BLIND overnight: My sight loss story

"I remember telling my younger brothers and sisters that the lights had gone out for Shawnie" This is perhaps the most traumatic video I've ever uploaded.
I lost my vision in December 1999 when I just turned 16. Life is good for me and I am happy, but sight loss is traumatic and 22 years after losing the tiny vision I had, I realise that I may never come to terms with my disability. I usually block out the accident that led to my blindness, when a fellow pupil accidentally knocked an oak door in to my head - but it really is very raw.
I promise you though that life does get better.
If you have ANY questions, please put them below. If you need to talk, let me know and if you have been affected by the issues raised here, you can call the Samaritans in the UK on 116 123 or google for non-UK contact numbers.
You can call the RNIB HelpLine too on 0303 123 9999. It's ok to say you may struggle with sight loss, or even hearing my story.
Please reach out. Things do get better, I promise.
Please do sub if you'd like to follow my journey more.
Intro music:
Music for branded slate Song: LAKEY INSPIRED - Warm Nights
/ lakeyinspired

[@johnhaggerty4396]

Siobhan spoke of the boy in school who mocked her for being blind. I wonder if he remembers his disgusting behaviour ?

[@BlindGirlVlogs]

I hope he does. Then again people don't always think about their actions later on in life. I hope that you are well.

[@Salsensual-yf5jx]

Your story brought me to tears, I really don't know why. Thank you for sharing your story and bless your heart. Much love from the Netherlands.

[@sannaslife6395]

The best KZbin channel ever you deserve so many subscribers

[@MummaQuan]

I can’t imagine going through what you’ve been through. You’re so strong & such an inspiration. ❤️❤️❤️

[@BlindGirlVlogs]

I really do appreciate your lovely words, they mean so much to me. I think it’s important to not only share the positive parts of life but equally I want to be open, honest and real. Even though I was in the pit of despair that day, and months afterwards but there is hope and happiness.

[@SassyWyattBlind]

So powerful and so moving. Thank you for sharing this with the world. I am so glad you got the love and support you deserve, to come through as the shining light you are today! ❤️❤️ xxx

[@BlindGirlVlogs]

Thank you so much, such a Beautiful message. I hope you are keeping safe and well. XX

[@user-ng7ij5ri4f]

I really liked the message of your video and it is a way to move forward. Especially those of us who have visual disabilities and move independently

[@Koda_Grey]

You really are so strong. I still have light and some shadows in my right eye. Sometimes it feels like it doesn’t help at all and other times it’s all I cling to. I know eventually I too will be totally blind. I feel like such a coward since I’m so scared for that day. A part of me just wishes it will happen to get it over with. Thank you for proving there is still hope and happiness ahead. It means more than you know. You have become one of my favourite channels to follow. I look forward to each time you post. It’s comforting to know I’m not alone.

[@BlindGirlVlogs]

Oh my goodness, what a truly heartwarming message, thank you for your words. Please don’t feel a coward, because it’s your feelings and they are very real to you. I know the torment and the anxiety you are feeling but I want to reiterate and try to reassure you that there is hope, life and opportunities out there. Definitely don’t feel alone and reach out to those people you trust and to services that can offer that support. I’m only a comment away to so please feel free to reach out to me as well. Take good care of yourself and remember, be kind to yourself to. X

[@sightlesshero1969]

Awww Jesus I just cried! This is a sad but vitally important video for you and for people facing sight loss or supporting someone. I remember this day well for myself too xx sending hugs!

[@BlindGirlVlogs]

Oh bless you lovely. Sending you hugs back. You know exactly what I’m talking about as you’ve been through the same process to. I do think it’s important to talk about because although my life is now positive, happy and going well, it’s important to also talk about those days during that time when things weren’t great. I want to be real and open to people to give them hope that there is A life worth living. I didn’t go into every detail and emotion I felt because it would be too much in my opinion to talk about but yes, the thought of suicide definitely was there. Xxx

[@sightlesshero1969]

@@BlindGirlVlogs sending love your way xxx it’s so damn tough! I still have my bad depressed days, but life is on the up! You’re so amazing xxx

[@mamaK648]

Such an honest and transparent way to teach us all and tell us your story.. you are amazing. You bring light to our lives and keep us going as well. THANK YOU. Love from us to you. ♡

[@BlindGirlVlogs]

Thank you so much for your beautiful message. Your love, support and truly genuine comments mean the world to me. to be a part of your amazing family is so incredible. Thank you so much for this heartwarming comment it’s lifted me in such a dark place at the moment. Appreciate you all. XX.

[@Fartman3000]

You are a strong woman and I hope you continue smashing life and be a source of hope and inspiration to others

[@BlindGirlVlogs]

Thank you so much for your beautiful message. This really did uplift me reading it. I hope you are keeping well.

[@fawnnahh7438]

I cried throughout this video. Admire your willingness to be candid

[@BlindGirlVlogs]

Thank you for your comment, it means a lot to me. I’m sorry I made you cry. Sending hugs.

[@travislitehiser]

😭bless your heart Siobhan such a sad Journey that you had to go through Feeling terrified feeling scared feeling helpless there’s nothing worse but you got through it You had the love and support of everyone everyone rallied around you everybody loved and cared about you and they still do 22 year’s later you’ve come a long way since then be proud of yourself be proud of the person that you are now Because I am proud of you and I love you for the person that you are!

[@BlindGirlVlogs]

You are so lovely and so kind, thank you for your beautiful words. They really do touch my heart and mean so much to me, so thank you. X

[@travislitehiser]

@@BlindGirlVlogs thank you siobhan❤️🙂🌹

[@footynutguy]

Ouch. This is a difficult watch. I can't imagine how difficult that must've been. The nearest I could get to it is not being able to walk after my back operation and then being on bed rest for 6 months. I then learned to walk after another 9 months in a rehabilitation hospital. The only scary part of that was meeting Peter Morrison MP but even that was nowhere near as scary as what you must've gone through.

[@meadowm1742]

Siobhan. Yet again I'm blown away by your strength. Sending hugs to your 16 year old self and the lovely woman you are now. Your courage and determination will inspire others facing similar issues.

[@BlindGirlVlogs]

Such beautiful words, thank you so much for commenting and for making me smile. My aim is to hopefully raise awareness about sight loss but to also offer hope and reassurance to those recently diagnosed. Thank you. X

[@meadowm1742]

@@BlindGirlVlogs You will undoubtedly help recently diagnosed people with sight loss issues. Your work is so worthwhile.

[@BlindGirlVlogs]

@@meadowm1742 thank you, I really do appreciate your supportive words and encouragement. Lovely to have you here in the comments.

[@joicedobson204]

Love to you beautiful lady…❤

[@BlindGirlVlogs]

Aww, thank you so much for your beautiful comment. X

[@marjanaskitchen5955]

Oh bless you 😍 your such a strong wonderful woman , you and sean are a beautiful couple i miss doing your Hair Lots if love from Ray

[@BlindGirlVlogs]

Thanks so much Ray. I do often think about you and how you are getting on. Hope life and everything is treating you well. I miss you doing my hair too. Loved our chats. X

[@henrikharbin5521]

This is a harrowing story. I lived through something similar in 2012. If you want to know the story, I can share it. I will pray for you :)

[@kimhollenbeck1308]

Hi blind girl,I really enjoyed watching your video on how you went blind overnight 2 years ago in the u.k.In the last 2 years since you went blind overnight what kind of help have you recieved from the blind school?How are you doing with your o&m structure in the u.k.?Have you gotten help from your 9&m instructor in your home and around the u.k.? My name is Kim and I have been visually impaired with limited vision for 58 years now,I use a white cane,I wear glasses and wrap around sunglasses,I have used my white came with a roller ball tip since I graduated from high school in June 1984.Over several years since I was 3 years old I have had a lot of operations on my eyes including ongoing cataracts in my eyes and on March 13 I have an eye cataract surgeon doctor examining my eyes

[@cayleighwhelan771]

Cheer up you are never stupid Think about all the positivity not negative times 😃

[@seaninherts]

Cheer up? She’s allowed to recall her sight loss journey to help others with sight loss. Siobhan is having a perfectly cheery evening here.

[@seaninherts]

Okay, I’ve had a word with her, and as I’m blind myself I’m allowed to have some fun with this so let’s get ready for that…. Okay, so you’re blind now, and you can’t see what you could before, but on the plus side if you look rough one morning, you won’t be able to see it. That’s cheerful. At the cinema, it might be a bit crap not being able to see the screen, but the good news is you can take someone else in for free yay. The Eiffel Tower, climbing to the top of that’s pretty pointless when you can’t see it isn’t it? On the plus side they let you skip the queue. Pretty rubbish not being able to drive, but it’s okay, you can get a very tiny small marginal discount on the train hotah. Yes cheer up Siobhan. Stop whining like a little b**h 😂 Never said, if you do want to see Siobhan having a laugh, you can look at it here kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZpeZqGeOp7yaaaM

[@IndigoJo]

Do you think the school did the best they could here? I'm surprised you had to call out for help when they knew you had just lost all your sight and this was a school for blind and visually impaired children where surely people had suffered sudden dramatic or total vision loss in the past. They (or a staff member they knew you got on with and trusted) should have been there with a gentle knock in the morning, an arm round the shoulder as much as you needed it and words of reassurance that things would get easier even though they knew you were scared and disoriented at the time (and keeping the bully well away). Do they think about how these things affect someone in the long term? (Or maybe it should be "did they" because most blind schools, including that one, have closed.)

[@Thot_Patrol_USA]

q: what if I don’t live in the UK? who do i call if this should ever happen to me?

[@BlindGirlVlogs]

Hey, this really depends on where you live and what provisions are available to you in the country you live. I suppose the first port of Call would be your primary physician or GP. I'm sorry I can't be any more use to you than this. However, definitely speaking to a medical professional if this did ever happen is the first step. That's what I would do in your position.

[@pamtizzard2627]

What accident occured

[@BlindGirlVlogs]

I collided with a swing door. I was going through one way and there was a child coming through the other and the door swung into me. Nobody's fault, it was a pure accident

[@Callitwhatitis]

What’s the accident?

[@BlindGirlVlogs]

Colliding with the door, that's what claimed the remaining vision I had.

[@Callitwhatitis]

@@BlindGirlVlogs sad to hear, stay strong!

[@BlindGirlVlogs]

@@Callitwhatitis thank you very much, I really appreciate your uplifting message. :-).

[@tomashize]

I honestly dont think i would have coped or even still be here. Her strength and resilience are impressive