Sight loss charity Henshaws, which is based in Manchester, has praised ITV for including a visually impaired person on its dating show Love Island – a first for the programme.
Ron Hall, 25, a financial advisor from Essex, was shown to viewers entering the villa during Monday’s episode.
He suffered an accident while playing football when he was eight years old; the trauma left him partially sighted.
Now Henshaws, who are based in Old Trafford, have praised programme makers for including Ron and hope the move will raise important discussions around sight loss including showing how having a visual impairment is just one part of a person’s life and doesn’t need to hold you back.
Stephen Tongue, Henshaws Director of Fundraising, says: “We welcome ITV’s addition of Ron Hall to Love Island as a positive step when it comes to those living with a visual impairment.
“We hope the show can help raise awareness around sight loss and address some of the long-standing sight loss myths.
“We hope Ron has a fun time in the villa and we look forward to following his progress while he is on the programme.”
When it was announced Ron was to go on Love Island, he told the public about an incident while playing football which left the retina of one of his eyes detached. He went down to ‘head the ball’ while a fellow player came up with his foot.
When he went to hospital the following day, they told him it should be fine, but after a number of operations it later emerged that Ron would lose his sight in the affected eye.
The injury also left Ron with extreme pain, as well as sunlight sensitivity until he was aged 19. He’s tried to maintain a positive outlook and even says the accident has had some advantages.
Stephen adds: “Losing your sight or becoming visually impaired can be devastating for the person affected.
“Ron is a brave and courageous man who we know will help those who have experienced partial sight loss or cannot see at all.
“With millions watching a show such as Love Island, we hope his inclusion will help steer positive discussions around people with visual impairments.”
