How Playing Guitar Transformed Craig Brown's Journey After Sight Loss

“Learning to play the guitar helped with the shock of going blind at the age of 30”

Vista ambassador Craig Brown, 34yrs from Leicester, is an inspiration to others living with sight loss. This month he’s been featured on TV, radio and press across the region sharing his story and raising funds for Vista.

Craig was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when he was just six years old. Over time this condition has caused severe damage to the retinas in both his eyes. Craig says he struggled to deal with the impact of losing his sight which started to deteriorate rapidly in his early 30’s.

Craig’s father is a guitar enthusiast and suggested that Craig gave it a go. Craig said: " My world was quite dark and gloomy, but learning the guitar gave me a focus and cracked the shell of my depression and helped me cope with going blind."

Vista became a lifeline for Craig as he came to terms with his sight loss. Craig said, “Vista was there for me at the hardest time in my life. They helped in so many ways from the practical things like adapting my home to emotional support.”

Craig wanted to dedicate his time to giving something back to Vista for all their support. He’s set up a fundraising page and his social media profile called Blind Guitar Guy has 1,000 followers on TikTok.

Craig said, “I may not be able to see objects in front of me but I can see the changes I’ve made in my life and can see a great future for myself alongside Blind Guitar Guy and Vista.”

Learning to play guitar has opened up a whole new life and community for Craig. He’s never looked back and describes it a ‘a new kind of sight’. He now hopes to work with Vista to inspire others and help blind and partially-sighted people learn the guitar.

To donate to Craig's fundraiser click here: