On Monday, September 15th, 2025, the Francis House Children’s Hospice in Didsbury was pleasantly surprised by a special guest at their event. Dave Steele, also known as The Blind Poet, an award-winning poet, author, and advocate for the visually impaired, graced the occasion with his presence.
The hospice, which provides care and support to the families of children and young people with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions, was transformed into a music festival site for two days. The grounds were filled with music and laughter, featuring a large tent, food stalls, live bands, and performances.
The event, called the Family Fun Day, was aimed towards children aged 13 and under and featured a magician, princesses, and Disney characters. The highlight of the day was the reading of Dave’s new children’s book, “The Unstoppable Duo,” which is the second installment in the Austin’s Amazing Adventures series. The main character, Austin, is a young boy slowly going blind, inspired by Dave’s own son, who is also named Austin. In this heartwarming story, Austin meets a new friend named Josh, who is a wheelchair user.
Accompanied by his wife Amy and 12-year-old son Austin, Dave expressed his gratitude for being a part of such a joyful event. He shared, “Francis House means a lot to us as a family, and this book pays tribute to my nephew Josh, who sadly passed away from Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy just after his 18th birthday. Josh used to come here for respite care for many years. To be invited here today and pay tribute to the work Francis House has done for our family and so many other families over the years is a real honor.”
He added, “For anyone living with any kind of disability, any kind of challenges in life, to have a community on your doorstep where you can come and be around other people who are going through the same thing and really ‘get it’ is so important. It often feels like the world isn’t designed for people like us, we live our lives where things aren’t always accessible. To come to a place where the first thought is accessibility and support is a massive thing.”
Dave also read a moving poem about Francis House that he had written specifically for the occasion. The event was made even more special by his presence, and Rachel Ellis, a member of the Francis House homecare team, expressed her gratitude, saying, “So often our families’ days are filled with hospital visits, treatments, and worries. We felt it was important to provide a safe and accessible space where they could simply enjoy being a family, have fun, and make magical memories.”
She added, “Francis Fest and the Family Fun Day are about lifting some of the weight they carry, even for just a day, and giving children and parents something positive to hold onto. It’s been brilliant to have Dave join us on this special day, sharing his new book and beautiful poem. It is something that we will all remember for a long time.”
“The Unstoppable Duo” will be released on September 19 and will be available in large print, braille version, PenFriend compatible, and audio version on Dave’s website, www.theblindpoet.net. The book not only provides much-needed representation for children with disabilities, but it also serves as a valuable tool for schools and families to teach inclusion and spark conversations around difference, empathy, and strength.
Distributed by https://pressat.co.uk/