Pamela Blanchard

I lost my sight in my right eye during the 1990’s. I went to the optician for an eye test and he discovered that the retina was lifting off my right eye and so he sent me to the Eye Infirmary. After laser treatment and an operation I lost my sight in the right eye.

Not having sight in my right eye did cause difficulties but after knocking into door frames, lamp posts and a few other things, I learned to be more careful and slowed down!

As my sight deteriated I tried to look and act as if there was nothing wrong with me. Then I realised that not wanting people to know of my disability, strangers in the street were bumping into the person who was guiding me. This was pure vanity on my part, so I gave in and used a symbol cane. It was then that lots of old friends and acquaintances began speaking to me again, realising that I had not been ignoring them but had just not seen them.

Up until this time I was still able to live quite a full life. I had been active in my local Church; I was a Magistrate and had sat regularly in Court for eighteen months. Once a week I met my friend in Sunderland for lunch and went shopping with her. Twice a year I went to the Lake District with my sister.

In 2000 I had to have surgery on my left eye. Up until then I had had reasonable sight in that eye. Shortly after this I was registered partially sighted. I thought that this would mean that some things would have to stop, but not so! The word “adjust” is now a word that I often use because this is what I have to do even now. With the help and encouragement of my family I still enjoy that life.

As I have said, I used to go to the Lake District with my sister. That did not stop. At first she would describe what I knew was there in the distance. When I went to the Eye Infirmary they loaned me a telescope so that I could see into the distance. I still use it when I need to.

About six years ago I became a member of Sunderland and North Durham Royal Society for the Blind. I found out that there was a wide selection of equipment in their Resource Centre in Foyle Street. As soon as my husband and I walked into the office we were made to feel welcome with happy smiles and a cup of tea. An added bonus for me was that the Office Manager had been a friend of mine for many years.

Life is not always easy but being able to go to Sunderland and North Durham Royal Society for the Blind has certainly helped. Just having someone to talk to and receive advice from has been a great blessing. I go to the monthly Coffee Mornings which always provide a laugh from start to finish. They are full of happy, friendly people who have similar problems and who make the most of their lives and provide a wonderful opportunity to make new friends.

I still go to the shops and get it wrong – well Manufacturers will change labels! I bought a tin of blackberries one day, only to get home to find out it was prunes!

For some time now I have used a long cane and now, in crowds, my friend walks behind me because people move out of my way and she just follows!

Pamela Blanchard