Statement from RNIB (Royal National Institute of Blind People).
1 March 2012.
The Death of David Rathband
We are shocked and saddened to hear of the sudden death of PC David Rathband, who was blinded in an attack by Raoul Moat in 2010.
David became a supporter of our organisation and he was due to represent RNIB in the Gold Challenge Olympic fundraising event this April. He was also set to record his autobiography for our RNIB Talking Books service.
Sight loss can have a devastating impact on people's lives. An individual can lose more than their ability to see, they can lose their life as they once knew it.
It's vital that people in this situation are offered support so they aren't left alone when they are most vulnerable. Every individual's experience of sight loss is different, but RNIB believes that with the right support, people who have lost their sight can live just as fulfilling a life as before.
Our deepest sympathies go out to David's family at this very sad time.
Ends.
For more information, or to speak to experts and case studies, please contact Susan Fiddian or Stacey Kerr in the RNIB Public Relations Team on: 020 7391 2223 or email
susan.fiddian@rnib.org.uk and
Stacey.kerr@rnib.org.uk
You can find information about the impact of sight-loss on RNIB's
Emotional Support Service web pages. You can get in touch with the service via the RNIB Helpline on 0303 123 9999.
For anyone in distress and wanting immediate emotional support, The Samaritans runs a 24 hour, confidential support helpline on 08457 909090.
Notes to editors
Facts about sight loss
Being diagnosed with an eye condition can cause a wide range of reactions. It can be an extremely confusing and uncertain time and in many cases it is emotionally traumatic.
One of the key things a number of people who have lost their sight express dissatisfaction with is how ophthalmologists or other staff communicated the news that nothing more could be done to help them.
Sight loss is associated with a higher than normal risk of depression.
70 per cent of blind and partially sighted people said they wanted someone to talk to about their fears and concerns after being told they were losing their sight. Only 19 per cent were offered this opportunity in the eye clinic.
A survey of registered individuals reveals that after diagnosis only 8 per cent of blind and partially sighted people were offered formal counselling by the eye clinic, either at the time or later.
Nearly a quarter (23 per cent) of blind and partially sighted people leave the eye clinic not knowing, or unsure of, the name of the eye condition that caused them to lose their sight.
About RNIB
Every day around 100 people in the UK start to lose their sight. There are around 2 million people in the UK with sight problems.
RNIB is the leading charity working in the UK offering practical support, advice and information for anyone with sight difficulties.
If you, or someone you know, has a sight problem RNIB can help. Call the RNIB Helpline on 0303 123 9999, email
helpline@rnib.org.uk or visit
www.rnib.org.uk