BLIND DAVE'S BLOG

13-09-2006

Celebrated Black Country marathon runner Blind Dave Heeley from West Bromwich is one of the great treasures of the West Midlands, and he'll be updating readers of The Stirrer with a weekly blog as he builds up to the New York marathon in November.

I would like to thank our illustrious editor for allowing me to have a little say on the web site, but although I thank him for his kind words and compliments, my wife Debb says she can think of some other words to describe me.

So can I introduce myself? I'm Dave Heeley, 39 and 120 months, I am blind and commonly known as “Blind Dave”, I am married with three lovely daughters, along with a smashing wife, Debbs,commonly known as the Boss, who keeps me on the straight and narrow.

I have many hobbies, wood working being a favourite and I enjoy making all sorts of things from children's furniture, stools, chairs, tables, wardrobes, I find it very relaxing.

Listening to a good book is something I get pleasure from too - the ultimate in reading the idle way. I enjoy my sport and also good music, plus a pint or two, but since being made redundant some years ago I devote the majority of my time to raising awareness and funds for Guide Dogs for the Blind; it's my way of thanking them for how they have changed my life and Wicksie my new dog is proof of that.

One of the most effective ways of fund raising is through my running, I have completed five London marathons, with many, many half marathons under my belt, including the prestigious Great North run, which is coming up again on 1st October, I find it truly amazing how many people are prepared to sponsor me and I am now training with my running guide Mad Mac, (Un Moaning! I'll tell you more another time) for the New York marathon in November.

I hope over the coming weeks and months to write a little of my training methods and other crazy things I get up to, in short let you know my perspective on life as a blind person, in a very light hearted way, no politics, or religion just the fun side of life, I live a very similar life to sighted folk, although perhaps you wouldn't want to see me driving in the fast lane of the M6!

I get all the questions wrong in the local pub quiz, but that's because I'm a bloke, Debb keeps telling me. Anyway, "hello" - lets hopefully have some fun, ask the questions you've always been afraid to ask and if it's �How do you know what colour socks you've got on�, well that's easy - I only buy black ones. So here's till the next time, Blind Dave signing off.