An Edinburgh veteran who had to take medical retirement after being "robbed" of his eyesight due to suffering a stroke says the help of a local charity is helping him reclaim himself.
Stephen Jennings, 61, was struck by a stoke two years ago, impacting the left side of his vision and eventually led to a medical retirement.
Stephen said he was battling anxiety and depression after being unable to go out and act independently.
After serving in the territorial army for nine years, Stephen had various civilian jobs including warehouse and construction roles before he qualified in social work.
As a social work practitioner supporting blind and partially sighted people when the stroke hit, he was devastated to stop working in a job he loved.
Stephen, who with the help of Sight Scotland Veterans has regained some confidence, said: "After my stroke I woke up in hospital after four days. I didn’t have a clue what was going on.
"I was scared because I started walking into doors. It’s so weird because I know there’s something there, but I can’t see it. With sight loss you’ve got to get over that fear, because it is scary.
"Being medically retired was a shock. I was upset and I didn’t know what to do. I’d worked all my life. People can’t tell that I’ve had a stroke, but I can’t see anybody come up to me, or I don’t recognise people. I did get anxiety. I felt robbed, thinking ‘why me?’
"But I had fantastic support from Lorna at Edinburgh Community Stroke Service and their team did so much for me in my rehabilitation after the stroke. Lorna linked me in with Sight Scotland Veterans for support with mobility."
Stephen is now receiving long cane training from Sight Scotland Veterans' rehabilitation team to support him adapt to life with sight loss.
He added: "I was very depressed and I was in a dark place, but all of this support has given me back my personality again. My self-esteem has gone back up.
"I’m reclaiming myself now. What I took for granted was things like just walking up the road to go to the pub. But when I’ve done more of my long cane training, I’ll be able to do these things again. I can’t wait."
Stephen is now encouraging other veterans with sight loss in Edinburgh and the Lothians to reach out to Sight Scotland Veterans for support.
"My sight loss is a big wrench for me. But I’ve got to see the positive side. It’s made me very aware and determined to help people and talk to them about living with sight loss," Stephen concluded.
