Social media handles:

Facebook- Mark Pasty Astley

Instagram - MarkPastyAstley

Where are you from? Born Sheffield Uk

Where do you live now? Chesterfield Uk

Tell us a little about yourself: I’m a 49-year-old self-employed Plasterer, my interests or anything active from hiking to mountain biking to extreme Adrenalin activities. I love to go to the gym daily and buzz from tiring myself out, I am a massive vinyl collector and have Deejayed the majority of my life! I love dance culture and the UK rave scene. I live and breathe music as well as being married for 17 years and with my partner Amanda for nearly 20 years .. we have 4 indoor cats … we love to holiday in the Indian Ocean and live sea life.

(Short Version) - Long version below What’s your eye story? Back on 19th November 2006 I lost sight in my left eye after having an accident at home where I landed out my eye with a screwdriver.

What has been the most challenging mentally? Dealing with how anger cost me my sight in my eye

What has been the most challenging physically? Driving in the dark! Anything where the perception of depth is required.

Where are you now in your recovery?
It is 17 years today since I lost my eye on 19th November 2006. I am currently gaining skills with Shelby Perry in one-on-one coaching, coming to terms with my eye loss, and learning skills to move forward positively, embrace my injury, accept it, and believe in myself with more confidence.

What advice would you give to someone going through their eye impairment journey?
Stick with it. You will get there—it just takes belief, time, hard work, and positive energy.

Who is your eye surgeon and ocularist?
Royal Hallamshire Ophthalmology - Ocular Plastics (RHQHH).

How did you find EYEHESIVE?
Through Shelby Perry's motivational speaking on social media, particularly Instagram, and the creation of Eyehesive.

Long Version (Trigger Warning)

I had an abusive, violent, and mentally challenging childhood where I witnessed brutal events that profoundly affected my life and how I portrayed myself.

Finding my soul partner and rock, Amanda, made me understand that I could be loved and supported while also being able to love in return. We fell in love quickly and deeply, and I proposed within six months of being together. Amanda seemed to understand me as a person and loved me enough to support me in the journey ahead. After I proposed, we purchased our first home together.

Despite this, I still struggled with anxiety from my traumatic childhood experiences, including a very difficult relationship with my father, who abused me and my mother for many years.

After my mum divorced my father, she moved to Portugal to rebuild her life. This upset me but also made me proud of her strength. My father, however, failed in another relationship and ultimately tried to end his life by gassing himself in his car. He survived but was left a shadow of his former self.

I no longer have any contact with my father. He is now reclusive, and I’ve come to terms with the fact that I will never get the answers I once sought.

When Amanda and I planned to marry in Mexico on 12th April 2007, my past trauma and mental health struggles continued to weigh heavily on me. I often battled self-doubt and self-belief issues, conditioned by years of mental and physical abuse.

On 19th November 2006, I had a moment of emotional and mental turmoil. Overcome with feelings of worthlessness—things my father repeatedly told me—I had an accident and lanced my left eye. This happened six months before our wedding.

This marked a turning point in my life. The abuse, violence, and frustration finally caught up with me. I sought massive amounts of mental health support, including CBT counseling and anger management. With Amanda’s love and my mother’s support, I began to heal.

After our marriage, however, professional support faded, and I defaulted to old coping mechanisms. Amanda and my mum stood by me, but it was a challenging time for all of us.

Pandemic Struggles and Recovery

During the pandemic, feelings of being controlled reminded me of my father’s abuse and took a toll on my mental health. I sought CBT counseling again, determined to face my anxiety and past trauma.

I quit drinking alcohol, recognizing how it clouded my thoughts and heightened my emotions. I had previously stopped smoking in 2018, so I knew I had the willpower to make this change.

I began focusing on healthier outlets: mountain biking, weightlifting, and DJing—activities that have always brought me joy. Music, especially DJing and the rave scene, has been a central part of my life and a source of healing.

I also joined a mental health charity to raise funds and help others facing similar challenges. Through this, I pushed my boundaries, from jumping out of planes at 15,000 feet to completing the 3 Peaks Challenge, hiking the tallest mountains in the UK within 24 hours.

Where I Am Now

Today, I am in a much more positive place. I take fluoxetine to manage my anxiety and nerves, which has been effective. I’ve set clear goals for myself, rekindled my passion for music, and am working on getting back into the house music scene I love.

Life feels great. I’m smiling again, and the positive energy around me is infectious.

After following Eyehesive and the One Eye Gang community, I feel inspired to help others. I want to support and motivate people facing similar challenges, proving that with determination and drive, they too can succeed and never give up.