Today we’d like to introduce you to Dave Steele.
Hi Dave, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
After being diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa a hereditary eye disease with no treatment or cure in 2014, I found myself unemployed due to being unable to drive anymore and struggling with anxiety and depression no just for grieving the decline of my sight but also feeling responsible for the financial struggles my family were going through. After nine months of trying to find support losing our house and feeding our children on food parcels as well as discovering that my newborn son and daughter from a previous relationship had a 1 in 2 chance of losing their sight when they are older due to my RP. But after discovering a talent for writing poetry about everything I was experiencing living with vision loss and sharing it with others, I found my purpose in life.
People around the world began using my poetry as a way of feeling less alone and isolated and as a way to explain to their loved ones how they were feeling when they couldn’t find the words themselves.
Now almost eight years since my diagnosis, I have become to be known as The Blind Poet. I’ve written over 800 poems, a trilogy of poetry books entitled Stand by me RP which all became number one releases on Amazon in both America and Australia. I have won various awards for my work and speak at events around the world. 2022 sees the release of the first in a new poetry Children’s book series entitled Austin’s amazing adventures based on my own son. The books are about a young visually impaired boy and his best friend his guide dog and aim to break down the needles social barriers children with disabilities face whilst giving them characters they can relate to and promote inclusion. These books are already being used in schools in the U.K. and America.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I’m still losing my sight so like others, I grieve for the sight I’ve lost and the sight I’m yet to lose. I also fight to erase the many misconceptions surrounding blindness/low vision. But these things inspire me to continue to reach more people with my poetry and support those affected by vision loss.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Since becoming known as The Blind Poet, my work has been featured by major news networks Tv and radio around the world. I have worked on global campaigns with organizations such as Apple Audi Kellogg’s Roche and many more. I continue to work with major sight loss charities around the world as a keynote speaker.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
I’ve learned that we have the strength to adapt to any of life’s challenges. The things we have been through in life give us the armour to face the challenges yet to come. I’ve taken my greatest challenges in life and turned them into my biggest achievements.
Contact Info:
- Email: Info@theblindpoet.net
- Website: TheBlindPoet.net
- Instagram: _theblind_poet_
- Facebook: The blind poet Dave steele
- Twitter: The Blind Poet RP
- Youtube: The blind poet channel
