LOOK is thrilled to showcase the incredible songs submitted for the chance to represent the UK at the 2025 International Low Vision Song Contest
This global competition provides a platform for blind and partially sighted artists to showcase their musical talent and creativity to an international audience.
All of our visually impaired artists submitted a four-minute original composition with lyrics, either as solo performers or part of a band. The goal was to enjoy the creative process while crafting something personally meaningful—and we believe they’ve all succeeded brilliantly.
Here is a short round-up of all of our amazing ILV entries.
International Low Vision Song Contest 2025! Who will you choose to represent the UK in the International Low Vision Song Contest 2025? Vote now on LOOK Social Media Channels: Instagram, Facebook & TikTok.
Meet Our International Low Vision Song Contest Entries
Ashlyn Chiong – The Way I am
The Way I Am is a song that reflects on the experiences that have shaped Ashlyn’s identity. Born with severe visual impairment, she later experienced permanent hearing loss, developed diabetes, and was more recently diagnosed with an ultra-rare genetic condition known as Alström Syndrome.
Ashlyn’s journey through life has been marked by frequent hospital visits and the discovery of additional, unexpected health challenges. Socially, making friends and fitting in has been particularly difficult. Creating music has served as a way to cope with loneliness and find a sense of normalcy.
Image of Ashlyn in a red hooded jumper, words: International Low Vision Song Contest, Artist Ashlyn Chiong, Song The Way I am.
Betsy Griffin – I Won’t Let This Simple Curse Get Me Down
Betsy has been passionate about music for as long as she can remember, singing from the moment she could talk. She began learning piano at just five years old and quickly discovered a love for writing and composing her own songs. For Betsy, music is more than just a passion—it’s a source of comfort and expression.
Her song “I Won’t Let This Simple Curse Get Me Down” is deeply personal, inspired by her journey with a brain tumor that has affected her vision since she was two years old. Through her lyrics, she chooses to focus on resilience and positivity, turning challenges into music that speaks from the heart.
With a love for country and rock music, Betsy enjoys crafting meaningful lyrics and sharing her story through song. Coming from a family that embraces theatre and creativity, she continues to find joy in music, performance, and storytelling.
Image of Betsy smiling at the camera wearing a bow in her hair and a polkadot top, words: International Low Vision Song Contest, Artist Betsy Griffin, Song I Won’t Let This Simple Curse Get Me Down.
BOYCEE wrote ‘Answers On The Ceiling’ during a challenging period of unemployment that lasted a year and a half. The song captures the frustration, hopelessness, and helplessness experienced during that time, reflecting on the uncertainty of the future and the struggle to find purpose.
Boycee logo a B in the style of a music note, words: International Low Vision Song Contest, Artist Boycee, Song Answers On The Ceiling.
Chapman is passionate about using his music to advocate for disability inclusion and raising awareness of bespoke education needs for visually impaired students.
Over the past nine months, Chapman participated in The National Children’s Bureau (NCB) Changing Narratives in Children’s Social Care performance art workshops at Chickenshed Theatre, a project aimed at raising awareness for disabled children and those in the social care system.
Inspired by Chapman’s education journey, this piece was specially written by the Chickenshed Theatre crew for Chapman during the workshop, reflecting his experiences and the challenges he faces. The underscore music was created by Chapman for this submission, and he performs it himself.
The spoken-word introduction is narrated by Chapman, while the rap vocals are performed by Demar, a Chickenshed Theatre artist.
Image of Chapman standing next to a grand piano with glasses on, wearing a tie with piano keys on it, words: International Low Vision Song Contest, Artist Chapman Shum, Collaborators Demar Lambert and Chickenshed Theatre Crew, Song Revolution.
Friends2Gether, an intergenerational songwriting group including Charlie Judson, who is visually impaired and who inspired and helped compose the song.
Funded by the National Lottery, the project provides a creative and supportive space for individuals from diverse backgrounds, particularly those facing social isolation, mental health challenges, or economic hardship. Through collaborative songwriting sessions, participants share stories, experiences, and emotions, fostering deep connections and mutual understanding.
Charlie is hoping to continue his studies at the Royal National College for the Blind in Hereford from this September. Whilst he is looking forward to the next chapter in his life, he will no longer have the current support network as close at hand and has some concerns. The song ‘Validation’ was written when Charlie was asked to sit in a group and share his thoughts and feelings, his hopes and fears for the future.
Image of Charlie singing with his band, including another person on vocals, a person on guitar and a person on keyboard, words: International Low Vision Song Contest, Artist Charlie Jusdon with Friends2Gether, Song Validation.
Grace Hill – Dance Together
Grace is part of the LOOK Mentoring team. She is very creative and loves writing songs and poetry. The song she has chosen is called Dance Together, she wrote it herself in 2022 as a message of hope after the pandemic. Grace is passionate about supporting people with their mental health.
Image of Grace smiling at the camera with her hand in the air, words: International Low Vision Song Contest, Artist Graham Grace Hill, Song Dance 2gether.
Graham Bowe – Barriers
Graham sang and created the lyrics for the song, and some friends at SoundWave collaborated to create the instrumental for the track. Graham’s inspiration for the song was the barriers people face, trying to break through them, and the way it feels once you do. The thought of bringing others through those barriers with you, too.
Image of Graham with headphones on talking into a big microphone, words: International Low Vision Song Contest, Artist Graham Bowe, Song Barriers.
This song was written, composed, and performed by the Noney, inspired by personal experiences with vision loss. The lyrics reflect real-life events, including being hit by a car and falling into open gutters. However, the most profound moment came one night when Noney narrowly avoided falling into an open tunnel. A stranger, appearing seemingly out of nowhere, pulled them back to safety. With no guide or cane at the time, the Noney saw this as nothing short of a miracle. This life-changing experience led to deep reflection and ultimately inspired the song’s title, “Miraculous God.”
Image of Noney in a red top and glasses, words: International Low Vision Song Contest, Artist Noney Chuks, Song Miraculous God.
Karan Jammu – Beautiful Things
This song was specially written for this event and was Karan’s first experience recording music. It is a simple yet genuine song from the heart about the nice things we can experience in the world!
13-year-old Karan co-wrote the song and recorded the vocals with British Latvian singer and Karan’s piano teacher, Indra Red.
Image of Karan with headphones on talking into a large microphone, words: Artist Karan Jammu supported by Indra Red, Song Beautiful Things.
Rona Smith – Food All Wrapped Up
Rona wrote this song with the help of Grace Hill, a LOOK mentor who has also submitted an entry.
The inspiration for ‘Food All Wrapped Up’ came from the idea of rapping about the different meals prepared by Rona’s dad. Her dad is a great chef and makes wonderful food, and sometimes Rona has been known to spill gravy all down her cheeks, and sometimes the food is so good that she has cried! The song is all about the various foods that Ronas’ dad cooks, and how it makes her feel.
Image of Rona in a cream jumper and black snood, words: International Low Vision Song Contest, Artist Rona Smith, Song Food All Wrapped Up.
How to Vote for Your Favourite Song
Date: Voting opens to the public on 31st March and closes on 11th April 2025.
How: Videos and profiles of each submitted artist will be shared on LOOK’s social media channels during this period. The LOOK community will then have the opportunity to vote for their favourite artist using the poll function on their chosen social media channel. OR you can vote on this webpage by clicking the button below the artist you want to vote for and an email vote will be sent to the LOOK office team.
When voting closes on 11th April, the votes will be counted, and the artist who has collected the most votes will be chosen as LOOK and the UK’s nominated artist to take part in the ILSC grand finale.
When: We will announce LOOK’s nominated artist on the 13th of April 2025.
Click below to vote now and support your favourite artist in their quest to become the winner of the International Low Vision 2025!
