15 June 2026

Gary O’Donoghue was a recent castaway on Desert Island Discs. He is a well kent face in our household as we tend to watch the BBC News and O’Donoghue is a regular correspondent from America. He is skilled at his job. He doesn’t waste a word. His analysis is incisive. His presentation understated.

Of course, it isn’t long before you realise that he is blind. When he was born, one of his eyes hadn’t formed properly. He had some sight in the other. This was damaged when he fell off his bike as a child. By the time he was eight years old, he was blind.

Later on in his life, his mother told him that when his diagnosis was given, she was in despair and was tempted to kill them both. Rather than be shocked by this confession, he was touched that she had the courage to trust him with this devastating news.

He had several setbacks in the BBC. On one occasion, he wasn’t allowed to report a major scoop because of his blindness. However, he persevered and has carved out an extraordinary career.  He made two interesting observations about blind reporters.

Firstly, journalism can be a good fit for blind people because, as he says, ‘You have to learn to listen.’ Without sight, hearing becomes ever more important. Listening is at the heart of pastoral care and it’s only through this discipline that people feel free to share their concerns.

Secondly, he argued that knocking on doors for interviews was easier when you are blind. ‘lt’s harder to shut the door in the face of a blind bloke.’ he says. An apparent disadvantage turns out to be beneficial. God chooses the weak to shame the strong, as St. Paul says whose thorn in the flesh deepened his experience of grace.