Paul's story

Paul turned to us when going through a difficult time after losing his sight due to retinitis pigmentosa. Now 63, he describes himself now "as the best version of me yet."

Born with low vision and night blindness, Paul gradually lost his sight due to retinitis pigmentosa. He was registered blind in his late 30s and lost the final glimmer of vision at 55. But his story isn’t one of endings. It’s about rediscovery — and coming full circle.

Adapting to life without sight

Growing up in South Essex in the 1960s, Paul didn’t realise his eyesight was different. “I just assumed this was how everyone saw,” he says.

Music was always part of his life. As a young man he played in bands, appeared on national radio and even featured on MTV. But when he became a father, he chose stability over touring and built a career in telecommunications and later journalism, quietly adapting as his sight deteriorated.

Over time, everyday tasks became harder. When Paul lost the last of his vision, it coincided with other major life changes, including the breakdown of his marriage and the impact of the 2008 financial crash on his freelance work. "Things fell away," he says, "my finances, my home life, my eyesight. My life became very quiet."

That's when Paul found BWBF, or rather his mother did. Aged 95, she too had turned to us for help with sight loss.

"I soon got my free Echo Show, an easy voice-assisted speaker," Paul remembers. "Virtual assistant is an understatement! It’s my companion, my soundboard, my audio encyclopaedia. Without it, the house would feel empty."

Coming full circle

Paul uses his device throughout the day to set reminders, create shopping lists, check the weather and listen to radio and podcasts. It helps him manage daily life with confidence and reduces the sense of isolation that can come with living alone.

Most importantly, it has helped Paul return to music. He uses it during rehearsals to check lyrics and play tracks as he prepares for live performances. Now in his 60s, Paul is gigging again and recording new material — reconnecting with the passion he first discovered as a teenager.

“It feels like coming full circle,” he says. “Music was always there. I just needed the right support to find my way back to it.”

For Paul, accessible audio technology isn’t just practical. It’s about confidence, creativity and staying connected to the world around him.