Focus Story

When Juan Greggor first arrived at the Royal National College for the Blind, he was already learning how to live independently. But what RNC gave him was something more nuanced: freedom with reassurance close at hand. In the residential setting, support was always available when needed—whether that meant help cleaning up broken glass or finding keys that had skittered out of reach. It was independence, yes, but never isolation.

For Juan, RNC wasn’t just about learning daily living skills. It was about finally being able to access education on an equal footing. In that environment, doors began to open—doors that would ultimately lead him far beyond the college grounds.

One constant presence throughout that journey was Angel, his guide dog. Together, they attended countless lectures, first at RNC and later through two university degrees. By the time Juan stood in Preston to accept his Master’s degree in Integrative Psychotherapy from the University of Central Lancashire, Angel had earned her place beside him. Wearing a tiny graduation gown of her own, she stood proudly at his feet, a quiet symbol of their shared perseverance.

Juan’s path was shaped deeply by the people he met along the way, none more so than Roberta Hardman, the RNC counsellor who inspired him to pursue psychotherapy. Working with her helped Juan better understand himself, and ignited his desire to support others. He came to believe that disabled people and those with chronic health conditions often carry an added mental health burden—not because of who they are, but because the world around them is rarely built with them in mind. Support, he learned, is not a luxury, but a necessity.

Living at RNC proved to be the perfect bridge to university life. It prepared him not just academically, but socially too. There was time to explore, to travel, and to try new activities—including tank driving, trips abroad, and horse riding. Riding soon became more than a hobby. Juan competed in the Riding for the Disabled Association National Championships with Hereford RDA and, years later, still rides weekly. The rhythm and movement help manage his physical health conditions and remain a grounding part of his life.

Armed with his RNC qualifications, Juan secured a place at UCLan, where he completed a BA (Hons) in Counselling and Psychotherapy Studies, graduating with First-Class Honours in 2018. He went on to complete his professional psychotherapy training, undertaking over 100 hours of placement in hospices across Lancashire. Even during the upheaval of the pandemic, when he returned to the Isle of Man, he continued his work—supporting patients through both St Catherine’s Hospice and Hospice Isle of Man.

University life brought its own challenges, but also remarkable support. UCLan took practical steps to make Juan’s experience genuinely inclusive, from installing a zebra crossing outside his halls to prevent blocked pathways, to providing highly accessible digital library services. Dedicated facilities for guide dogs were carefully maintained, helping reduce daily stress and allowing Juan to focus on his studies.

Today, Juan works part-time as a counsellor on the Isle of Man, having built a career rooted in empathy, resilience, and lived experience. Looking back, the seeds of that success were planted at RNC—where education felt possible, support felt human, and the path forward first came into view.