Luke has Rod Cone Dystrophy, and can barely read large print. Despite this, ten-year-old Luke has read more than most of the other children in his school through RNIB's Talking Book Service.
"Because Luke reads such a large print size, and doesn't like reading very much," says his mum, Emmanuele, "he prefers to listen to them on CD." Luke reads books that are considered well above his age range, recently having devoured Phillip Pullman's Northern Lights. "We tried to arrange to have a copy enlarged for him through the school, but we actually received it from RNIB's Talking Book Service in much less time."
The reading also helps Luke with his school work: "at school they are saying that he's got such a large general knowledge. Otherwise he'd be really behind in his work. He learns so much from all the books he reads."
How RNIB's Talking Book Service helps Luke
Luke relies on the Talking Book Service for more than just knowledge - "it definitely keeps the peace for us", says Emmanuele, "he very active and can't stand doing nothing, he doesn't like having his brain inactive. If he's sitting there with nothing to do then his behaviour gets bad. If he's got something to keep his brain busy and something to listen to it's fantastic."
"If it wasn't for RNIB's Talking Book Service" says Emmanuele, "then Luke wouldn't be able to access books, he wouldn't have the knowledge that he has gained and he probably would have only read a few books in his life. Without audio books he'd have such a tiny access to books, he loves them and it makes a big difference."
Change the story
With your support, the story could be so different. By raising funds for RNIB, you're helping more blind and partially sighted children like Luke.
You can hold your Read for RNIB Day event on any date that works for you. Register now for your free Alice in Wonderland fundraising pack.
If you have any questions, email us at fundraising@rnib.org.uk or call us on 0845 345 0054 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm).