Dave Steele is an award-winning poet, author, public speaker, singer, and advocate for the blind. Diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) in 2014, this genetic eye condition left Dave “severely sight impaired.” Together his wife, Amy, the family grappled with the difficult diagnosis as RP quickly left Steele an unemployed father of four. Feeling the stressors of financial debt and the loss of his independence, Dave turned to social media for support with his RP journey. He was also struck by the numerous misconceptions and stories of injustice being experienced by so many blind/visually impaired people all over the world. When a member in one of these online groups learned of Dave’s singing background, they invited him to perform at a meeting for those living with RP and Usher Syndrome. The experience inspired Steel’s idea for his “Stand By Me RP” song. Using the classic song by Ben E. King, Dave altered the lyrics to relate to how he felt losing his own sight to Retinitis Pigmentosa. In December 2014, Dave sought permission from the band Elbow, to alter the lyrics of their song “One Day Like This.” With the band’s blessing, Steele performed his version of the song at Joanne Milne’s “Breaking the Silence” book launch.

Don’t worry about tomorrow

For sight you’re yet to lose

Don’t waste the opportunity

to live the life you choose

Though there are limitations

and challenges each day

You’ll overcome each obstacle each thing put in your way

I know some days are harder

than other ones to face

You’re not alone

don’t stay at home

This world is still your place

Today will be amazing

Just grab your cane and go

Use every tear and anxious fear to push you on and grow

It’s up to you to show them

these misconceptions wrong

Just because we are disabled doesn’t mean that we’re not strong

Just because you say you’re blind

it doesn’t mean that you can’t see

Just because I’ve got anxiety doesn’t mean that I’m not me

Just because I’m smiling

doesn’t mean I don’t get sad

Just because I cry sometimes doesn’t mean this life’s so bad

Just because I talk to you doesn’t mean that I’m not quiet

Just because I struggle

doesn’t mean that I won’t try it

Just because the sights I love

I see through tunnelled view

Just because I worry that my kids are 1 in 2

Just because I wish that doctors soon will find a cure

Just because tomorrow is a future still unsure

Just because the last of 5 degrees

will soon be gone

Just because you doubted me

I’ll always carry on

Just because I wish sometimes that I was how I was

Just because I’ll love my life with sight loss

just because

#TheBlindPoet

More about Dave, The Blind Poet

Dave created his own “Stand By Me RP” Facebook page in 2015. Since its conception, the page has become one of the largest social media RP groups in the world. As his eyesight continued to decline, the words did not stop flowing. Dave began writing two to three poems per day about his struggles and experiences. Part creative genius, part therapy, Dave’s writing became a catalyst for helping others and himself through RP.

Steele’s first book, Stand By Me RP Volume I, was released in February 2016. That same day, he received the call that he had been matched with a guide dog. During its first week, Stand By Me RP Volume I, went on to become the #1 poetic release in both America and Australia.

In March of 2016, Dave left his family for 10 days to be trained with his guide dog, Christopher, a yellow Labrador retriever. He released his second book, Stand By Me RP Volume II, in February 2017. It became the #1 poetry release in Europe within its first day. In February 2018, Steele’s third book, Stand By Me RP Volume III was released, completing his trilogy.
Dave has been featured in a short film by Cambridge university called Blindsighted. He has also appeared on a special called the Blind Poet for RNIB radio, BBC TV, ITV and That’s Manchester TV news.
His advocacy work continues to be recognized both locally and internationally. In 2018 Dave was honored by Henshaws with the “Impact Award” and was the recipient of the Pride of Bury “Community Hero Award.” He currently serves as a local ambassador for Henshaws and as a global Ambassador for the American company, Two Blind Brothers.
In November 2019, Steele landed in the USA to kickoff his first American Book Tour sponsored by Low Vision Specialists of Maryland & Virginia and The Low Vision Shop. The three week tour included a wide variety of speaking engagements (keynote speeches, book readings/signings, meetings, and more) and visited major cities throughout the Northeast. Dave’s presence uplifted the crowd throughout every step of the journey. Some of the book tour visits included  the New York Public Library, Rhode Island College, Blind Industries and Services of Maryland (BISM), National Federation of The Blind Maryland Conference, Maryland Department of Rehabilitation Services Conference, The Sight-Loss Support Group of Greater Baltimore, VisionCorps, and much more.

Dave’s legion of followers greatly identifies with his poetic realism. With over 700 poems and songs dealing with the fears and struggles associated with sight loss, Steele’s work is helping to diminish many of the misconceptions associated with blindness. His mission through his poetic verse is “to help those who are being isolated by a condition that strips us of our independence, let them know that they aren’t alone, and help educate loved ones on how we feel.”

Follow Dave on his website and on social media;

Website www.theblindpoet.net / https://theblindpoet.net/about-dave-steele/

Facebook: stand by me RP awareness page 

Twitter: @BlindPoetRP

Instagram: The Blind Poet Dave Steele

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