A leading eye surgeon and a vision impaired YouTube star will be the keynote speakers at the Annual Public Meeting of Norfolk’s sight loss charity – which will also celebrate the organisation’s 220th anniversary.
The event takes place at Vision Norfolk’s Bradbury Centre on Tuesday 14th October, and will also see the launch of the charity’s annual report and the unveiling of its key priorities for the coming years.
‘The Future of Eye Care’ will be the topic addressed by Francesco Sabatino, a leading consultant ophthalmic surgeon and renowned academic researcher. Mr Sabatino trained at Moorfields Eye Hospital in London and has internationally recognised fellowships in vitreoretinal surgery.
He will be joined by vision impaired influencer Rob Sears, whose YouTube channel Blind Focus shares his experience of living with retinitis pigmentosa, and especially the role that sport and training play in his resilience. He will be speaking about the importance of exercise for eye health and physical and mental wellbeing, highlighting that a disproportionate number of people living with sight loss struggle to access physical activities.
“We are delighted to welcome Francesco and Rob to our Annual Public Meeting,” said Andrew Morter, chief executive of Vision Norfolk. “They bring two very different perspectives to living with sight loss, one as a leading clinician, and the other as a younger person who has a growing reputation as a communicator and a voice representing vision impaired people.
“In addition to the two keynote speakers, the meeting will hear from a number of our service users, adding to an already rich agenda by featuring the voices of people directly involved with our charity.”
Vision Norfolk’s Annual Public Meeting takes place on Tuesday 14th October at 10.30am at the Bradbury Activity Centre, Beckham Place, Norwich NR3 3DZ. Those wishing to attend are asked to email [email protected], or call 01603 573000 ext 504.
The meeting will be followed with the annual service at Norwich Cathedral to commemorate Thomas Tawell, who founded the charity in 1805. That event takes place at 2pm in the south aisle of the cathedral, underneath the memorial to Thomas Tawell.