ECL Sensory service broadens customer’s horizons

Thanks to the support I’ve received from ECL’s Sensory Service, my world has become a universe

It was during her mid-teens that Patricia Blackwell first noticed something didn’t feel quite right in one of her eyes. After extensive investigation, she was diagnosed with iritis (also known as uveitis) and glaucoma and began a long and difficult battle to improve and ultimately save her vision. Unfortunately, by 2002 Patricia had been registered as partially sighted, and in 2012 was registered blind.

Patricia often tried to cover up the fact that she had a visual impairment for fear of her children being picked on. She says, “I’d spent a lot of time working in schools before my sight loss worsened, and I was really afraid that my kids would be bullied if I drew attention to being blind. I thought seeking out help would make people think I was incapable somehow, so for a long time I just muddled through as best I could.”

Thankfully, in 2023 Patricia found herself talking to someone from the charity Essex Sight and they asked whether she’d ever considered requesting cane training from ECL’s Sensory Service to build her confidence around using the aid. “I‘d mentioned that I had bought a cane but never really used it because I wasn’t entirely sure what I was doing,” says Patricia. “Until then, I hadn’t known that there was any training and support available to me, so I’d never tried to access it, but it was wonderful to learn that the option was there.”

After so long coping largely independently, it took Patricia a little while to build up the courage to call ECL. When she did, she found herself crying with relief as she spoke to the sensory specialist at the end of the line. She says, “It was difficult to take that first step and ask for help, but I’m so pleased I did.”

Patricia went on to have cane training with one of ECL’s Sensory Rehabilitation Workers, Sara Poole and her confidence has soared as a result.

“Sara is an angel. She’s a star. She’s absolutely wonderful,” says Patricia. “She has honestly changed my life for the better – I’m more confident, more independent and I’m much more willing to accept help when I need it. Anytime I mentioned something I was struggling with; Sara was able to point me in the direction of a service or product that could help and I know I can always ring her for support or information.”

“When you have a visual impairment, you have to think about so many things that sighted people take for granted – curbs, escalators, stairs, and even using public toilets can be challenging. I now feel brave enough to travel further afield again and I’m nowhere near as reliant on others to get around. Using my cane competently gives me the assurance that I’m safe. It’s allowed me to enjoy more days out and I’ve even booked my first holiday abroad in years,” beams Patricia.

Sara’s support has been a catalyst for Patricia to share her story with others in a bid to educate them about what it’s like to be registered blind. She has already hosted an assembly for hundreds of children at a local primary school and has joined the ranks of ECL’s Lived Experience Volunteers, sharing her story and assessing barriers to accessibility in organisations across Essex.

For Patricia, the last 12 months have been life-changing, and she urges anyone struggling to navigate sight loss to get in touch. She says, “I know it can be daunting to seek help, but doing so will open doors and give you the tools to explore the world beyond them.  Thanks to the support I’ve received from ECL’s Sensory Service my world has become a universe…”

If you or someone you know would benefit from ECL’s expert sensory support, contact us at SensoryServices@essexcares.org or speak to one of our sensory specialists on 0333 013 3262.