USH Ambassador for Scotland - Issy McGrath

A smiling Issy - long blond hair with bangs, sunglasses on her head, wearing blue jeans, a sweater and scarf - kneels down next to her black lab guide dog.

Hi! I'm Issy, USH Ambassador for Scotland. 

I was born with Usher syndrome and I'm now completely blind and severely deaf. I graduated with a Bachelor of Education degree from Glasgow University; a post-grad from Oxford Brooks University; and am a qualified teacher of the deaf. I've worked in a variety of educational settings with deaf and deafblind children, including 15 years at a managerial level.

Having worked extensively with deaf, deafblind, and deafblind-complex needs clients for many years, I bring extensive knowledge and experience to Deafblind Scotland. I continue to be an active player in the field of deafblindness nationally and internationally, including a study visit to Finland, and building on connections with Deafblind Greece. 

I am a trained "Touching Lives Facilitator" where I helped to develop this peer-led training. An accomplished flautist, I have won several awards and am studying for a diploma in flute performance. The Royal National Institute for the Blind recently described
my flute playing as “inspirational.” 

Currently residing between Glasgow and Luing Island in the Western Isles, I enjoy going out and about. I'm a well-kent figure striding along with my trusty guide dog, Yang.

You can contact me at: ambassador.scot@usher-syndrome.org

Resources in Scotland

  • The Usher Syndrome Coalition's "USH Trust" is the largest international contact database of children and adults with Usher syndrome, and our most powerful tool to connect, inform, and support individuals within the Usher community. Those who join the USH Trust are also the first to learn about the latest research opportunities. Information in the USH Trust is confidential and is not shared outside of the Coalition.

  • Individuals with Usher syndrome who are passionate about research have a new data collection program to join. The Usher Syndrome Data Collection Program, or USH DCP, is powered by RARE-X, a program of Global Genes a nonprofit dedicated to accelerating research in the rare disease community. By entering your health information into this secure platform, you will become part of a global database of de-identified information available to researchers worldwide. That means that only you can see your data. Only you can change your data. Your personal information (name, email address) will not be shared without your permission. As the DCP grows, more researchers will become aware of Usher syndrome. This can lead to the development of clinical trials, new treatments, and new therapies. YOU hold the key to unlocking future research discoveries.

  • Advocacy organization working for the recognition and rights of the deafblind community in Scotland

  • British Sign Language National Plan 2023-2029, a six-year plan that represents our ongoing commitment to making Scotland the best place in the world for BSL users to live, work, visit, and learn.

  • 999 BSL is an emergency Video Relay Service for Deaf BSL users to contact the emergency services through a British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter. To learn more, go to their website.

The Usher Community in Scotland