Hello, everyone. My name is Lianne McKeon
I’m registered blind. I have a little bit of sight in my left eye which means that I can see close up. I was registered blind in 1987.
I also have mild Cerebral Palsy and Hypopiterism.
I went to a mainstream nursery, however, because of my walking issues, I went to a special school called George Auden, then I went on to a special secondary school at 11 called Priestly Smith. They were both day schools. Then I went on to a residential college called the Royal National College for the Blind. I studied GNVQ Intermediate business studies; Clait IT; NVQ Level 2 Customer Services; and GCSE Maths where I obtained a grade C. It was my first time away from home. My family moved to Harborne hoping that I would go to the Queen Alexandra College.
I moved to Belfast for a few years and studied GCSE English. I achieved grade C. The College I attended was a mainstream college. I had one-to-one support which I enjoyed having the experience of being in a mainstream college. I am hoping to go back into education and do other qualifications.
When I came back to Birmingham, I went to help out at our family run business called Residential Lettings for about 3 years. Then I moved to Tamworth to live with my partner. I volunteered at Mercian Ability Partnership, and as a classroom assistant at care first to a friend in art.
I’ve been a member of The VIP Lounge for nearly 2 years. I was approached prior to me joining but didn’t want to join at the time as I didn’t know much about The VIP Lounge, so I did my own research. When I joined, I knew a few friends who had recently joined.
I now work as a presenter on the radio, run a group called VIP Lounge Local Eyes. We are looking to set up Local Eyes groups in different areas. We currently have Local Eyes Birmingham and Local Eyes Durham. I also help out with welfare with the lounge members.
I have recently been asked if I’d like to become Assistant Head of Administration alongside Hazel.