Sylvia Chengo - Seen Exhibition Audio Description
Aug 27, 11:16 AM
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About Sylvia Chengo:
Sylvia Chengo is a digital content creator, storyteller, public speaker and mother who uses her platform to amplify underrepresented voices and redefine perceptions of blindness, parenthood and identity.
Experiencing life-changing sight loss shortly after the birth of her first child marked the beginning of a journey that transformed Sylvia’s personal and professional life. Today, she empowers others by sharing lived experiences through advocacy work and authentic online content – proving that visibility is not just about being seen, but about being heard. She is also a director at Beyond Strength CIC, a community interest company supporting families navigating disability and chronic illness.
Sylvia’s reflections on Seen
“This portrait was taken in Barking Park, a location rich with meaning. I grew up in Barking, and the park is steeped in personal memory. Now, it’s a regular destination for long walks with my children, a space where we laugh, connect and simply be. There’s something quietly powerful about revisiting the same paths I once walked as a child, now as a blind mother raising children of my own. The location captured not just a moment, but a full-circle story of resilience and belonging.
I hope visitors leave Seen with a deeper appreciation of the complexity, creativity and confidence that exists within the blind and partially sighted community. This exhibition doesn’t just challenge misconceptions – it invites people into our world. My hope is that it opens the door to collaboration, advocacy and new narratives, where lived experience is recognised not as a limitation, but as a source of innovation and strength.”
For more information about the exhibition and to view more portraits by Joshua Bratt please visit www.rnib.org.uk/seen
Image shows: A portrait of Sylvia Chengo with her daughter and son by Joshua Bratt.
Sylvia Chengo is a digital content creator, storyteller, public speaker and mother who uses her platform to amplify underrepresented voices and redefine perceptions of blindness, parenthood and identity.
Experiencing life-changing sight loss shortly after the birth of her first child marked the beginning of a journey that transformed Sylvia’s personal and professional life. Today, she empowers others by sharing lived experiences through advocacy work and authentic online content – proving that visibility is not just about being seen, but about being heard. She is also a director at Beyond Strength CIC, a community interest company supporting families navigating disability and chronic illness.
Sylvia’s reflections on Seen
“This portrait was taken in Barking Park, a location rich with meaning. I grew up in Barking, and the park is steeped in personal memory. Now, it’s a regular destination for long walks with my children, a space where we laugh, connect and simply be. There’s something quietly powerful about revisiting the same paths I once walked as a child, now as a blind mother raising children of my own. The location captured not just a moment, but a full-circle story of resilience and belonging.
I hope visitors leave Seen with a deeper appreciation of the complexity, creativity and confidence that exists within the blind and partially sighted community. This exhibition doesn’t just challenge misconceptions – it invites people into our world. My hope is that it opens the door to collaboration, advocacy and new narratives, where lived experience is recognised not as a limitation, but as a source of innovation and strength.”
For more information about the exhibition and to view more portraits by Joshua Bratt please visit www.rnib.org.uk/seen
Image shows: A portrait of Sylvia Chengo with her daughter and son by Joshua Bratt.