggeye history

[email protected] 11

Asif Ali KhanAsif Ali Khan is 25 and originally from Pakistan but now lives in Coatbridge. Asif is registered blind and has been a member of Haggeye for around five years.


How did you get involved?

My social worker told me about the project. They explained that young people come together from all over Scotland to make new friends and talk about issues.Why did you get involved? I got involved to make new friends, find out about other opportunities and activities that were available for blind and partially sighted young people.

What has been good about being involved? A lot of good reasons! A specific one was the opportunity to do things that made me more independent. For example, travelling from one city to another to go to Haggeye meetings and events. There is always someone there for me as Haggeye staff and volunteers try to arrange to meet us at the stations near the meetings.

Asif Ali Kahn


But it’s also good to have learnt how to be able to book assistance and travel independently.

Has being a member of Haggeye made a difference to your life? Again, developing confidence skills like going to Parliament and asking questions has made a big difference. Before I used to be really shy. I knew the answers but couldn’t speak up but now I am able to. Haggeye has helped me find my voice.

Would you recommend Haggeye to others and why? Yes definitely! It is fun and friendly and opens up other opportunities. For example, things like other RNIB groups and other activities for young people living with sight loss, and helping us to take part in other things like our sighted


peers do. Making new friends, especially others living with sight loss, has been amazing. You can learn from each other. You may have tried something and it has not worked but another person can tell you how they went about it.

Is there anything else you would like to say? I really like how Haggeye is an organisation for young people living with sight loss to talk about issues, discuss the issues they face and work together to overcome them. It’s like a wee community.

I feel safe at Haggeye and because we all have sight loss, we are equal and we treat each other equally. We don’t have to explain ourselves over and over. We aren’t seen as young people with a disability. We are seen as a great bunch of young people working together, having fun and making a difference.

Asif Ali Kahn

0131 652 3140 15

Eilidh MorrisonHello, my name is Eilidh Morrison and I am 15 years old.

My condition is Joubert syndrome which is really rare!Joubert syndrome contains a load of complex things, but the eye condition that goes along with it is RP which stands for retinitis pigmentosa.

I go to school in Aberdeen where I do Maths, Chemistry, Physics, History and English, and I am also learning to read braille. I am really into science and hope to be an astrophysicist one day and maybe work at NASA or the ESA.


0131 652 3140 17

Eilidh Morrison

I have been a proud Haggeye member since I was 12 – so nearly four years! I like to encourage more people to go along to Haggeye meetings and events as it has really benefited me and it will help them too.

Haggeye is so important to me as I get to meet other visually impaired young people, which means I know I am not the only one, like at school.

Haggeye has given me a voice so I can let people know about my sight loss and how they can help. This has raised my confidence and self-esteem, so I can now trust myself and others more. Recently, I have taken up the role of


writing and editing the Haggeye Jnr and Friends magazine.

I have written an article on technology and how it helps. Also I have helped Haggeye Jnr write about his adventures, including when he went to the dentist and the eye clinic. My most recent article has been on my experience in the Scout Association and I am looking forward to writing lots more in future issues.

Writing for the magazines has meant that once again this has raised my confidence as a young person living with sight loss. It has also increased my journalism skills which I can use in English and will be useful when I need to create a CV.

Eilidh Morrison

0131 652 3140 19

Darrell DruryHi! My name is Darrell Drury, I am 23 and live in Rosyth in Fife. I have recently just joined Haggeye and was very excited to get my Haggeye hoody.


I have a left-sided hemianopia which means my field of vision is affected on the left of both eyes. However, it is fully gone on the left eye whereas I still have some peripheral vision in the right eye, although it is still affected. This means I can still read print but I struggle getting around in new places. However, my loyal companion Grady the guide dog guides me safely to where I need to go.

My job is an Administrator at RNIB Scotland where I enjoy making up family folders full of useful and helpful information. I also enjoy planning events where we bring lots of families together as part of our IRISS project.

Darrell Drury


I knew a little about Haggeye before I came to work at RNIB and found out more when I started. I wanted to join to meet new people and make new friends as well as help raising awareness of young people living with sight loss.

Being a member of Haggeye has already meant making new friends, including another young person with the same condition as me. That was really good to experience as we shared our backgrounds. But it was also quite strange as it was my first time meeting someone with my condition, as I didn’t think my condition was that common.


I’ve also enjoyed taking part in activities and hearing about the Haggeye Media Team. The Media Team are the young people who write Haggazine, look after the Facebook and web pages and work with Connect Radio to make radio content that young people will enjoy listening to. It sounded so interesting to be a part of that team, I joined it too! I am really keen to help develop the Haggeye website to make it more interactive and user friendly.

I think Haggeye will be a great opportunity for me to gain new skills, become more confident and even more independent.

Darrell Drury

0131 652 3140 23

What people think“ The project has helped immensely with my confidence, especially when dealing with new people and professionals. I have also developed great muscles and roadie skills carrying things backwards and forwards to events!”

Haggeye member (male 24)

“ I would encourage anyone who wants to make a difference to get involved in the youth engagement opportunities at Haggeye as I have had fun, met new friends and learnt a lot of new things.”



“ I have enjoyed getting “Out and About” and learning. Although at first it was hard to explain to people that I can’t read print. Having done it lots now at the various sessions, I feel more confident about my condition and explaining it to others. The project has encouraged me to get out more socially and meet new people.”

Haggeye member (female 17)

What people think


“ Haggeye has helped me so much over the past five years; it is hard to sum it all up. The main thing it has done is given me the confidence to stand up for my rights and be able to express my needs without feeling ashamed. Haggeye has also given me so many opportunities, like going to Westminster, speaking in front of the Scottish Parliament and other conferences and events, to name but a few.”



“ Haggeye has allowed me to come out of my shell and grow in confidence. I have made life-long friends through the project and been able to take part in so many different things. Haggeye has changed my life and I know it has changed others.” Haggeye member (female 15)

What people think

0131 652 3140 27

“ Thanks to Haggeye, over the years I have made lots of great friends. And by working with organisations like Young Scot and RNIB’s Connect Radio, I have been able to network and build connections that I otherwise would not have been able to do. As well as attending high profile events and award ceremonies. This all helps me throughout life and it’s all, really, thanks to Haggeye.”



“ Haggeye has given me the opportunity to start living a more fulfilling life following several years on my own at university. It has boosted my self-esteem, giving me the confidence to travel independently, try out new activities and make friends knowing that I am not alone and that there are others just like me who share the challenges surrounding sight loss.”


What people think


“ When I first came to Haggeye, I’d sit with my head low and used to hide myself. Two years on I stand up with my head held high and a better vision of what I want to achieve in life. I may not have perfect sight but that doesn’t stop me from having the vision to create a better society for blind and partially sighted young people. The work that Haggeye does has made me believe in something, helped me become open and honest and be proud of my impairment.”



“ Haggeye has made me confident because before I joined I had no confidence and I didn’t know what I was doing in life. I really enjoy taking part in events because I meet other young people in the same situation as me and I get a lot of support from them and I feel like I finally belong.”


What people think

0131 652 3140 31

Katrina ThomsonBorn and raised in Hawick in the Scottish Borders, Katrina has been a member of Haggeye for its entire 10 years. As a baby she was treated for retino blastoma (cancer of the eyes). Although successful, it resulted in Katrina developing cataracts which had to be removed, leaving her with no functioning lenses.


While studying HNC Social Care at college, Katrina applied to be the Project Assistant at Haggeye. She helped lead the Stop and Stare campaign, supporting members to spread sight loss awareness to their sighted peers across Scotland. She continued her career in youth work with four years at TD1 Youth Hub in Galashiels.

“I am so passionate about making a difference in young people’s lives, regardless of their background, abilities, sexuality, or anything that makes them ‘different’. I love this job, meeting the young people, giving them advice, and just having general banter and a good laugh,” said Katrina, who is now moving on to the great outdoors to become an instructor at an activity centre in England.

Katrina Thomson


Katrina has represented Haggeye locally, nationally and internationally! Having visited Holyrood and Westminster many times, she learned about the workings of Parliament and how to get involved with making changes. Brussels and Vienna are also on Katrina’s Haggeye travel list. Taking part in education and youth conferences, she advocated for better support for people with additional support needs.

“Being able to stand up in public at events and give a speech is a difficult thing to do. But through Haggeye, I have been able to do this. I feel that without Haggeye I wouldn’t have the confidence now to embrace my sight loss and accept that it is a part of who I am. And you know what, I don’t mind. I don’t have a problem and if other people do, then that’s their problem.”


The benefits of Haggeye don’t only come from the campaigning side of things. “I’ve also had the pleasure of meeting other young people across Scotland with sight loss. Without Haggeye, I would not have had this opportunity. I’ve made lifelong friends and shared so many good times over the years with other members.”

As a Haggeye veteran, Katrina has some advice for anyone beginning their sight loss journey or looking to get involved.

“Haggeye has developed so much over the past 10 years. The older members have been able to act like mentors to the new members. Don’t be scared to ask for help or support. It’s not a sign of weakness, but of strength. And if you’re thinking about joining Haggeye, give it a go. If you like cake, you’ll like Haggeye!”

Katrina Thomson

0131 652 3140 35

Hussein PatwaHi! I’m Hussein Patwa. I’m 30 and live in Aberdeen. I’m a self-employed accessibility consultant and work in Mobility and Access within Transport Scotland. It’s a great job as I love travel and tackling new challenges to make accessibility better for everyone.


I was born with retinitis pigmentosa, a degenerative, genetic condition resulting in peripheral vision loss, short sightedness, photophobia and night blindness. I had to be unique though and it has also left me with no central vision. Talk about a mixed bag! But it keeps life interesting.

I first found out about Haggeye through my local society for the blind in 2011 when I was 24. Initially, I thought it was all about outdoor activities as that is what I was interested in. But after attending the first event, I realised its campaigning theme was what really appealed to me. I also loved the chance to meet and hang out with other young people with sight loss, as this was something I missed out on and which made for a lonely experience during my time at Uni.

Hussein Patwa


Of course, I also wanted to share my experiences and thus help drive change through RNIB to make life better for other blind and partially sighted folk.

I’ve done a lot with Haggeye, from visiting the Scottish Parliament and meeting the First Minister. I’ve also worked with other young people from across the UK in Birmingham, developing plans for better access to information, transport and events. My favourite memory is of attending the Hardest Hit rally in London with thousands of others, protesting proposed cuts to disability benefits. The atmosphere (and for once the weather!) was amazing and we even got the chance to meet and try to influence our local MPs. It is experiences like these which made me realise one is never truly alone.

Hussein Patwa


I feel Haggeye has become more inclusive in the past 10 years, with Haggeye Juniors and Haggazine. I love how it’s starting to branch out, with more localised events which allow young people living further afield to take part. Haggeye has helped me become more confident in socialising with others, especially during a difficult period where my sight was getting worse. It has showed me more ways to have fun and inspired me to get involved with RNIB campaigns. I’ve made good friends through Haggeye with whom I’ve kept in touch, and met great staff and volunteers too.

To any young person who’s just lost their sight, my main message would be: “Don’t give up and live for your dreams”. There are many other young people who are able and willing to help and Haggeye does that. Finally, remember to have fun and keep on going.

Hussein Patwa

0131 652 3140 39

Catherine GillilandMy name is Catherine Gilliland, I am 24 years old and living and working in Edinburgh. I was diagnosed with bilateral optic atrophy at the age of five, when I was living in London. In 2006, when I was 14, I moved with my family to West Lothian and first came into contact with RNIB.


I cannot remember when or how I first heard about Haggeye, but I do remember attending an event at the Scottish Parliament. I think the event was to recognise and celebrate what Haggeye had achieved so far and it was incredible to hear about the positive impact young people involved with Haggeye had made. The main reason the event sticks in my mind however is that until this event, I had not knowingly met another person with a visual impairment. It was, to be honest, an overwhelming experience.

After the event I lost touch with Haggeye. It was several years until I met another visually impaired person again and several more before I could call another visually impaired person a friend. I finished school and went on to study English Literature at the University of St Andrews, graduating in 2014.

Catherine Gilliland


I began working as an administrator and in late 2015 moved to Edinburgh with my partner.

It’s now 2017 and I have found my way back to Haggeye. I have definitely come the long way round, helped in the last part of the journey by RNIB Connect, but I have not been slow to get involved. The same day I got my hoodie I attended my first ever audio described theatre performance with Haggeye. It is difficult to communicate how enormously fantastic an experience it was to be able to independently follow and enjoy a show, just as it can be difficult to explain to sighted friends and family the importance of being able to spend time in the company of others experiencing sight loss.


I joined Haggeye looking for friendship but I am also interested in helping to campaign for positive change. I like that you can be as involved in Haggeye as you want, and that as well as providing an understanding space where you can be you, Haggeye is also a platform where you can work together to create a better, more inclusive society. I am really excited to be a part of Haggeye and to get to know more blind and partially sighted young people.

Catherine Gilliand

0131 652 3140 43

Did You Know?: #HugAHaggisIt is not only Haggeye members who like to get out and about travelling. Haggeye and Haggeye Jnr also love travelling around to raise awareness and love nothing more than shaking hands, dancing around and getting their pictures taken!

Did you know?


Did You Know?: ERAWhilst Haggeye is for 12 to 25 year olds, we are keen to develop projects to share our good work and learn from others. In 2014 our Education, Respect and Awareness (ERA) project was developed in an effort to bring together older and younger people living with sight loss.

The project, funded by Young Start Big Lottery, was an opportunity for two generations to come together and share ideas, experiences and learn from each other. The main aims were around challenging negative stereotypes, generational understanding and transfer and learning of skills.

Did you know?


Did you know?: Locations

Did you know?


Haggeye prides itself on trying to reach as many young people as possible in as many different locations throughout Scotland. We always try to hold meetings near to train and bus stations in an effort to promote independent travel. To date, meetings, events or activities have been held in a number of places including:

Galashiels, Orkney, Aberdeen, Inverness, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee, Fife, Ayr, Falkirk, Stirling, Paisley, Polmont and Perth to name but a few. Phew!

And that’s not to mention places we have been as guests at other events including Cardiff, Belfast, London, Brussels and Vienna!

Did you know?

0131 652 3140 47

Did You Know?: PioneeringHaggeye has been recognised as leading the way in terms of youth forum activity for RNIB. Not only has Haggeye made a lasting impact in Scotland, other nations in the RNIB family have been keen to work with us and look towards developing similar youth voices in their countries.

Did you know?


Did you know?: AwardsSince launching in 2007, Haggeye has won a Young Scot Award, a Diana Award and a Philip Lawrence Award!

“ The young people involved in Haggeye show compassion for others and a determination to change things for the better. They have created a project that makes a true difference to their community, helping others to live more fully. It is in these inspirational young people that society has its greatest cause for optimism.”

Frances Lawrence (widow of Philip Lawrence and founder of the awards)

Did you know?


Summer and Zenaib


Hi, my name is Summer.

Hi, my name is Zenaib.

We are both 14 years old and we are both registered blind. We have known each other since primary school but we didn’t really speak much. Our friendship began to really grow once we were in high school. Now we are extremely close friends and we are happy to have each other!

Summer and Zenaib

0131 652 3140 51

Summer: I had been to a few Haggeye meetings before, but when I went to the one in Stirling in December, I decided to ask Zenaib if she wanted to come and she said she would. The reason I asked Zenaib to come along was because I thought it would be great for the two of us, as friends, to share the same experience.

Zenaib: I had never been to a Haggeye meeting before, so when Summer asked me, I jumped at the opportunity. I thought it would be a good chance for me to meet with other people who were either blind or partially sighted. I also met with people I already knew and it was nice to see them again. We both enjoyed meeting with young people from all over Scotland and we were interested to find out about the differences between living in Glasgow and other parts of Scotland.


Summer and Zenaib: Going to the Haggeye meeting gave us the chance to educate others about being blind. We also learned a huge amount from the meeting. What we would like to gain from Haggeye is that we would like to meet more young people with sight loss, to find out about their experiences and to share our own. We would also like to find out what other opportunities are available for people with sight loss.

Summer: We really enjoyed the Haggeye meeting! I think I had an even better time because I was spending time with my best friend and I hope she will come along again.

Summer and Zenaib


Jonathon MillerMy name is Jonathon, I’m 25 and I stay in Glasgow with my fiancée and nine-month old son. I currently work for a Housing Association as a Rent Officer and have worked for the company for five years. I’ve had sight loss all my life and was diagnosed with Anaridia and nystagmus from a young age. I also have cataracts in both eyes.


Throughout my life I’ve always wanted to help others and improve services to move to a more accessible society for everyone. I’m currently the chairman of a sight loss charity called SITE Scotland, which provides group and individual demonstrations on accessible technology and sight loss awareness sessions to local businesses.

Whilst attending the Royal Blind School in Edinburgh, I was approached by staff offering me the chance to meet other young people with a visual impairment, to share experiences and work with RNIB to help campaign for change. I was 15 at the time and of course took any opportunity to take time off from school. However, I was glad that I took this opportunity because that day we all met was just the start of an amazing youth project.

0131 652 3140 55

Jonathon Miller

At the very beginning I took a leading role in setting up the group and identifying our aims and goals. At this point, the group was called “The Youth Forum for Blind and Partially Sighted People in Scotland”. This name didn’t have any kind of ring to it and it was also far too long! This is when “Haggeye” was born!

Over the coming years I attended each meeting, which helped to meet up with friends and also to make new friendships. The meetings were also very important to come together and share ideas on the type of work we would like to do. As the group grew in numbers, Haggeye then started growing arms and legs! Regional groups were set up to tackle local issues, with a National Steering Group being set up to feed back issues into the national group. I took a leading role in this and represented the west of Scotland.


Throughout my time with Haggeye, I tackled a number of campaigns, interviewed for podcasts and radio interviews, presented information to conferences, provided support for a radio slot called “Haggeye on Air”, attended cross-party groups within the Scottish Parliament and attended award ceremonies on behalf of Haggeye.

I gained a lot of skills, knowledge and friendship during my time with Haggeye. This has provided me with transferable skills into the workplace. I am now a very independent person who is not afraid to stand up and put my views across to fight for change for a more equal society. I gained skills in leadership, public speaking, problem solving, reasoning and many more. I would not be the person I am today without the skills and knowledge I gained from Haggeye.


Jonathon Miller

Damon Charles HorneDamon Charles Horne is 22 and lives in Penicuik. He loves volunteering in Café Tiki Edinburgh at RNIB Scotland because of the enjoyment of being there, interacting with the regular customers and meeting the new ones. Damon also enjoys the work experience and building up his skills and confidence.


How did you hear about Haggeye?

Volunteering in the café means you get a good wee chat with the people that come in. I heard about Haggeye from the staff based here who work with the Haggeye young people when they pop down to buy their cakes!

Why did you want to be a Haggeye member?

I used to be a member of the Kids Club at RNIB Edinburgh and Lothians, but recently become a volunteer as I grew older. I am now ready to join Haggeye to meet new friends and do more fun stuff.I’ve heard that there are often cakes at Haggeye meetings and events so I’m looking forward to that too as I do love a cup of tea and a cake.

Damon Charles Horne

0131 652 3140 59

How long have you been involved?

I am brand new and just joined a few weeks ago and was so happy to get my Haggeye hoody.

What kind of things do you want to do as a member of Haggeye?

Because I am new, I am still learning about all the things Haggeye does and am looking forward to my first meeting. I also have a creative mind and hope to share some of my art ideas. I can make things in 3D and would love to show other Haggeye members how to do it.

Damon Charles Horne


The future


As this Haggazine draws to an end, we can’t help but think how quickly the past 10 years have gone. We hope you’ve enjoyed our special edition and have been as energised and enthused reading our stories as we have been in creating them. It may be the end of this issue, but it is very much just the start of our next chapter and we look forward to communicating with you again in the coming months and years.

Some of you may know that RNIB has been going through changes and had a restructure. Haggeye is now part of the UK-wide Children, Young People and Families team which aims to be the trusted source of information, advice and support for children, young people and their families, and the professionals who work with them.


The team have a shared objective to enable children and young people who are blind or partially sighted (including those with additional disabilities) to achieve their goals in life. We will provide them, their parents and the professionals who work with them with a comprehensive service shaped around a clear outline of what we can offer.

At Haggeye, we are very excited to work alongside the team as well as young people, volunteers and others across the four nations.

Here’s to the next 10 years!

0131 652 3140 63

The future

The forum for blind and partially sighted young people in Scotland

This magazine has been created, developed and written by young people from the Haggeye project and produced by RNIB.

Contact us

facebook.com/haggeye

[email protected]

0131 652 3140

© September 2017 RNIB registered charity numbers 226227 and SC039316

haggeye

haggazine issue 16 - RNIB Issue 16.pdf · Asif Ali Kahn 0131 652 3140 15. Eilidh Morrison Hello, my...

Documents

Transcript of haggazine issue 16 - RNIB Issue 16.pdf · Asif Ali Kahn 0131 652 3140 15. Eilidh Morrison Hello, my...