Sophie Ellis-Bextor visits Ukraine with Lumos

23.05.2018

Lumos Ambassador, Sophie Ellis-Bextor was left heartbroken after meeting disabled children in Ukrainian orphanages, and shocked to meet others who had been separated from their family due to poverty and poor eyesight.

Sophie visited an orphanage in Ukraine for children with visual impairment and was surprised to meet children as young as six living in an institution because they wear glasses. These children are classed as having special educational needs and are unable to go to mainstream schools, so their parents are forced to send them to special institutions, far away from their families.

As a mother I can’t imagine having to choose whether to keep my child at home or send them away for an education simply because they have to wear glasses.

Sophie