Which historical figure overcame his own disability to revolutionize society and reform health care for the better?

Who is credited with saving the sight of over 50 million people in developing countries?

Sir John Wilson is one of the most important figures of the 20th century and his legacy means that globally, millions of blind or partially-sighted people are now are able to live to their full potential. With a great sense of empathy, Sir Wilson was passionate about bringing proper eye care to the poor and disadvantaged people of the world.

Where did the initial roots of his compassion come from? An unfortunate accident left Wilson blind, at the age of 12. In his native Scarborough, England, young Wilson was conducting a school chemistry laboratory test when it exploded in his face. The circumstances could have been devastating, had he not had the determination to learn from his personal tragedy. Wilson transferred to Worcester College for the Blind and there learnt life skills which would serve him well into the future.

Determined and deeply religious (devout Anglican), young John Wilson pushed himself forward and went on to gain a double first at Oxford University. A compassionate person, he then dedicated the rest of his life to helping the blind and partially sighted of the world. Wilson turned down a tertiary teaching post and instead worked at the Royal National Institute for the Blind. This lead him to fulfill the following achievements in his 50 year career where he constantly advocated change and took action.

• In 1946, after a government sponsored research trip to overseas British areas, Wilson established the Royal Commonwealth Society for the Blind (RCSB) which is now known as Sight-Savers International.

• Wilson also founded the following organizations “Disability Awareness in Action” and the “International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness.”

• In 1969, Sir Wilson pushed forward an idea for a group of Blind Africans to scale the heights of Mount Kilimanjaro. This was done to prove that the blind were as capable as the able bodied and were not second class citizens. The ascent was a success and broke down many people’s preconceptions.

• Wilson was determined to bring care to ALL including the poor in developing nations; while at the RCSB, Wilson formed many organisations to 1). Train the blind with life skills 2). To further prevent blindness in over 30 Commonwealth countries. Such was his commitment, he often traveled over 50,000 miles a year to see how the projects were developing.

• After a powerful presentation to the United Nations, Wilson also formed the “Impact Foundation” which called for the prevention of all avoidable disability. Presently, up to 450 million people worldwide reap the benefits of this programme.

• Wilson’s work has also seen the negative effects of ‘River Blindness’ (onchocerciasis) lessened to a greater extent. Presently, approximately 140 million people in Africa are at risk of infection.

• Some poor communities are often hard to reach; in India, he helped set up village eye camps to treat cataracts with specialists traveling and performing a number of operations per day. Also in India, he helped set up the “Lifeline Express” which travels on the Indian railway system and helps patients with sight, hearing and mobility problems. A similar idea with a riverboat was also launched in Bangladesh. Some people can’t reach hospitals so you bring the doctors to them!

Over the span of his 50 year career, with a keen sense of empathy, Sir Wilson fought to give the blind / partially sighted an equal and fair chance in life. He did more than that, he changed societies perceptions and revolutionized healthcare all around the world.

For his life’s work, he earned endless accolades including: The Helen Keller International Award (1970) World Humanity Award (1978) Royal Society of Medicine's Richard T. Hewitt Award (1991) Albert Schweitzer International Prize (1993). OBE (1955) CBE (1965) and a Knighthood (1975).

But his greatest prize was for blind of the world; some may have not been able to see but Sir John Wilson gave them a voice to be heard…..

A single individual can change society…..Dream big!

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Sightsavers Official Website - an international charity which works with partners to eliminate avoidable blindness and promote equality of opportunity for disabled people in the developing world. Royal National Institute for the Blind - Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) is the UK's leading charity offering information, support and advice to almost two million people with sight loss. Royal Commonwealth Society for the Blind