A Blind Insight

In this episode of A Blind Insight, Simon and Billy discuss the benefit system and Simon outlines his ideas for derailing the lay about express.   There is also some football chat, and Simon explains why Keir Starmer’s pledge to increase spending on security got him crying what in the name of sanity.       

In this episode Simon and Billy discuss Simon’s trip to Italy, including his impressions of Verona and visits to the Ferrari and Lamborghini museums. Also Simon shares an experience he had at work which highlights how although there is a lot of talk about being inclusive, all to often it doesn’t turn in to action.   Don’t forget you can share your thoughts on the comments page.

In this episode I talk about the latest apparent new idea to try and bring the immigration issue under control although it sounds like the same as the Rwanda idea to me.  Also the reason I believe the success of Reform in the local elections is refreshing and needed to end the arrogance of the two so called mane parties which is doing nothing to solve the countries problems.

In this episode we talk V.E day, take a look at some of the latest wacky developments in the world, and come back common sense returns!

To accompany the longer episodes of A Blind Insight, for his own therapy and hopefully your entertainment Simon will provide a weekly round up of the stories and events that have caught his attention.   You will then be asked to vote for which one of the stories gets what will hopefully become a prestigious what in the name of sanity! Award.

In this episode of A Blind Insight, Simon delves deeper in to the Governments plan to tackle the out of control welfare system. He explains how the system is being abused and highlights issues that haven’t even been mentioned, and why he fears that in the end it will be hard for anything to be changed as Governments have found before.

In this episode of A Blind Insight, Simon and Billy discuss the drawbacks of the seemingly unstoppable march towards a world where people answer to machines. Also as the Government outline their plan to stem the tide of the ever-increasing benefit bill, Simon shares how much getting your child diagnosed with a disability or health condition banks you, surely enough is enough?       

Ever wondered how Braille came about and how it works? Well it’s amazing what can be done with six dots and it now gets its own day each year.   To mark world Braille day, Simon tells the story of Louis Braille, how his invention was created but like a lot of great inventions nearly didn’t get off the ground.   Simon explains  the important part it played in his education, and why he believes even...

In this episode, Simon shares some of the highlights from his trip to Lanzarote, including discovering what Tommy Shelby is up to these days.     He and Billy discuss the good the bad and the madness of Christmas, pick out a couple of quotes from Christmas comedy episodes, and twelve days becomes twelve pains of Christmas.   Also what connects the fraises good news and thank God? Find out in what...

In this episode, Simon and Billy discuss the return of Donald Trump, the floods in Spain, and Simon explains why he still wants to visit places even though he can’t see the sights.   The issue given a grilling in come back common sense is the cancellation of remembrance day parades due to not being able to get insurance, while people take advantage of one of the freedoms that people died for and c...

In the wake of Liam Payne’s death, we discuss the risk versus the reward of fame at a young age, and ask do the people who put youngsters in the spotlight need to take more responsibility not just take a cut of the money.   Simon gives his assessment of how the countries finances are looking but don’t worry it will be more clear and quicker than the Chancellor’s version!   Finally what in the name...

In this episode of A Blind Insight Simon and Billy discuss the Paralympics and the admiration people have for the people taking part. However as Simon explains just being able to take part in sport at grassroot level is hard for disabled peopleunless they are lucky enough to get the support they need.   Also come back common-sense returns where the topic of conversation is politicians ludicrasly l...

In this episode of A Blind Insight, Simon talks about how even getting a taxi these days is getting almost as stressful as trying to catch a Bus or a Train. He also shares some examples of the crazy questions and conversations that Blind people have to put up with and it turns out he hasn’t heard them all before!    

In this episode of A Blind Insight, Simon and Billy discuss GB’s performance at the Olympics. There is also an extended come back common sense segment where they discuss the events of the last few weeks, and ask is social media becoming a serious weapon in the modern world?   

In this episode of A Blind Insight, Simon and Billy discuss England’s defeat to Spain in the final of Euro 2024. They also give their thoughts on who the next manager will be and what the approach will be looking ahead to the World cup in two years time. Also in Hilly and Billy’s Britain, the topics up for discussion are housing, and how do we change the attitude of the growing number of people wh...

In this episode of A Blind Insight, Simon and Billy are once again joined by Shona and continue discussing how things would be done in Hilly and Billy’s Britain. Simon also highlights the issues that the election has thrown up with the current first passed the post voting system, and explains why he thinks it needs to change to a proportional representation system. Simon and Billy also discuss Eng...

In this episode of A Blind Insight, there is inevitably some football chat about England and the Euros, and Simon and Billy give their thoughts on what needs to be done to help England, and what teams have impressed at the tournament so far.  On the home front with the election fast approaching they also discuss how things would be done in Hilly and Billy’s Britain, starting with the NHS and Socia...

In this episode of A Blind Insight, Simon talks to Richard Ashton from the Childhood Eye Canser trust about Retinoblastoma, what signs parents should be looking out for, the treatment available, how successful it is and what support is available to people who have had it. Also come back common-sense returns where Simon expresses his irritation over the actions of Ofcom, and asks are tv shows that...

In this episode of A Blind Insight, Simon tells the story of his charity walk from Wembley to West Bromwich in aid of the Albion Foundation. Billy talks about his own charity challenge, and Simon talks about World Retinoblastoma awareness week. Be one of the first to know when a new episode of A Blind Insight is published by subscribing to the podcast.

In this episode of A Blind Insight, Simon and Billy discuss a range of topics ranging from how does being Blind compare with being Def, West Bromwich Albion’s play-off and promotion prospects, and the dying art of commentating. Simon also gives his view on the response from charities representing disabled people to the Governments plan to crack down on the sick note culture that has taken over soc...

In this episode, Simon and Billy discuss the importance of Eye contact and body language, and how much are blind people missing out on because they can’t make Eye contact or see how people react physically. We also hear about Simon’s walk from Wembley to West Bromwich to raise money for the Albion Foundation, a baffling arrival in the post, and Simon’s thoughts on what needs to be done to help pre...

In this episode, Simon and Billy discuss some concerning statistics from You Gov regarding the number of Blind and Partially sighted people in and out of work. Also the lack of understanding of what support is available to employers to pay for adjustments, and even out right refusal by some to employ a blind or partially sighted person. Simon explains why in his view the current disability confide...

In this episode Simon discusses the ups and downs of his working life in more detail, and the affect being forced out of his job has had on his mental health. He introduces a new segment called insane stories where he tells the story of a crazy phone call he overheard when working for the Police, and he asks for common sense to return when it comes to Technology being preferred to humans.     

In the first episode of A Blind Insight, Simon Hill and Billy Spakemon discuss Simon losing his sight at the age of four, and his experience of both a mainstream and Blind boarding school. Also how not wanting to go to University left him without much support finding a job and how he could have been an Albion or Villa fan but Albion won the battle.