A BLIND activist has made a big breakthrough in her bid to raise public awareness of visual impairment.

Greenock woman Claire Forde, who is a member of the Scottish Youth Parliament (SYP), lost her sight as a teenager and since then she has been working hard to help others in the same plight.

She suffered bilateral optic nerve atrophy six years ago, which left her severely partially sighted, and now campaigns tirelessly to highlight issues facing people like her.

Claire has just had a motion passed by the youth parliament which is aimed at increasing public awareness of sight loss.

The first action point from the successful motion is to lobby all MSPs about the issue and Claire also hopes to contact workplaces across the country to arrange guest talks on visual impairment.

She said: "I’ve always been passionate about sharing my story and I’d like others to do the same because the things I struggle with won’t be the same as what someone else with a visual impairment may struggle with.

"I’d also like MSPs to sign a pledge on the topic - Stuart McMillan my local MSP is already very involved in issues relating to visual impairment.

"I know that the topic is close to his heart and I want to approach him about taking part.”

Claire, 24, wants all workplaces to be given mandatory information about sight loss.

Her passionate account of her personal experiences meant almost all members of the parliament backed her plea.

Claire, 24, said: "I'm absolutely delighted that it has been passed and is now Scottish Youth Parliament policy.

"I am so thankful for the support of my fellow MSYPs and now the work begins in spreading the message.

"I’ve always been vocal about raising awareness of sight loss in general, because if you don’t raise awareness you can’t do anything else - and I want to try to make a difference.

"I’ve been aware that people’s perception of visual impairment and lack of awareness of how to approach someone with sight loss can have a big impact on your ability to live independently.

"I thought I needed to do something about this.

“Not everyone who is blind or partially sighted struggles, but there are days when I can feel anxious or frustrated because of my sight loss.

"Even the most independent people on the planet need support at some point and this is the point of my motion.”

Claire was supposed to deliver the motion at a sitting within Holyrood however as a result of COVID-19 it was instead passed after a virtual vote.

She said: "It's going to be difficult to get everything going as at the moment I can't actually talk to people face to face due to the virus.

"But I still plan to carry out all the actions that relate to my campaign."

The Tele reported recently on Claire after she won a title at the Inverclyde Inspiration Awards for her work as a MSYP.

Claire added: "It's all been very surreal.

"This means a lot to me as it is a very personal thing and something I've been hoping to do for a long time.

"My family are really proud."

Around 3,500 children and young people in Scotland currently live with significant sight loss and James Adams, director of RNIB Scotland, has praised Claire's efforts to help them.

He said: “Claire's resilience and motivation is a great example for any young person.

"She has been the driving force in putting forward a motion that will highlight not only the needs of blind and partially sighted people but their abilities as well."