Oct 26, 2026

Lucas Haneman: Let the Music Speak — and Keep the Possibilities in Sight

When Lucas Haneman picks up his guitar, he wants people to hear the music — not focus on what he can’t see.

“I want the art to speak for itself more than the person.”

For the Ottawa-based musician, that means letting his talent, creativity and sound take centre stage. Living with significant vision loss has shaped his journey, but it hasn’t defined his ambitions. Today, Lucas has built an international music career as a guitarist, singer-songwriter and recording engineer—and he’s optimistic about what the future holds for vision research.

He performs with the LH Express (LHE) alongside his wife and musical partner, vocalist Megan Laurence. Together, they also perform as The Blind & The Beautiful, an acoustic blues and roots duo. LHE’s album Painting Stars reached No. 1 on the Roots Music Report’s Top 50 Canada Album Chart in 2023, and their latest release, Born in a Cyclone, is their fifth studio album.

On November 5, Lucas will bring his music and perspective to Fighting Blindness Canada’s Unite for Sight, an evening celebrating the vision loss community and raising funds for vision research.

Finding his own way through music

Born two and a half months premature, Lucas developed retinopathy of prematurity, a condition affecting retinal development. Surgery as an infant restored some vision in his right eye, but he continues to live with significant vision loss.

He believes the experience has helped him grow as a musician.

“I’ve always actually seen my vision loss as an asset for me as a musician,” he says. “It’s helping me be able to hear things better, and to focus on the sound.”

Unable to rely easily on sheet music, Lucas developed his ear and learned to play by listening and memorizing. While he wants to be recognized for his artistry rather than his vision loss, he and Megan also hope to bring their music and experiences into schools to help children build understanding and empathy.

Turning research into possibility

Lucas is encouraged by advances in vision research and accessible technology. Smartphone tools that describe images and provide walking directions have already made a practical difference in his life, and he remains optimistic about future discoveries.

His outlook reflects Fighting Blindness Canada’s Science into Sight approach: connecting scientific discovery with real-life impact. Continued investment in research expands knowledge and creates new possibilities for people living with vision loss.

Lucas is grateful to the donors and supporters who help move research forward.

“Without you, the needle wouldn’t move,” he says.

At Unite for Sight, Lucas will share a message of positivity and perseverance. His own ambition remains simple: keep making music, keep pushing forward and let the art speak for itself.

Join Fighting Blindness Canada for Unite for Sight on November 5 and help move vision research forward.