VIDEO: Gwynedd man with sight loss inspires others

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00:00Hi, my name is Philip Jones and I'm going to talk about how the community has enabled me to have an influence in my personal life.

00:11I was born 26 years ago in Bangor, England. I only weighed 1 pound, 11 ounces.

00:18And that means that I weigh less than a bag of sugar.

00:21I was 3 years old when I was diagnosed with cancer. My family and friends found out.

00:29I have no cancer at all. I can only see through my glasses.

00:35I went to primary school, the old school in Arfon, when I was 5 years old.

00:40They brought in a specialist teacher just to assess me.

00:44In the end, in 2010-12, they asked the local community of Gogledd Cymru...

00:52..if they could go over there to see what they could give me...

00:57..in terms of donations, to see what they could help me with in the old school.

01:02In terms of going to primary school, it was hard.

01:06In terms of making friends, it was hard. I thought it was the only way to start school.

01:11I was lucky to just be by myself.

01:14Years later, I packed my bags to come and make friends.

01:20One of the staff I bonded with at school...

01:24..was the head of the Bwmcath band, Elidir Glyn.

01:27They were one and the same to me.

01:29The bond is still there today, really.

01:32We were a clan, a community, ready to help at all times.

01:37There was nothing stopping us at all.

01:40If there was work to be done, we did it.

01:43After I finished primary school in 2019-2011...

01:48..I had to make one of the hardest decisions of my life...

01:54..to move to Gogledd Cymru...

01:56..to go to the Royal National College for the Blind in Herithford.

02:01No-one else spoke the language there.

02:04I felt lonely.

02:05I was bullied because I spoke the language I loved.

02:10I'm one of those people who think...

02:13..people with disabilities have the choice...

02:16..of going to another country to study a different education.

02:21A disability doesn't have to go because the disability doesn't exist.

02:26HE SINGS IN WELSH

02:29HE CONTINUES SINGING

02:32The experience at the Royal National College...

02:35..took me from a shy, timid boy...

02:38..to a confident young man...

02:41..who was willing to give up anything to go.

02:49For two and a half years now...

02:51..I've been working at Pritchard Jones Lane...

02:55..which is located in Gynarfon ar y Maes.

02:58I work as a receptionist.

03:00In addition to that, I'm a telephone operator...

03:03..and I book points in.

03:05Right now, he's a member of the Pritchard Jones Lane community.

03:12He's also made friends here...

03:16..in partnership with the staff.

03:20I think that's been very helpful for Phil.

03:24It's a pleasure to be involved with him.

03:28I started playing snooker...

03:30..and I went with World Disability Billiards in snooker...

03:34..which gives people with disabilities the chance...

03:38..to compete in competitions across the country...

03:41..across Britain and across Europe.

03:43Right now, I'm playing pool in the gym in Gynarfon.

03:48I also sing on public weekends.

03:52I sing in groups in local theatres...

03:55..because I've learnt to play the guitar.

04:03I sing in Welsh songs.

04:05I sing covers by bands and Welsh bloggers.

04:16Learning to play the guitar has been a long process.

04:20It's a difficult process.

04:22It's impossible to live without music.

04:26I learn it by ear.

04:28It's all about muscle memory.

04:30It's like you're an automatic button.

04:33It just happens.

04:35When I pick up a guitar, it comes straight to me.

04:40The person who has the most influence on me...

04:43..is, in my opinion, no-one other than Elidir Glyn.

04:48She was my nanny in primary school.

04:52The band is all very supportive.

04:55They're not as supportive as Elidir.

04:58They all take me in from a distance.

05:02They put me in a position to start gigging on public weekends.

05:10I've had tattoos on my name and the band's logo.

05:14The support I've had from the community...

05:17..has helped me a lot in terms of confidence.

05:20It's given me the ability to be a normal person.

05:23So...

05:25..that's enough of space.

05:27I want more space.

05:29Working with Phil and being part of his development...

05:33..from a young swill hockey player...

05:36..to the confident man he is now.

05:39It's been a pleasure.

05:42It's been an honour to learn new skills...

05:46..and to have a great influence on children and young people...

05:52..on how to live with the environment.

05:56They've helped me to have more personal independence.

06:02I'd like to thank Steve, Dafydd and the crew.

06:07Before, I was a swill person.

06:09I didn't do a lot with a lot of people around me.

06:12I kept to myself.

06:14Now, I live my life as excitingly as possible.

06:19I thank the community.

06:21Without them, I wouldn't be the person I am today.

06:26I like Phil and I like anyone who has a problem with their hair.

06:30The Welsh Hockey Association is here to help at all times.

06:34Whether it's a big or small problem.

06:37I can contact them by calling 325 St Fawr Bangor...

06:43..or by phoning 01248 353 604.

06:49Thanks again, Phil.

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