I met Steve in a local coffee shop on a sunny September morning to talk about his book “Sit down, Shut up, Behave”. Steve is a retired teacher from Berkshire and his book is about his life, his years of teaching, including at schools in Berkshire, but also about his visual impairment. Steve has X Linked Juvenile Retinoschisis B. A rare condition in UK.
Steve handed me a copy of his book to read and then we set about talking about his visual impairment. He recalled tales of his diagnosis, discrimination he has encountered and about becoming a teacher with a visual impairment, and how he hopes this inspires his pupils. If he can teach almost blind, then his pupils can do anything. Steve was an absolute joy to talk to and his passion for teaching and life is very evident.
Steve always knew he couldn’t see very well, but not wanting to wear NHS glasses or be called “four eyes” he managed to slip under the radar during a couple of routine school eye tests. But eventually his sight got worse and his teachers started to notice, however he praises the teachers and the pupils at his primary school for being nothing but supportive with his sight loss. Steve however found the medical professionals less than helpful with one doctor telling him he would be blind by thirty, this comment based without scientific foundation would haunt Steve for many years.
Steve was seventeen when he received an official diagnosis of X-linked Juvenile Retinoschisis B, rare in the UK more common in Finland and America. As it is X-linked it means it is inherited and the gene passed down the female line. Steve describes having this condition as seeing through snow, like an old
fashioned tv when the aerial gets knocked. He can’t make out things well, he doesn’t go out in the dark and struggles to recognise people and read signs. Steve then tells me about the discrimination he sometimes faces as a visually impaired person, this ranges from pointless advisory comments of, you should wear glasses, and did you know that you can blow up text very large on a phone, to people asking him why he is out on his own and where is his helper?
” For instance, recently in a local shop.
Me: Have you got a copy of the diary of Anne Frank?
Assistant: Who is it by?
Me: Anne Frank
Assistant: It will probably be over there…
Me: Ah thanks, Actually I’m
partially sighted, I don’t see detail well. Would you mind getting it for me and I will buy it?
Assistant: Where’s your helper?
Me: Er, what?
Assistant: How long have you been let out for?
Me: Sorry?
Assistant: You ARE looked after aren’t you? Where is your helper? You are not here on your own are you??
Me: Never mind, don’t bother. I’ve just remembered why we have the internet. “
It wasn’t until his 30’s and after a period of world travel that Steve decided to become a teacher. Initially many people wouldn’t give him a chance but the University of Leicester did and it was here that Steve qualified as a business and economics teacher. After qualifying, Steve found getting a teaching job a challenge, and it wasn’t until he removed his visual impairment from his letter of recommendation that he started getting interviews. His one worry about becoming a teacher was differentiating between pupils. At the beginning of term children get a name tag but that was useless to Steve, everyone looked the same especially as they were all wearing a uniform. But he learnt ways to manage.
” I was applying for teaching jobs and not getting any interviews. Feeling a little despondent, I went to see Tony about this, he was also puzzled. “I’ve written you a cracking reference Steve” he said, handing me a copy. I scanned through it. It was a cracking reference and then I saw some troublesome words. “Steve is partially sighted but this is in no way a handicap in the classroom” I asked Tony if he thought this to be true, was my sight an issue in the classroom? Tony admitted that he wondered how I would cope with a class beforehand but, now having seen me teach, he didn’t believe my sight to be a handicap or barrier at all. “So Tony I reasoned. Can you take that line out. All the reader will see is a dog and a white stick.” Tony agreed and I instantaneously obtained interviews for my next three teaching applications”
Steve went on to have a very successful teaching career becoming an Assistant Head. His book is a great read, recounting his youth and his years in education. My big takeaway from meeting Steve and reading his book is that he didn’t let his visual impairment hold him back from living a full and inspiring life.
Steve’s book is available from Amazon and on Kindle Sit down, Shut up, Behave by Steve Woodhull.
This book does contain some bad language so please be advised if this may offend you.
