The Blind Poet

Meet Dave, an award-winning poet, author, speaker, singer and advocate for the blind. Diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa in 2014, he is now severely sight impaired.

The impact of RP unfolded alongside challenges of unemployment and financial strain for Dave, his wife Amy, and their four children. He found support through social media. Sharing his experiences, he raised awareness about misconceptions and injustices faced by visually impaired people. His background in singing led to the creation of “Stand By Me RP,” a reimagining of Ben E. King’s classic, which he first performed at a meeting for those with RP and Usher Syndrome.

In 2015, Dave founded “Stand By Me RP,” now a leading global Facebook community for people with RP. Writing two to three poems daily, Dave shared his journey and inspired others facing similar challenges.

Now a Patron of Henshaws, Dave uses his poetry to give a voice to those affected by blindness and low vision.

The Blind Poet – Meta Community Voices

An initiative launched by Meta, Community Voices spotlights and celebrates meaningful stories shared by people and communities. These voices often reflect diverse perspectives and aim to connect audiences. In the Meta video below, Dave shares his story of vision loss and becoming The Blind Poet.

To take our greatest challenges and show if we believe, that blindness won’t define us, there’s so much we can achieve.

Dave Steele, The Blind Poet

Henshaws graphic with pink and purple shapes

Learn how to get involved

From fundraising events to volunteering, there are plenty of ways to give to make a difference at Henshaws

Accreditations & Awards