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Deaf-blind grandfather scales highest mountain in the UK - Scotsman.com News
AN intrepid grandfather has become the first deaf and blind man to scale the UK's highest mountain.
Brave Michael Anderson, 70, cannot venture to the supermarket alone, but the pioneering pensioner managed to "feel" his way to the top of Ben Nevis.
Mr Anderson completed his epic 4,400ft climb in 17 hours and 37 minutes and relaxed at the summit as his helpers described the scenery to him.
Speaking through a special communication device, Mr Anderson, who was born almost completely deaf, and became registered blind at the age of 33, said: "I was very relieved to sit down in the car at the end and say 'that's it done', but it wasn't that bad.
"You have to feel to keep your balance and be careful of embedded rocks on the pathways, but there was always someone saying 'There's something in front of you, Michael, go to your left, go to your right'. It's important to remember that just because you can't see and hear it doesn't mean you can't do things."
Mr Anderson, a grandfather-of-three, was born partially sighted with a genetic condition called retinitis pigmentosa, which means there is damage to the retina. He has always been night blind but using glasses was able to work as a statistician at Edinburgh University until 1977, when he eventually lost his sight completely.
He lives with his youngest son Iain, 29, who helps him with day-to-day living.
AN intrepid grandfather has become the first deaf and blind man to scale the UK's highest mountain.
Brave Michael Anderson, 70, cannot venture to the supermarket alone, but the pioneering pensioner managed to "feel" his way to the top of Ben Nevis.
Mr Anderson completed his epic 4,400ft climb in 17 hours and 37 minutes and relaxed at the summit as his helpers described the scenery to him.
Speaking through a special communication device, Mr Anderson, who was born almost completely deaf, and became registered blind at the age of 33, said: "I was very relieved to sit down in the car at the end and say 'that's it done', but it wasn't that bad.
"You have to feel to keep your balance and be careful of embedded rocks on the pathways, but there was always someone saying 'There's something in front of you, Michael, go to your left, go to your right'. It's important to remember that just because you can't see and hear it doesn't mean you can't do things."
Mr Anderson, a grandfather-of-three, was born partially sighted with a genetic condition called retinitis pigmentosa, which means there is damage to the retina. He has always been night blind but using glasses was able to work as a statistician at Edinburgh University until 1977, when he eventually lost his sight completely.
He lives with his youngest son Iain, 29, who helps him with day-to-day living.