A Patient’s Voice – At the close of A Vision for Vision, you hear a voice. Her story is a reminder that behind every condition is a person, a life, and a passion.

At the close of A Vision for Vision, you hear a voice. Her story is a reminder that behind every condition is a person, a life, and a passion. And it’s also a reminder of why this work matters.

It’s calm. Reflective. Human.

That voice belongs to Ursula McGlinchy, a woman whose story quietly captures what this work is all about.

Ursula was living with Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) when she first made contact, having heard Professor John Nolan speak about his research on a radio station. Like many patients, she was searching for understanding. For answers. And, perhaps most importantly, for hope.

Above: Family home in Letterkenny

What followed was not just a connection to research, but a shared belief that even in the face of sight loss, there is still something we can do. The portraits shared here offer a glimpse into Ursula’s remarkable talent and the detail she was able to achieve, even while living with limited sight. To better understand Ursula’s life and legacy, her family shared the following note.

“Ursula McGlinchey (née Henry) was a woman of extraordinary vision, both artistic and personal. Originally from Sligo but a long-time resident of Letterkenny, Co. Donegal, she was a devoted mother of five, a gifted soprano, and a prolific artist. Despite navigating poor eyesight from a young age, Ursula’s talent for pencil portraiture was unparalleled. Her work was of such a high standard that iconic figures—including President John F. Kennedy, Éamon de Valera, and Pope John Paul II—personally signed their portraits for her to treasure.

In her later years, Ursula faced the challenge of Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD), which eventually took from her the ability to continue the artwork she loved so dearly. Ever resilient, she spent the remainder of her life as a staunch advocate for sight, continually seeking out and supporting potential cures for AMD. Ursula passed away in March 2025 at the age of 92, leaving behind a legacy of beauty, perseverance, and a lifelong hope for a world without sight loss.”

In a fitting tribute to her life and legacy, her voice now lives on, featured at the closing of A Vision for Vision, a reminder of the human story behind the science. Her family expressed how honoured they felt that her voice would form part of the film, a lasting reflection of the life she lived and the hope she carried.

Above: Fishing village called Burtonport in Donegal – near where Ursula was brought up

Her story is a reminder that behind every condition is a person, a life, and a passion. And it’s also a reminder of why this work matters. Because while sight loss can change a life…

There is still so much we can do to protect it.

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