Chris Fisher

Chris Fisher is an inspirational individual, best known by the nickname 'The Blind Woodturner'. A sufferer of Toxoplasmosis, Chris lost his sight over eleven years ago. Chris has never let such adversity hinder him, he has learned to overcome all obstacles that his sight loss has caused. Due to such a life-changing condition, Chris had to teach himself to complete basic tasks once again. From making dinner to brushing his teeth, Chris had to learn to navigate the world without the use of his eyes.

Unfortunately due to his sight loss, Chris developed severe anxiety, muscle spasms and hallucinations. However, Chris decided not to give up, later taking up woodturning as a way of escapism from the challenges of life. He set himself the challenge of making a vampire stake, an impressive feat for a man with no vision. With everyday posing new challenges, Chris uses those challenges to fuel his passion to succeed. He is on a mission to change the way in which disabled people are perceived. He wants to increase the expectations of disabled people, to change the perception of what disabled people can and can’t accomplish. To Chris his new disability isn’t the end of the world, instead, it is just a new beginning.

After producing his first commissioned piece in 2014, Chris worked hard to become a self-employed woodturner finally accomplishing his dream in 2018. A year after becoming a full-time woodturner Chris was accepted onto the Register Of Professional Turners. This was a significant achievement for Chris, as he was the first blind woodturner on the RPT.

Chris is frequently seen travelling up and down the country, delivering a number of woodturning demonstrations. He also shares his story of Toxoplasmosis and experiences of sight loss across his YouTube channel. Chris hopes to inspire and motivate individuals to aim to achieve their full potential despite the circumstances that life brings. He leaves audiences with a final message of motivation: when you feel like giving up, just keep on turning.