HOW JOHN GOT STARTED
The Princess Royal spinal injuries unit, situated in Northern General Hospital, is known as the home of the Sheffield Steelers wheelchair basketball team, but each week it also plays host to a group of visually impaired archers.
The facility is considered one of the best in Sheffield for disability sport and is easily accessible for door to door pick up. Accessibility is a must when finding your way home can be very difficult.
The group is ran by Janete and Les Culf, who are involved with the Sheffield Royal Society for the Blind.
Like John, many members are referred to the group through the charity Blind Veterans UK, of which Les is also a member. The sight loss of members ranges from partial to total blindness, with some members also suffering from gradual degeneration of vision as they continue to get older.
Les and Janete coach new members but they also help the archers change their attitude towards their diagnosis. "Groups like ours focus on what visually impaired people can really do, and what new skills they can learn, not just what they are no longer able to do." says Les.