Psychology student wins deaf-blind essay prize

Congratulations to Lando Hilton, currently studying for a degree in our School of Psychology, who came second in a national essay competition organised by the deaf-blind charity Sense and is featured in today’s Leicester Mercury.

Lando lost his hearing at the age of five and has since had a cochlear implant. Three years ago he was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa. This is a genetic condition, affecting about 1 in 4,000 people, which damages the retinal rod cells, leading to gradual loss of sight, starting with peripheral vision and low light vision.

Our disability access unit, the AccessAbility Centre, helps Lando by providing a note-taker during lectures and ensuring that he has appropriate software on his computer. He is planning to become a health psychologist or researcher.

Sense, the national charity for deaf-blind children and adults, organised the essay competition, encouraging people with sight/hearing problems to describe their lives. Lando’s essay was awarded second prize, which he received from actress Rebecca Front at a ceremony in London.

But that's not Lando's only recent achievement. He was also in London on Sunday, running the London Marathon in support of RP Fighting Blindness, the charity which funds research into retinitis pigmentosa and supports people who have the condition.

You can read an extract from Lando's essay on the Mercury website.