User:Cs2wsblindphoto

Chris Swinton is the UK and World's only BLIND motorcycle racing photographer and has been trackside around the country since being registered blind in 2015 and subsequently picking up a camera for the first time during that years Tourist Trophy (T.T)  on the Isle of Man where he also married his partner Kerry. He lives in Stockport England with Kerry, their twin son's Cassian and Dexter and their 3 dogs.

You can find out more about Chris and his rather unusual story by visiting his website www.cs2wsblindphoto.co.uk and his Facebook page Chris Swinton 2W's Blind Photography Chris is a published photographer with his work featured regularly both online and in hard copy by racing publication UK Clubsport

In 2020 Chris will be aiming to become the first blind photographer to gain equal rights and be permitted to shoot from the "professional" side of the safety fences as he now meets all the necessary criteria currently required by the Auto-cycle Union and red tape allowing he will take on the sighted 'togs' on an equal and level playing field as is the right of everyone.

HOW IT ALL BEGAN.

I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes in 1986 at the age of 16 and like many teenagers I didn't accept the diagnosis nor did I stick to the minimal advise I was given by the doctors at the time and instead continued to grow up and do the same things that everyone else was doing, a habit I didn't really grow out of until I was well into my mid 30's! A simple check for Diabetic Retinopathy alerted my new doctors to a serious problem in the back of my eyes and despite everyone's best efforts and some amazing eye surgery at Stepping Hill Hospital I was handed over to Professor Stanga and Mr Ho at the Royal Manchester Eye Hospital and the final battle to save my sight began.

Despite the very best efforts of some amazing people the damage was too severe and couldn't be stopped despite countless attempts and operations and in 2015 I found myself in Mr Ho's office being told what I already knew, I was officially blind. Staring out of the office window, purely for dramatic effect. I was thinking to myself ok, now what?.

Fast forward a few months and I'm wedged into a bush just outside Milntown on the Isle of Man as New Zealand fan favourite Bruce Anstey barrels towards me on his Superbike at close to 170MPH, my finger hovers over the shutter release button as the sound of the engine rolls around the trees that line the road and I try to control my breathing, I'm ready. www.cs2wsblindphoto.co.uk

Needless to say things don't go well and I miss Bruce and almost every other bike that screams past me but I am utterly hooked and the story begins...…..

I can now be found at various UK circuits as well as at as many road racing events as time allows and you will find me at Oulton Park, Donington, Anglesey, Darley Moor, 3 Sisters, Aintree and the Isle of Man and covering championships including Thundersport GB, British Superbikes, No Limits, Wirral 100, P.D.M.C.C and anything else I can fit in.