Wiltshire grandfather gains MA despite losing most of his eyesight

Former journalist Paul Deal, of Bradford Road, Winsley, left school with just four O-Levels but wanted to study in retirement.

He was halfway through his MA studies at the University of Bristol when an infection in his right eye left him with around 20 per cent vision and not much more in his left eye.

Mr Deal was forced to defer his studies for a year and made frequent visits to Bristol Eye Hospital to undergo laser eye surgery.

Former journalist Paul Deal has graduated from the University of Bristol with a MA Histrory degree despite losing much of his eyesight. (Image: University of Bristol)

He first began noticing that his sight was deteriorating whilst out walking with his dog. Thinking nothing of it, he considered ringing an optician for advice

But by 2am the next morning, he was rushed into operating theatre where an eye surgeon sought to halt an infection that was rapidly travelling through his right eye.

The father of three, who met his wife Diana, while working as chief sub-editor on the Swindon Advertiser from 1976-78, said: "It was a traumatic time.

"After another operation the next day, I was told I might not get my sight back. I thought 'what am I going to do about my MA now?

Determined to graduate, Mr Deal deferred the MA for a year and explored assistive technology to aid his reading after finding it difficult to use a magnifying lens.

Laser eye surgery on his left eye returned some of Paul’s sight but still unable to drive, he would take two trains and a bus to get to university.

Despite this, he struggled on and finished his mammoth 15,000-word dissertation on Bristol's Society of Merchant Venturers, to complete his degree.

Paul Deal in 1984 when he was editor of the Bedfordshire Times Series (Image: Paul Deal)

Mr Deal said he was "very proud" to be graduating and hopes to inspire other retired people to pursue further and higher education.

During his 40-year career as a journalist, he worked in several news outlets including editing the Bath Evening Chronicle and the Northamptonshire Evening Telegraph.

He spent 15 years at the BBC in London, producing national news bulletins, and later worked as a communications officer for Wiltshire Police before retiring in 2018.

"I'd always loved the idea of going back to education. Growing up in east London and Essex I never thought I'd go to university - never," said Mr Deal.

"None of my family had gone and I was just completely focused on becoming a journalist."

After retiring, he enrolled on a University of Bristol history short course, which aims to help mature students like Paul progress to a full degree.

Paul has a particular interest in the English Civil Wars, Irish history and Bristol’s role in the trans-Atlantic slave trade.

Now Mr Deal has graduated against all odds in front of his wife Diana and youngest daughter, Rebecca.

"It's been a heck of a time and I'm very proud to be graduating," he said. "I've been looking forward to this day immensely.

"I wondered how I'd cope at university and it was hard at times. However, I learnt that, even at prestigious institutions like Bristol, you are made welcome by students and teachers, no matter if you are older.

"I would love to think that someone who has stopped working might see my story and consider becoming a student," he added.

Dr Amy Edwards, Mr Deal's personal tutor, said: "Working with students like Paul, who are engaged and eager to learn, is a joy.

"He not only took on the usual challenges that a History MA poses, but also a number of others that none of us could have expected."