Ray Hazan

63 year old Ray Hazan learned of St Dunstan’s - the organisation providing an independent future for blind ex-Service men and women - after being blinded in 1973 by an IRA parcel bomb in Northern Ireland. His colleague was killed by the blast in which Ray also suffered severe hearing loss and lost his right hand. He is now one of the longest serving members of St Dunstan’s staff, having been made President in 2004.

Ray was born in Prestbury, Cheshire in 1945. Following a life-long passion to join the army, Ray went straight from Charterhouse school to the RMA Sandhurst and was commissioned into the Royal Anglian Regiment in June 1965. There followed eight very happy years of service in Cyprus, Northamptonshire, Malaya, Kenya, Gibraltar and two tours in Northern Ireland.

Soon after losing his sight, Ray was put in touch with St Dunstan’s, which marked the beginning of an inspirational journey.  Ray says ‘When I lost my sight, I felt helpless, I was unable to do many of the every day things I’d taken for granted with sight. I was visited by a member of the St Dunstan’s team, who gave me a tactile watch and taught me to tell the time through touch. It was this practical support which for the first time made me realise I could regain independence – it was something to live for. I still remember my first day at St Dunstan’s, I heard the chatter and laughter of other St Dunstaners, the positive attitude of those I met made me realise that blindness was not so bad and that I could go on to lead a fulfilling life just as they had. I went through an intensive rehabilitation programme which meant St Dunstan’s specialist staff worked with me to set goals based on what I wanted to achieve. The environment of emotional support and encouragement helped me to progress quickly and each day I learned a new skill or technique, helping me to become more independent. With the help of St Dunstan’s, I learned to touch type and was able to fulfill my goal to return to work and support my family.’

After undergoing bespoke training and rehabilitation with St Dunstan’s, Ray spent two years at the International School of Interpreting in Mons, Belgium.  He was the subject of a BBC TV documentary in 1974, which charted the progress of his rehabilitation. 
 
In 1977 Ray joined the staff of St Dunstan's. He first worked in public relations and then the welfare team for the organisation. He went on to be elected as a member of St Dunstan's Council in October 1998 and President of St Dunstan's in October 2004. Ray is also St Dunstan’s Services Manger and Editor of the Review, a monthly publication for St Dunstaners (beneficiaries). In October 2006, after 9 years as President, he was elected Vice President of the International Congress of War Blind Organisations, a position he still holds.

As President, Ray regularly gives talks to new St Dunstaners still coming to terms with blindness. Through this and one to one contact with many St Dunstaners he is able to offer the support and camaraderie he so valued when first a St Dunstaner. Although he would not admit it himself, many St Dunstaners look to him as an example of what can be achieved and he is an inspiration to them.