A blind veteran from West Sussex has been awarded an ‘Outstanding Achievement’ award by the charity Blind Veterans UK, at an event held at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.
Stu Rodd, 51-years-old and from Worthing, was nominated by Blind Veterans UK Development Manager, Emma McLaughlin.
She says:
“Stu joined our charity just over a year ago, describing himself at the time as a broken man. Since then he has demonstrated immense courage, resilience and determination. With the right support, he is now thriving.
“He is rebuilding his life and pushing himself in bold new ways, including completing the Southeast Ultra and walking 50km across the South Downs, raising an incredible £7,500 to give back to our charity. Stu’s tenacity and self-belief are truly inspirational, and he is more than deserving of this award.”
The award was presented by Josh Vause from Blind Veterans UK’s charity partner, Amazon.
Stu joined the Royal Engineers at the age of 17 as a Sapper, but his military career was cut short after a serious medical problem on exercise. He says: “I was suddenly out, with no plan.” He went on to work in IT, spent a couple of years in the police, and eventually found fulfilment in running his own building company.
Alongside work, Stu immersed himself in sport and outdoor life, with horse riding becoming a passion and way of life.
In his mid-40s, Stu began suffering recurring bouts of diverticulitis, eventually requiring surgery. Shortly after being discharged, he started blacking out. One collapse sent him tumbling down a staircase and through reinforced glass; another occurred while working on a roof. Despite extensive testing, doctors found no clear cause.
Then, one evening in a pub, Stu suffered a respiratory arrest. “I bought a pint, sat down – and that was it” he says. He was declared dead on arrival at hospital, and his family were called to say goodbye. He eventually survived, but with catastrophic consequences.
When Stu woke, he was unable to speak, bedridden and blind. He spent three years in hospital. His sight loss was caused not by damage to his eyes, but by oxygen deprivation to the visual cortex of his brain.
“I can sense light and colour, but there’s no detail at all. It’s like everything’s moving, shaking – like a snow globe,” he explains.
Stu had to sell his property and close his business. Upon discharge from hospital in 2024, with nowhere suitable to live, he had to stay in a friend’s spare bedroom before finding a place to rent.
Luckily he found out about Blind Veterans UK and went for an introductory week at the charity’s Rustington Centre.
“I was terrified,” Stu admits. “But after about an hour, I thought, maybe this is going to be all right.”
With the charity’s support, he has rebuilt his life – learning to cook, returning to fitness and rediscovering purpose.
Stu now practises judo and Thai boxing, takes on long-distance hikes, and on the first anniversary of leaving hospital walked 57 kilometres in the South Coast Ultra, raising £7,500 to give back to Blind Veterans UK.
“I’ve been given a second chance,” he reflects. “So, I’m just going to keep going and see where it takes me. For the first time in a long time, I’m looking forward to what comes next. Later this year I’ll be taking on the 100km South Coast Ultra with a 350-mile log carry which will be a first.”
Blind Veterans UK’s Founders Awards mark the anniversary of the founding of the charity when Sir Arthur Pearson opened the doors to war-blinded veterans in 1915 for the very first time. They recognise the inspiring contributions of blind veterans and their family members who share the same boundless spirit as the charity’s founder.
Blind Veterans UK supports thousands of blind veterans across the country, but knows there are many thousands more who still need its support to rebuild their lives after sight loss.
If you, or someone you know, served in the Armed Forces, including National Service, and are now struggling with sight loss, then please get in touch. Call 0800 389 7979 or visit blindveterans.org.uk/gethelp
