Welcome to our Glaucomarize Blog

Here I will be posting articles, advice and information to help Glaucoma sufferers and their families throughout the world, to gain...

Wednesday 12 January 2022

THE BIG SKY

Glaucomarize are now challenging and raising awareness of what Niki calls “The Big Sky”- panorama and perspective; as lately, there has been a notable disregard from planners and developers with regard to glaucoma and sight impairments, loss of light and vista, and the difficulties and trauma these issues can cause. 

In our own vicinity, we live in a predominantly elderly and disabled community, many of whom are suffering from serious eye conditions – yet council planners have approved a major development that will profoundly affect so many lives, without conducting either a health impact assessment (HIA) or an equality impact assessment (EIA). In this case, councillors and planning officers have been making arbitrary decisions, without any knowledge or expertise regarding disabilities and visual impairments – which is why these assessments are vital and necessary and consultation should be mandatory, as the health impacts are often deeply challenging and profound.

We understand that these kind of decisions (which often flagrantly disregard both disability and equality enshrined in law, and thus become discriminatory), are going on all over the country and often lack foresight, kindness and consideration. Especially at a time when so many have and are suffering due to the unprecedented global pandemic.

Glaucomarize calls upon politicians and councillors to review the current planning laws; especially the cruel and antiquated premise that people do not have the right to a view. This might be the case if people have moved to a place without a specific view. But to take away people’s views and panoramas that are already established by constructing huge buildings that obstruct these often-beautiful vistas and block out the sunlight, is just pure meanness and thus a disgrace in a so-called civilized nation.

And for partially-sighted people who have often moved to a place especially for the views, special light and the sunsets, this is particularly crushing for their physical and mental well-being. It’s just adding to their problems and vision issues by essentially ‘stealing the sky,’ and reducing their light and visual perspectives. Moreover, many eye conditions (particularly glaucoma) are exacerbated by stress and anxiety, which can be serious when threatened with such inappropriate construction projects. 

The picture above is taken at Dungeness on the Romney Marsh in Kent, and demonstrates what Niki means by ‘The Big Sky’ and how she (and others like her) can see much clearer in such an environment.

 Jayl De Lara - January 2022

"At the centre of it all - your eyes"

 

2 comments:

  1. Extremely well written and clear article on this subject. Sky and light are absolutely essential for everyone's mental and emotional health but ESPECIALLY those with sight issues.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thank you so much for your kind words and accord with us. Such appreciation and support raise one's spirits and courage. Bless you.

    ReplyDelete