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Sight Loss Drove Liverpool Man to Sobriety and Sport as He Launches Goalball Charity

A diagnosis of Leber hereditary optic neuropathy shifted his trajectory from addiction to a structured recovery.

Overview

  • Ray Clements, 53, was diagnosed with the rare eye condition LHON after sudden vision loss and is now registered blind.
  • He has remained clean since February 17, 2022, following a brief relapse, after previously drinking two to four litres of vodka a day and using cocaine.
  • He competes for Great Britain in blind baseball, earning bronze and silver medals and becoming the only Englishman reported to hit a home run in the sport.
  • He is launching Finding the Solution, a sight-loss non-profit aiming to bring goalball into mainstream schools.
  • His guide dog, Garson, supports his daily independence, and the charity Guide Dogs is urging volunteers to help create more partnerships like theirs.