Army veteran who had to give up everything he worked for does something incredible

Wales Online

3 days ago

Army veteran who had to give up everything he worked for does something incredible
Phil Lewis has a life-changing condition meaning he could no longer work or drive and said it has had 'devastating' impact on his life
Phil Lewis
(Image: Alison Lewis )
For Phil Lewis, vision loss took away everything he had worked for his entire life. Although he knew the day was coming, with a hereditary condition affecting his grandparents, mother and siblings, the moment it happened was not any easier.
In 2020, coinciding with the coronavirus pandemic, the 61-year-old's condition retinitis pigmentosa, which makes cells in the retina break down slowly over time, causing vision loss, forced him to stop work.
He has entirely lost his side vision and all he can see is directly in front of him, but it is very limited, only in dark and light shades, just allowing him to manoeuvre himself around.
He said: "I was first diagnosed with my sight loss when I served in the Royal Engineers at about 21-22 years old. It was night vision that was the issue. I was devastated when I had to come out of the army, It was my career path, and I was only in it for four years, but I did my apprenticeship as carpenter and joiner, in the army, and luckily I came out and carried on with my trade.
"At that point, I thought my eyesight was fine, but it wasn't good enough to be in the military.
"It was fine to work, and I carried on with my trade during my working life for the next 35 years, self-employed with my company Tradesmen Carpentry Services, but it very gradually got worse over the years. It didn't really affect me at all until 2020. I had to stop then, because it was getting dangerous with scaffolding and roofs and things, it was a bit hairy.
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"I didn't have a choice, and it was devastating as I loved my job and my work and everything I had worked for, I had to just give up and stop overnight. I had no intention of stopping. I'd still be working today if I could.
"My grandparents had it, and my mother had it, my two brothers and two sisters have got it as well. I think that's why I worked so much, and worked so hard, knowing that when I get older I wasn't going to be able to support myself. I needed to work as hard as I could and get everything done up until the point I knew I wouldn't be able to do it. Unfortunately, it's come a bit quicker than I anticipated.
"The first three and a half years after I finished was depressing, it knocked my confidence and I lost the motivation to do anything as well. I couldn't drive or anything so it was awkward getting out and about."
In 2023, Mr Lewis took the decision to reach out for help from Blind Veterans UK, a not-for-profit organisation looking to support anyone who has served in the Armed Forces or who has done national service and is now living with significant sight loss.
The Fforestfach, Swansea resident, began receiving support from them, including the use of a cane for which he had training, which proved to be a game-changer for him.
"I had been at a bit of a loss really as to what to do next," he said.
"I by chance had a conversation with the optician that I had been in the army, and he mentioned the Blind Veterans, and I thought I'd give it a go and see what they could offer, and they have been fantastic.
"They came to see me and there was a bit of an assessment as to what I used to do and where I was in life. They couldn't believe I didn't have a cane and they got some pretty much straight away. They gave me a bit of cane training and stuff, and it gave me my confidence to get back out again.
"Up until that point, I'd been walking into people and getting into arguments all the time, but once I started using the cane properly, it changed my life and gave me confidence to get out there and do things again.
"I've got good mates who come here every week and we go out walking together, which has been a real boost. I'm married and I've got three daughters and six grandkids so it keeps me busy. I do the school runs every day, it all helps, and feels you have a bit of worth to help out."
Mr Lewis said he was keen to do something to give back to the charity which supported him when he most needed it. Together with his friends Chris Hannon and Colin Barry, as well as Sam Thomas who works as a rehabilitation officer for the visually impaired at the charity, he set off on an ambitious 26-mile walk along the Gower coast to raise £1,000 for the good cause, as part of its armed forces month campaign, which calls on people to organise activities to celebrate and commemorate key dates in the month of June.
Mr Lewis together with Chris Hannon, Colin Barry and Sam Thomas at the Big Apple in Mumbles
(Image: Alison Lewis )
Mr Lewis said: "These three men have been a great support to me throughout my sight loss journey and have helped me to prepare for this challenge. I couldn't have done it without them.
'The terrain on the route was extremely challenging; only the last four miles of the coastal path was an actual proper pathway. The rest was more like a coastal climb than a coastal walk!
'Sam was my guide during the walk. It must have been as exhausting for him as it was for me, if not more so. Sam gave me constant instructions in the tricky sections and had to watch my steps as well as his own. We had planned to go for a pint when we finished, but instead we all went home to bed.'
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The men taking part in the challenge
(Image: Alison Lewis )
Mr Thomas added: 'When I first met Phil, he was unable to travel independently around his local area and relied on his family when getting around. He required skills that would enable him to feel safe and confident.
'We began with short routes around the park and eventually started branching into unfamiliar areas. With the use of the long cane and the skills he learnt he soon felt confident with asking for support and relying on his own skills to walk longer and more complicated routes.
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'Phil has proved that sight loss does not prevent you from reaching your potential. He's met stumbling blocks on the way but has always found solutions to meeting his goals. It was an honour to take part in this walk with Phil. I have learnt so much in the short time we have worked together and am looking forward to our next challenge.'
If you would like to raise funds for the charity you can learn more on how to do so by clicking here.