On the run and under pressure
Imagine, if you can, evading capture from an elite team of hunters for 21 days when you’re blind! Ste and his co-fugitive, Chris, did just that in the new series of Hunted (Channel 4) which starts on Sunday 12 October.
Ste is living with X-linked RP. He was diagnosed at a very early age and not wanting him to have any limiting beliefs, his parents didn’t tell him until he started to develop symptoms in his late teens. He has been a cane user since his mid-20s and currently has under 10% of remaining vision.
The pair have been friends for many years and have undertaken some incredible adventures together. Ste told us “Chris has a proven track record of guiding me, climbing through jungles in Thailand, partying in Ibiza, paddling across Norwegian fjords, running marathons.”
Chris describes the best thing about being on the show as “the absolute challenge that it brings. It’s not every day that you get to immerse yourself in this life of being homeless, on the run, under pressure and not knowing where you’re going to rest your head that night. We were totally stripped back and there was something pretty delightful about having to rely on people to help you through every single day, Even something as basic as having somewhere to rest your head at the end of the night.”
They were both particularly touched by the kindness of strangers. Ste said “We met some outstanding people who we will try to get back in touch with and thank. Members of the public that we’ve never met or spoken to before really came through for us and made a massive difference to our time on the run.”
What’s next? Well a nice relaxing weekend in Tenerife for a start. The next adventure, well, that’s a decision for another day.
You can watch Hunted on Channel 4 starting at 9.00pm on Sunday 12 October.
Follow Ste’s progress on Instagram @the_vi_guy.