Scott Dixon-Smith, who has been blind since the age of 40, will march with newfound confidence in tonight’s Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade, thanks to his guide dog, Pretzel. The parade, a vibrant celebration of diversity and inclusion, will mark Pretzel’s first time participating, having assisted Dixon-Smith for over a year.
“It just felt like a natural thing to do,” Dixon-Smith expressed. “What a great way to demonstrate to others how easy it is and how effortless it can be with a guide dog … he’s just amazing.”
To ensure Pretzel’s comfort during the march, Dixon-Smith plans to bring a bag filled with Pretzel’s favorite treats, such as kangaroo and chicken tenderloin, along with extra water. “I am not worried,” he remarked. “However, I am familiar with the signs and if it looks like he is getting stressed out, we will take some time away.”
Overcoming Personal and Societal Barriers
After years of concealing his sexuality, Dixon-Smith never imagined participating in a pride parade before thousands. “But when I walked through the closet door, I closed it and never looked back,” he said. The pair will march with Guide Dogs NSW/ACT, with Pretzel donning a special harness for visibility among the crowd.
A Journey from Sports to Advocacy
Dixon-Smith’s journey began at 20 when he was studying at Westminster College in the US on a sports scholarship. It was there that he first noticed his vision deteriorating, a condition later diagnosed as retinitis pigmentosa, a degenerative disease that gradually impairs sight.
“[It’s] kind of like a little Pac-Man running around and eating up the retinal cells,” he explained.
Following his diagnosis, Dixon-Smith transitioned from aspiring tennis professional to a marketing role at IBM. Despite the challenges of accessibility in corporate America during the 1980s, his workplace adapted to his needs. “They took all my course materials and they increased the font size. The color of the page, they dimmed it to make it easier [to read],” he recalled.
While his colleagues accepted his blindness, Dixon-Smith felt compelled to hide his sexuality. “I knew at the time going into corporate America, it wasn’t something that was readily approved of,” he said, leading him to live a dual life.
Embracing Authenticity and Independence
Everything changed when Dixon-Smith founded his own company, allowing him to live openly. “When somebody would ask me if I were married or if I was dating, I would let them know — ‘Yes, and his name is so-and-so,'” he shared. “I felt good about that … If somebody else has an issue with that, that issue belongs to them, not to me.”
By 40, Dixon-Smith had lost his vision completely, initially opting against a guide dog due to time constraints. However, as work demands lessened, he met Pretzel in September 2024, and their bond was immediate.
“You cannot even begin to imagine the amazing difference it has made in my life,” Dixon-Smith said.
With Pretzel, Dixon-Smith folded up his cane and embraced newfound freedom. “I had no hesitation. I grabbed the harness and off I went. I thought ‘OMG’ — you could not take the smile off my face,” he said. Now, he and Pretzel navigate their neighborhood with ease.
Inspiring Others to Break Barriers
The upcoming parade is not just a personal milestone for Dixon-Smith but also an opportunity to inspire others. “I hope it gives them [parade attendees] the opportunity to say, ‘Hey I’d like to talk to him’, because I would love for anybody to reach out to me and I welcome that conversation,” he said.
Reflecting on his journey from a closeted corporate worker to an openly gay entrepreneur, Dixon-Smith is proud of his progress. “I could never imagine this [marching in a pride parade],” he admitted.
He hopes to motivate others with vision impairments to engage more in community events. “There should never be a barrier and we should be proud of who we are,” he emphasized. “The only barrier is the one we set for ourselves — and we are better than that.”
