Claire Bowes
At the age of 15, Claire was like anyone else her age. She liked going out with her friends and was very interested in music. On the 15th August 1998 all that changed when Claire lost her sight in the Omagh bomb.
Claire turned down the opportunity to attend a specialist school and returned to school where she completed GCSEs, studied A-levels and went on to Queen’s University where she graduated with a BA in music and combined studies. Because of her disability she had to learn new ways of doing everything including using assistive technology.
Upon leaving university, she found it difficult to get a job so on the advice of her piano teacher, she attended a course at the Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB), exploring music with children. Here she met the Eye Clinic Liaison Officer (ECLO), a service which offers support and advice to people with sight-loss.
Claire then began volunteering for the RNIB. After training and a desire to help individuals with sight problems, Claire successfully trained to be a professional Eye Clinic Liaison Officer.