'Videos show how amazing my blind parents are'

A blind mother and father have been using TikTok to dispel misconceptions about their condition.

Lynne, 71, and Trevor, 74, from Hull, have more than 15,000 followers on the social media platform and have made a series of videos to show what life is like being blind parents to their sighted son, Richard, 33.

The family talk about many topics, including nappy changing and trips to the nursery, as well as the reaction of school friends and sharing hobbies together.

Richard said: "It makes me really proud to be able to showcase my mum and dad for what amazing parents they are."

Richard said his parents, who were both born blind, use audio labels to identify a tin of beans or smell and touch milk to see if it is in date.

One of the videos was filmed at Christmas and showed his mum opening a present, which she thought was perfume until Richard told her it was a tin of shortbread.

He thought the videos, which started off as personal and shared with friends before he was encouraged to upload to a wider audience, would show others how they had adapted to everyday tasks and address some of the misconceptions about being blind.

Richard said people had often queried whether blind people could be safe parents or questioned how they could cook or go to the gym, as well as wondering how people with sight could assist people without.

He added: "We want to create a safe space to showcase not only how amazing my mum and dad are but people with disabilities."

Lynne said making the videos "was great fun" and answered a lot of questions that sighted people felt too embarrassed to ask.

The couple said they welcomed questions and are happy to answer anything if it helps give a greater understanding about their life.

A spokesperson for the Royal National Institute of Blind people said: "Trev, Lynne and Richard are a fantastic example of a family who see each other beyond the barriers of sight loss.

"One of the biggest challenges for blind and partially sighted parents is the misconceptions they are faced with, but the family's hilarious videos help to smash these and show a happy, supportive family."

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