Stephen Joyce

Stephen was born with a sensory deteriorating condition called Usher Syndrome. He is profoundly deaf and has no peripheral vision. An IT graduate, Stephen has worked as Training Manager for Deafblind Scotland for fourteen years. He trains Guide Communicators who support and enable Deafblind people to be included and confident within their community. He is a very patient teacher and has a great sense of humour. A skilled communicator, Stephen travels all over Scotland delivering awareness training and the varied forms of communication to all sectors of the community, particularly Public Services. His first language is British Sign Language. Stephen is a keen sports fan. He has run seven Marathons and climbed the nineteen thousand feet to reach the summit of Mount Killimanjaro! The staff at Deafblind Scotland continue to admire and respect Stephen's endless enthusiasm and commitment in striving to help other people with dual sensory impairment and for aiming to bring awareness of their limitations to the wider community. I believe he should be part of the wonderful event as a Torchbearer, as I know the thrill he would get from participating would be something that would remain with him for life, and while he still has some vision remaining, he aims to make the most of his situation so that he can store up the memories for the future. It would be an inspirational experience for him, the staff, other people with his condition and his family.