Matilda Ziegler Magazine for the Blind the source for blindness news and information since 1907

© BBC, U.K. — A blind man has piloted a £3m passenger catamaran across the Solent to raise awareness for stem cell research, which could one day help restore sight. Colin McArthur, whose blindness is caused by a genetic condition, took the controls for the hour-long return trip. The father-of-five from Sandown, Isle of Wight, said he “enjoyed every minute” of the experience. It marks the launch of a project by the University of Southampton to find a cure for inherited blindness…. READ ARTICLE

By Martin Neville © Isle of Wight County Press, Newport — A blind man will pilot a new £3 million 260-seater catamaran across one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world to raise funds for pioneering stem cell research. Colin McArthur, 58, will be taking the controls of the Wightlink catamaran on Thursday, October 22, to raise awareness and funds towards an exciting new project to test whether stem cells from the iris can be re-grown in the retina to restore sight to those who have gone blind through retinitis pigmentosa. The project is being undertaken by a team of researchers in Southampton, headed by Prof Andrew Lotery. He said: “We are now able to take tissue from the front of the eyes and isolate stem cells, which ultimately we believe can be turned into the cells needed to restore sight…. READ ARTICLE

By Ross Findon © Isle of Wight County Press, U.K. — He may have been blind for 20 years but that did not stop brave fundraiser Colin McArthur from embarking on the latest in a series of adreneline-fuelled stunts for charity. The 58 year old has piloted a plane, got behind the controls of a hovercraft and flown a glider in the past, and this weekend he hit the water for his latest adventure — skippering a £1 million, 15-tonne lifeboat capable of 16 knots, in aid of the RNLI and RP Fighting Blindness…. READ ARTICLE