Meet Lauren Marsh, a radio presenter who despite being blind presents her own radio show.
The 21-year-old Glasgow girl spoke to Every Side Of Life about her thirst to be heard on radio and how far she has come.
The 21-year-old Glasgow girl spoke to Every Side Of Life about her thirst to be heard on radio and how far she has come.
"Everyone wasn't really sure that it was going to be a possibility."
Lauren was born blind but had always listened to radio for entertainment. She ended up taking a trip to Insight Radio, a radio station served by visually impaired radio enthusiasts which is funded by the Royal National Institute for Blind People.
"I started to realise I wanted to be on radio since I was about 16 or 17."
She went through some training courses and ended up getting a spot on the Hospital Broadcasting Service which served hospitals in Glasgow and Paisley.
"Everyone wasn't really sure that it was going to be a possibility." For Lauren, there was no such thing as the impossible. She said people were worried about training her so it took her a good couple of years before she eventually proved she could be on-air.
"I started to realise I wanted to be on radio since I was about 16 or 17."
She went through some training courses and ended up getting a spot on the Hospital Broadcasting Service which served hospitals in Glasgow and Paisley.
"Everyone wasn't really sure that it was going to be a possibility." For Lauren, there was no such thing as the impossible. She said people were worried about training her so it took her a good couple of years before she eventually proved she could be on-air.
"Last week, I pulled the wrong fader for the mic up, so I don't know how that actually worked!"
Being blind naturally proves a difficulty in presenting a radio show and most importantly, driving desks, something many presenters struggle to do. With several faders, buttons to push and a show not to mess up, Lauren presents her show with ease with the help of Braille.
"Last week, I pulled the wrong fader for the mic up, so I don't know how that actually worked!" she laughed.
Impressed with her capabilities on radio despite her lack of sight, the Hospital Broadcasting Service posted a video of Lauren presenting her radio show on their Facebook page which received more than 8,000 views in a day.
"Last week, I pulled the wrong fader for the mic up, so I don't know how that actually worked!" she laughed.
Impressed with her capabilities on radio despite her lack of sight, the Hospital Broadcasting Service posted a video of Lauren presenting her radio show on their Facebook page which received more than 8,000 views in a day.
"Don't even think of letting the public opinion put you off."
Even though Lauren's condition could possibly discourage her to do the things she would like, she remains positive about her life and takes a half-full glass approach to life. She said she was glad she was already blind when she born rather than being blind later on. "I think it might be quite distressing. I actually do have a friend whose sight loss came on quite quickly so I can't imagine what that would be like."
Lauren's message to other people with visual impairment is that there may be limits but the possibilities still seem endless. "Don't even think of letting the public opinion put you off. If you think you can do it, then you should really give it a go. You may need some help but help should be out there."
Lauren's message to other people with visual impairment is that there may be limits but the possibilities still seem endless. "Don't even think of letting the public opinion put you off. If you think you can do it, then you should really give it a go. You may need some help but help should be out there."
"At the end of the day there is not much I can do!"
Although Lauren's ambition is set on radio, she wants to achieve more fulfilling things. She is now considering midwifery and said she would love to help mothers give birth.
"Yes it's sad I cannot help deliver them (babies) but at the end of the day there is not much I can do!"
Lauren is extremely thankful for her parents, especially her dad, who has helped her shape her career on radio. "He has even made CDs of my shows for friends and family but there might be more if I ever get popular."
To learn more about Insight Radio which supports visually impaired people get a head start on radio, visit: http://www.insightradio.co.uk/
"Yes it's sad I cannot help deliver them (babies) but at the end of the day there is not much I can do!"
Lauren is extremely thankful for her parents, especially her dad, who has helped her shape her career on radio. "He has even made CDs of my shows for friends and family but there might be more if I ever get popular."
To learn more about Insight Radio which supports visually impaired people get a head start on radio, visit: http://www.insightradio.co.uk/