Did you know that it is likely that someone with a visual impairment lives within a five minute walk of your home?
Marjorie
Were you also aware just how cut off blind and partially sighted people feel from the people and things around them?
So when I share Marjorie’s story, I would like you to think about someone who needs your help close to your home. As you think of them, I would like to ask you to make a donation to buy them lunch.
This might not sound like much, yet it can make such a huge difference. It offers an opportunity for important social contact, advice and friendship. Often it is one of the few chances to get out of the house and socialise with others who have also lost their sight.
Meet Marjorie – your visually impaired neighbour
I’d like to introduce you to Marjorie. Her story is typical of many of the people we help. She lost her sight a few years ago, as she explains:
“I realised I was going blind about four years ago. One day I went to the ATM to take money out, and I couldn’t see a thing on the screen. I went to my doctor that day, and was sent straight over to the hospital where I was told I had macular degeneration. It was a big shock.”
Yet, like many people who are told they are losing their sight, Marjorie was left to fend for herself.
“You feel at your most cut-off and isolated when you go to the doctor and they tell you there’s nothing more they can do for you. They send you home.”
Yet help was soon at hand.
Marjorie discovered her local Lunch Club, where blind people meet to share problems, enjoy lunch and have fun.
Marjorie describes the difference the club has made to her life:
“Without the club, I would be absolutely isolated. Before I went blind, I had never heard of any blind clubs or anything like that. I have learned so much from the clubs, especially from Sharon.
“I saw Sharon coping and I thought ‘If she can do it, then so can I!’ At the clubs, you see others not just getting on with it, but having a right laugh.
“We are able to share lots of tips, for example I had never heard of Talking Books before I started going to the club. Or the little revolving thing underneath traffic lights.[1]”
Running social clubs across your community
People are often surprised to discover that the clubs rely on donations to be able to provide the transport, food, information and advice to the members.
Yet this is the case and it is why I’d like to ask you to make a donation today to buy someone like Marjorie lunch - and the chance to escape from sitting on their own at home.
Marjorie can’t praise the club enough:
“I just want to say that the clubs are wonderful, all of them. What would we do without them? Sit around feeling sorry for ourselves. The people and the clubs are wonderful.”
Donate today to help people like Marjorie
It costs around £7.50 per lunch, so a donation of £75 would buy Marjorie and nine friends lunch.
Alternatively, you could buy Marjorie lunch every week for a year with a donation of £390.
