Going out for a walk with your son is a simple task for most fathers - and something many may take for granted.
But for Martin Ralfe and his one-year-old boy Leo, it can be a real challenge.
That's because Martin is blind and Leo is also visually impaired, meaning they have to thoroughly plan every trip they take outside of their home in St Helens, Merseyside.
The 29-year-old parent refuses to let his lack of sight stop him from hanging out with his son and going exploring.
The pair have shared their special bond on TikTok and gone viral after showing how they go out for the day, with help from Martin's guide dog Diesel.
The dad has gained thousands of followers on his account and is using it to educate other people on visual impairment, showing that it doesn't impact his relationship with his family.
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Martin says his wife, Samantha, 31, was the one that encouraged him to take his son out but neither of them expected a big reaction to the clips they posted online. The dad has since been branded an "inspiration".
He admits he initially had some reservations about taking Leo out on his own but now he is confident and spends most weekend's exploring with his son and Diesel.
He said "Leo and I always spend our weekends together exploring the world together. It's so important Leo gets out to experience the world!
"It's all on Diesel and I have complete trust in my guide dog. I also heavily rely on muscle memory to be able to take myself and Leo on a walk.
"I would never decide to baby carry unless I've done the route myself at least a few times, even recently with the weather nettles have grown out further so I need to check for things like that.
"Other people are able to just get up and leave but we can't do that - there is so much planning that goes into something as simple as a walk - we have to make sure to check the weather, we need to make sure Diesel actually wants to go out and get water and snacks ready. Most importantly we take food to feed the ducks, as the scouts' mantra goes always be prepared!
"Then I need to make sure Leo is strapped in completely safe and secure. He's getting so big now that he actually doesn't fit in the front anymore so now he sits behind my shoulders facing forward."
He continued: "It was actually my wife Sam who encouraged me to start taking Leo out on walks like this. She is a chilled mum but equally incredibly supportive.
"At first I thought a pram would be safer for Leo but that is actually harder for someone who is blind so we went with the carrier. He is constantly smiling and laughing while he's in it.
"I can't lie I wasn't with it at first but now I feel so confident taking him out and I really enjoy it.
"Our favourite activities to do together include going for walks and when we do we love to feed the ducks - it's a must! However, we also love going out to explore on the train, especially to Sankey Valley Park.
"Currently on our bucket list is to visit the classic places like Disney Land but Leo is particularly interested in trains too so we'd love to go to the National Railway Museum in York."
Leo who is described as cheeky, adventurous and empathetic was diagnosed with cataracts at an early age - he has now had these removed and has since been diagnosed with nystagmus with the family waiting for further results.
"With Leo's diagnosis we're still waiting on further clarification - we don't really understand it ourselves yet either," admits Martin.
"Leo can definitely see colours and shapes, at the moment his glasses are magnified at like times 27 so that's definitely helping him more.
"Me and Leo are a little duo together and I definitely think because of my own diagnosis that I can give him the extra support he needs.
"I think that's because I understand what it's like and what he's going through. For example, a tantrum may not be a tantrum, he could be frustrated or upset because of eye pain.
"He's definitely learned so much already and I've learnt so much from him, plus people say we look alike - poor bugger!"
Martin's TikTok account @martinralfe now has thousands of followers and has a range of videos such as him walking Diesel and Leo, how to train and care for guide dogs, and many videos of him answering questions from his followers.
The videos of him and Leo out together always evoke a heartwarming reaction from his followers, as well as some hilarious comments.
He said "I literally just started this account for something to do during Covid like many others on TikTok.
"I mainly started it as a sort of day in the life of a blind man account but I also wanted it to be educational for my followers too. I used to do the same thing on Facebook but then moved it over to TikTok
"I love making these videos and I get so many amazing comments. Many people praise me but I'm just a normal dad getting on with life.
"Others comment saying how their child's dad doesn't even do the things I do, which do make me laugh!
"I mainly get a lot of questions which makes my account even more educational because my followers are constantly learning something new.
"Occasionally I do get the odd bad comment but I've now created a great community of followers who naturally step in to defend me."
Martin is also part of a podcast called the Blind Dad Diaries where he and another father discuss how they raised their parenting hacks.
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