Press Release issued: 11 January 2010.
Imagine hearing the Beatles music but having no idea what they look like. Of cheering the Apollo moon-landing but never actually seeing Neil Armstrong's historic 'giant leap for mankind'. Of applauding Chris Hoy's dazzling tally of Olympic gold without having been able to follow his efforts on television.
These are among the iconic images the Royal National Institute of Blind People Scotland is highlighting today as part of a major campaign to ask people what they'd miss most if they lost their sight.
'Big Brother' star Mikey Hughes, a presenter on RNIB's Insight Radio station who lost his sight at the age of 23, will launch the campaign at St Enoch's shopping centre in Glasgow.
"It could be seeing your family grow up, reading a book, watching a favourite film," he said. "But it could also be losing your job, your income and your livelihood.
"Every week ten people in Scotland start to lose their vision, but right now RNIB can only help one in three who need support. We want people to take just a moment to consider the devastating personal impact of sight loss."
As a centrepiece of the campaign, Mikey will unveil a specially commissioned advert that will be played on giant TV screens in shopping centres in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Dundee and Stirling over the next seven weeks.
The advert features iconic images from the past 40 years - they also include Princess Diana's wedding and Barack Obama's inauguration - reflected on an eyeball. A voice-over will invite passers-by to try and imagine not having been able to see any of these famous sights.
"But our campaign is interactive and we want to hear from the public, too," emphasises John Legg, director of RNIB Scotland. "People can visit the campaign website - www.whatwouldyoulose.org.uk - and post their own video clips and comments on what they think they would miss most if they lost their sight."
BBC 'Reporting Scotland' presenter Sally Magnusson has already posted a video clip. In it she says: "The first thing that swam into my mind is that cheeky look my youngest gives me when I ask him to do something he doesn't want to do, and it's all expressed in the twitch of a month and the raising of his left eyebrow. And I just melt. I would miss that.
"And then, the other night, I was driving home and I saw a sunset and the sky was streaked with fiery reds and golds and yellows and it took my breath away. To miss something like that would be an extraordinary loss."
John Legg said: "Already members of the public, and some well-known personalities from television, have told us what they'd miss most if they lost their sight. And we'd love to hear from more people. It's vital that we get our message across because with the public's support we can help people who lose their sight to find a life worth leading.
"RNIB Scotland supports children and their families in school. Transcribes written information and schoolbooks into braille, audio and large print. Trains people to retain their jobs or find new ones. Provides a huge range of equipment and aids. Campaigns and lobbies to improve legislation and policies. Advises on welfare rights. Organises leisure activities. Maintains a Europe's largest 'talking books' library.
"But we do very much depend on public support to do all of this."
* www.whatwouldyoulose.org.uk