Your gift could help hundreds of people living with sight loss to feel less alone
Many people become lonely as they get older. But if you’re blind or partially sighted, loneliness and isolation can be especially difficult. It’s time that changed.
Ken’s story
Losing his sight later in life was devastating for 91-year-old Ken, who was once a Motor Mechanic in the Royal Air Force. His wife had just died and his vision was rapidly deteriorating. Ken felt so lost.
This December, you can make a festive gift that will last a lifetime by supporting the Vision Foundation’s winter appeal.
Your gift could help Ken have a brighter Christmas
“At the time my sight started to go, I’d been in hospital, and my wife had just died. I was at rock-bottom, and I didn’t know how far I had left to go.”
Ken was mourning the loss of his beloved wife while learning to live with age-related macular degeneration. He couldn’t see the letters, emails or texts sent by his loved ones. Ken started to feel scared about navigating the streets around the home where he had lived for many years. Even a simple task like boiling the kettle had to be relearned.
Although he lived in the heart of London, Ken had never felt more alone.
But it doesn’t have to be this way
Ken reached out to the Vision Foundation’s delivery partner, Blind Veterans UK for support. He learnt to read his letters using a magnifying device and joined a cricket and gardening club where he could meet new friends.
Due to a recent leg injury, Ken hasn’t left his flat since the pandemic began. He says he has no idea what he would have done if it hadn’t been for his friendship clubs, which took place virtually during the pandemic.
On his hardest days, Ken knew his friends were only a phone call away to talk about memories and listen to music together.
Make an impact this festive season
Ken’s story is not unique. Over two thirds of people living with sight loss tell us they sometimes, often or always feel isolated.
Together we can work towards ensuring that no one facing or living with sight loss need feel lonely. Not this Christmas. Not ever.
Will you support life-changing projects for blind and partially sighted people like Ken this winter?
