MP Norman Lamb is led by guide dog Holly on a walk to experience the challenges of sight loss at first hand.
MP Norman Lamb’s blindfold walk around North Walsham to learn about issues facing people with sight loss
Picture: SUBMITTED
Monday, July 30, 2012
2:51 PM
MP Norman Lamb discovered the challenges faced by people with sight loss at first hand when he did a blindfolk walk around North Walsham.
He was led by Holly, a guide dog in training, and accompanied by Pete Smith, Fiona Wright, Alison Rampling and Helen Sismore from the Guide Dogs charity.
Mr Lamb also met Liz Ebbage and Marcus Rawling, who are guide dog owners living in the area to talk about some of the specific issues they face going out and about in North Norfolk.
Blind and partially sighted people face obstacles and challenges blind and every day as they go out and about in our town centres. The hazards they face often include tables and chairs on pavements outside cafes, badly designed pedestrian crossings and poorly parked cars that block the pavement.
Mr Smith said: “We’re extremely grateful to Norman Lamb for taking part in this event and we hope he found the experience useful in understanding how difficult it can be to get around if you are visually impaired.”
Mr Lamb said: “I was pretty apprehensive about this beforehand. But my guide dog was fantastic, and in the end I felt utterly safe. Guide Dogs do some really fantastic work.”
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5 comments
well norman we all remember what you said before the election that the biggest risk to our NHS was the tories . perhaps you should read the small print before voting for it all next time .
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Double Bill
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
How commendable of you Mr Lamb. It is your first public announcement that I am aware of regarding the Ambulance service. Others beside myself mentioned the lack of response from you at the time. But if I remember correctly the key issue to the cuts was not response times but one person teams instead of two. I am willing to be corrected on this matter.And please feel free to comment on the privatisation of the NHS. A leap of 2-3 % private asset accessibility to 49% can only be seen as surely a step towards full privatisation.
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norman hall
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
I did this because I was specifically invited by the organisation, Guide Dogs. I think they appreciated the opportunity to highlight some key issues - which I will take up. On the ambulances, I have been campaigning constantly on the need to improve response times. Last week I met with a paramedic and have now written to the Chief Executive of the Trust raising my concerns at what is proposed. I will also be visiting the Cromer ambulance station.
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Norman Lamb
Monday, July 30, 2012
Is he a 50 Shades of Gray fan?
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omnishambles
Monday, July 30, 2012
Mr Lamb was remarkably silent when the Ambulance service was cut recently. And he was in favour of the NHS being allowed to open up 49% of its assets private use. It could be construed as privatisation of the taxpayer owned NHS. In view of all, this to walk around North Walsham blindfolded smacks of just being a gimmick. There are plenty of unfortunate people who cannot remove a blindfold at the end of the exercise who are better qualified to comment.
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norman hall
Monday, July 30, 2012