Life shouldn't stop with a sight loss diagnosis.
My name is Holly* and I was 20 when I lost my sight after an accident on holiday. I had so many questions about what my future would look like and no idea what to do or where to turn to for help.
But then I met Angela, my RNIB Eye Care Liaison Officer (ECLO also known as Eye Clinic Liaison Officer) and everything changed. Angela helped shift my mindset completely. I stopped thinking about all the things I couldn't do and embraced all the things I could. Now, I'm living the life I want – I'm not living in fear anymore.
Everyone should have access to the support of an ECLO, but we need your help to make this happen.
could enable our Sight Loss Advisers to answer a call to the Helpline.
could enable someone living with sight loss to get helpful, tailored and friendly daily living advice from a Sight Loss Adviser.
could help someone with sight loss get the support of an ECLO from the point of diagnosis, so that they can face the future with confidence.
In our first meeting, Angela was so reassuring and knowledgeable about sight loss. She explained the range of services available and assured me she was always just a phone call away. Knowing that someone was there to offer me practical advice and emotional support when I needed it helped me to start feeling more confident about my future again.
I can't imagine how hard it must be for the thousands of people who don't know who to turn to when they're first diagnosed. Everyone deserves to live the life they want, and everyone should have access to an RNIB ECLO like Angela or Jenny. Angela has made such a difference to my life. But I know she couldn't continue to be there without your support.
*This is a true story, but names and identifying details have been changed, and models used for the photographs.
All too often, when someone leaves the clinic having received a sight loss diagnosis, they don't know who to turn to for advice.
But with your continued support, ECLOs like Angela can help more people like me face the future with confidence.
Just £3 a month could help make sure no one faces sight loss alone.