Mark's story

Mark was experiencing serious abuse and harassment, directed at his visual impairment, from youths near where he used to live. As a result of this he suffered from low self esteem, anxiety and insomnia.

46 year old Mark is a guide dog owner who suffers from glaucoma. He has some light perception but sees little more than shapes or shadows. Mark lives independently in South East London with only the informal support network of local friends and church.

Over the past 17 years, Mark lived on a council estate where he endured serious abuse directed at his visual impairment. He was abused verbally. Dog excrement was posted through his letterbox. He and his guide dog were shot at with air rifles. A group of youths on the estate stoned his dog, attempted to trip Mark up, climbed on his bungalow roof and generally terrorised him.

Unsurprisingly, this caused Mark, an extremely articulate, intelligent and sociable man, to suffer from low self esteem, anxiety and insomnia. He was put on medication for these problems.

Mark first contacted Action for Blind People to enquire about any accommodation that he could apply for. On discussing with him what he wanted to do from here, Action made contact with the tenancy officer for his estate to request a move. The council then gave Mark a ‘very high priority’ in terms of moving him. During this time, a place became vacant in one of Action for Blind People’s supported living homes and Mark chose to move in. He is now living there and is able to live his life without fear.

Listen to Mark telling his story