The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Alex, 7, on Beano team
Acomic strip featuring children with visual impairments has been produced by the Beano and Guide Dogs to raise awareness of those experiencing sight loss.
The DC Thomson comic called Beano Presents – A Buddy For Life sees Erbert, one of the Bash Street Kids, discuss his recent sight loss diagnosis with friends, and make a visit to the Guide Dogs National Centre.
Real young people with visual impairments have also been “Beanofied” to feature in the edition, which is available in audio form for the first time.
Alex McQueen, 7, and his buddy dog, golden retriever Chance, who he has had for two years, is among those starring in the comic, while his brother Ross, 9, has lent his voice to the production.
Buddy dogs are dogs that have been given a career change because they did not suit being a guide dog, and are typically partnered with a child with sight loss.
Alex’s mother, Lindsey McQueen, who lives with her family in Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, said because Alex has a developmental delay with his speech, it can be hard for him to verbalise his feelings about being in the comic.
“He feels like it is all really good fun and ‘there’s me and Chance and we’re in this cartoon and it’s great’,” the 46-year-old solicitor added. “As Alex has speech challenges, his brother Ross did the voice for Alex, which is lovely.”
Alex contracted meningitis at three weeks old, which led to him being diagnosed with bilateral optic atrophy at the age of four. Mrs McQueen added: “As he also has speech challenges, we don’t always know how well he can see.”
Mrs McQueen said Guide Dogs has been “wonderful”, and has not just helped Alex by pairing him with
Chance, but has also set him up with an iPad to help him complete his studies.
“When you see somebody in the media or who appears on your phone or iPad or TV that is like you and they’ve achieved, it’s inspiring,” Mrs McQueen said. “It’s not just important for Alex, but for other children to understand.”
She said she also hopes the comic raises awareness of the “wonderful” work of Guide Dogs.
Craig Graham, editorial director at Beano Studios, said: “At Beano, it’s important to us to reflect kids’ experiences and help them navigate life with the fun and mischief that all kids should get to enjoy.”
Alex Pepper, head of accessibility at Guide Dogs, added: “With Erbert opening up about his visual impairment, we hope to encourage people to feel more comfortable sharing their sight loss experience.”
The comic is available digitally and in print from today. To listen to the comic strip and find out more, visit guidedogs.org.uk/ beano/