Jim was a very active man until he lost his sight and his job as a Construction Site Manager two years ago.
‘When I was registered blind it took six weeks before Social Services even contacted me! Thank goodness I was put in touch with the Croydon Voluntary Association for the Blind (CVAB) who saw me immediately, for nobody can possibly know how dreadful blindness is unless they go through it themselves.
From always being on the go and being the family provider I wasn’t even able to choose my own clothes, and I had to put toothpaste onto my finger otherwise I would never know how much I was putting onto a brush.
I hated going to friends to eat since I would drop my food and make a mess.
My whole world as I knew it was taken away and I was left living in a dark world of my own. Blindness is an absolute nightmare and it can tear you apart.’
Since then Jim has been receiving help to cope with his blindness and to rebuild his confidence and independence.
Having been trained to use a white cane, Jim now has a new friend to help him, his guide dog, Queenie.
‘I am fed up with having my life put on hold’ says Jim. ‘I have learnt how to use a computer with speech software and hope that someone will still recognise my abilities and offer me a job so that I can once again prove to be useful. I still have so much to offer.’
