Please help us to bring a little happiness to hundreds people like Eric this year
Bridget Miller from Deafblind UK’s Information and Advice Line explains how important telephone support can be to our Members
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At Deafblind UK, we are dedicated to helping people adapt to their sight and hearing loss, enabling them to live independently. Our aim is to provide a vital point of contact in times of crisis for thousands of people living with Deafblindness.
For the past 12 years, Deafblind UK’s Information & Advice Line has been providing free practical and emotional support to deafblind people. Since 1997, we have responded to over 132,000 calls from deafblind people in need. Without this vital lifeline, a deafblind person could find themselves cut off from the outside world.
I’d like to take this opportunity to briefly tell you about a lovely gentleman called Eric who regularly calls our Information and Advice line for comfort and support.
Eric is 87 and lives alone, having lost his wife 30 years ago. He is partially sighted due to Glaucoma and has a severe hearing loss from his time in the Royal Navy when he worked on mine sweepers clearing bombs during the Second World War. Eric continues to suffer from the devastating after effects of shell shock which has left him with post-traumatic stress disorder.
Inevitably, he often feels anxious and depressed and finds solace in calling our friendly team of telephone advisors. Sometimes, Eric simply calls for a chat when he needs company; at other times we provide advice and support by putting him in touch with other organisations that can help him.
Recently, Eric called me because he was concerned about his Guide Dog ‘Brookie’ as she had become ill; I put him in contact with Guide Dogs for the Blind to arrange for her to be treated. I know that Eric finds great comfort in our regular chats and I was touched when he commented:
“After 10 minutes speaking with Bridget I can cope better. She brightens my day”
Despite all that he has been through, Eric has maintained his mischievous sense of humour and is forever telling jokes which never fail to make us smile!
Having been one of Deafblind UK’s telephone advisors for the past four years, I’ve heard many other incredibly moving stories like Eric’s and every tale is unique. That’s why we’re asking for your help today. A gift of just £25, could give 60 minutes of vital emotional support to people like Eric.
Last year it cost Deafblind UK £120,000 to maintain this essential service for our Members.
Please help us by encouraging family and friends to give a gift towards the costs of keeping this vital service running. Any gift, however small will make a vital difference.
If you, your family or friends would like to make a donation please call our Donation Hotline on 01733 358100 to make your donation by debit or credit card.
