I studied Product Design and Photography at Portsmouth College of Art and Design from 1979 to 1983. My father was a professional photographer and had his own business in Fareham in Hampshire.

Most of my professional life was working for Hampshire Museums Service. I was a collections officer and was responsible for the Historic Camera and Military Collections in Winchester. I had to retire early because of ill health (eyes) in 2011.

I went to Australia to study disabled access to museums and galleries, because all UK museums and galleries had to be accessible in 2005. I was a visually impaired museum professional. Australia has had a Disability Discrimination Act since 1985, so I went to see how they had made their sites accessible.

Since being registered as partially sighted and then blind, I have met many people who are in a far worse situation than me. Most people registered do not work and have great problems using public transport. Visiting any form of cultural institution for some people is almost impossible. Most are taken as members of an impaired group or society. People do visit as individuals, but if their sight is too bad they can benefit from the assistance of a relative or carer.