Richard talks about his experience volunteering as a Talk and Support facilitator

Losing his sight

“I was diagnosed with advanced glaucoma in 2014, when a scan revealed a significant hike in my eye pressures. I needed surgery, but after that, my sight was suddenly and severely impaired."

Help from all sides

“Alongside my Support Worker and the Sensory Support team, I’ve been lucky enough to receive help from a number of excellent charities. The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) offer an outstanding course called Living Well with Sight Loss, which is sensitive to the uniqueness of each person’s experience. We’re all different when it comes to the help we’re looking for, how we cope, and what sense we make of it all.

The Living Well with Sight Loss course respected the differing needs of those attending, while galvanising us over the common goal of discovering local services and coping with partial sight. Along with their courses, the RNIB Helpline was a great source of comfort and support for me and others living with little or no sight.

I’m lucky to live in Norfolk, where the charity, Vision Norfolk, has been a lifeline. I visit regularly, joining in with activities and volunteering as a “tele-friend” – a weekly, one-on-one chat service for people who are isolated or simply want to talk. I’m one of 18 volunteers in Norwich, delivering this service to around 80 people in the region.

My Support Worker’s assistance brought a sense of enablement back. Learning how to use my cane, navigate around the home, and travel into the city has greatly increased my confidence. After all the support I’ve received, I feel ready to support others facing sight-loss.”

On being a grandparent

“Losing 80% of my vision has been life changing.

I have two daughters and three granddaughters. My wife and I have been a major part of childcare, and we have really enjoyed all three of them in their growing up so far. It's a sense of identity, isn't it? It just enriches the journey of being a parent. Not all of our friends get so lucky, but we have been blessed.

One of the great things we did with the grandchildren, was when I borrowed some things called ‘Sim Specs’ which simulate different eye loss conditions. I was able to get the girls all to wear them, both daughters and all three grandchildren, and it helped them understand what things are like for me. There was more empathy, there was more understanding, at a practical level too.

I've been doing lots of new things to replace some of the old hobbies I had. I keep laughing. Being a granddad, my sight may be going, but you can’t take away the love I have for them, and the pride I have in all three of them. Why would that change? Life goes on. They're growing, I'm still here, and long may it continue.”

Looking forward

“Two years in, I still feel I’m in a period of transition. The charity, The Partially Sighted Society, helped me understand I’m going through a bereavement. The loss of my sight was just that – a loss – and grieving can’t be rushed. The charity has given me hope that grief will morph into a period of transition, and then to acceptance of my new set of circumstances.

At this stage, I’m looking to volunteer with RNIB to support other blind and partially sighted people. In particular, I want to become a facilitator in an RNIB chat group, along with supporting local campaigns and delivering talks to community groups. In light of the help I’ve received, I’m keen to spread the word on the role of RNIB for people struggling with sight loss.”

Thank you, Richard, we’re delighted that after accessing RNIB services you chose to commit your time to volunteer with RNIB. Our services are enriched by the experiences of our volunteers with lived experience of sight loss.