Blind man experiences 'torrent of abuse' when shopping at supermarket

'If every instruction and procedure is all visual how are we suppose to follow the guidelines?'

A former Tesco manager who is registered blind has described the 'torrent of abuse' he has received from people as he struggles with social distance.

Major concerns have been voiced by a Nottingham charity that blind people risk becoming 'further marginalised' through the coronavirus pandemic.

Neil Beeching, 63, from Bilsthorpe, lives on his own and describes himself as "fiercely independent" despite his life-changing diagnosis in 1984.

Mr Beeching has been registered severely sighted and blind, a degenerate disease which means he needs a cane and cannot see more than six inches in front of him.

He describes the heartbreaking moment he went into his local supermarket at the beginning of the pandemic and has forced him to never return.

He told Nottinghamshire Live: "As I went in I was instructed to follow the arrows and keep two metres apart and don't browse.

"My first issue was I could not find a basket because they had been moved.

"I have to use a long white cane and I tapped the back of a customer's leg and got a torrent of abuse such as 'keep your distance' and 'back off pal'.

"I did not know where I was going.

"With all due respect I could not see the arrows. I also need to pick things up to know what they are and I was told 'I could not do that.'

He said he asked the staff if they could assist him, but this was declined, as it would breach guidelines.

"They said 'we can't come close' so I have not been in that shop for the last eight weeks.

"I could not get anything or any help. I did not like it at all."

He even went to a local market to see if the experience was better but was refused help by members of the public, with one uttering 'you should not be out on your own.'

This daunting experience has meant Mr Beeching is worried about leaving his home, and has relied on the good will of a local fruit and vegetable shop and butchers to deliver his groceries each week.

He said when retail is due to open from June 15, he fears making trips into the city.

He said: "I had to stop driving and within a month (of being diagnosed) I lost all independence.

"I remember ringing up 14 different insurance companies and it was 'thank you, goodbye.'

"If you want to do something on a whim, you get in your car, but now it is a major operation.

"On the bus I have nearly ended up sitting on someone's lap before because I did not know if the seat was available or not.

"I would not have a clue where to sit now if it is a seat apart.

"I don't see me using a bus any time soon and I can't afford taxis. It is another avenue that has been wiped out for me."

He is calling on shops to provide social distancing markers that are raised so he can feel them with his feet.

He is also calling for more compassion among staff and the public.

"If every instruction and procedure is all visual how are we suppose to follow the guidelines?

"It is an extension to isolation for us. You are not just isolating from the virus but people and your own life.

"Your opportunities are limited at the moment and if the limited opportunities are not even available to you, you are stuffed.

"The anxiety levels have been out the window.

"You are constantly asking 'what to do?' 'where can I go?' and if you can't find the answer then you stay in."

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My Sight Notts, a local charity that has been supporting the county’s blind and partially sighted community for more than 175 years, said Mr Beeching's case was not an isolated one.

Julie Scarle, marketing and engagement manager for My Sight Notts, said: "I’m blind and live in Nottinghamshire myself so I fully understand the issues raised, which are echoed by many blind and partially sighted people across Notts who have been getting in touch to express their concerns.

"The people we support tell us that getting through lockdown when you can’t see to watch TV, read a book and stay connected to family and friends using new visual technology like Zoom has been especially challenging, leaving many people feeling lonely and isolated.

"As lockdown restrictions are eased, we would like to work with local service providers in public transport, shops and in local government to ensure blind and partially sighted people are not marginalised further by the systems they are putting in place to keep us all safe.

"I think there is real concern amongst local visually impaired people that arrows on shop floors denoting one-way systems that aren’t tactile, notices posted in café windows limiting the number of customers that we can’t read and red lines on buses and trams that we can’t feel will all make it hard for us to regain our independence and enjoy the easing of restrictions which other people will benefit from.

"Many of these difficulties can be resolved by engaging with visually impaired people and planning ahead to ensure the measures put in place are as accessible as they can be."