Kerry Reed
Kerry Reed, from Anglesey, North Wales, served in the Royal Air Force between 1979 and 1983 as an Airospace Systems Operator, which is the equivalent of air traffic control for the military. Now aged 47, she suffers from a rare eye condition which has caused her to become blind.
When Kerry first noticed her eyesight had deteriorated she was told she was short-sighted and was given glasses. However, after a mild stroke in 2007 she lost vision in one eye, and then in January 2008, she lost central vision in her other eye. Eventually she was diagnosed with a hereditary disease called Macular Dystrophy which it appeared she’d had since birth. Kerry was devastated, and struggled to face the reality that her life wouldn’t be the same again. At the time she had no idea she’d be the happy, independent woman she is today.
Kerry registered blind in June 2008. When social services began to help, they put her in contact with St Dunstan’s. She met St Dunstan’s criteria and was assigned a Welfare Officer who travelled to Kerry’s home to discuss what she’d like to achieve and how St Dunstan’s might help. Kerry then attended a residential introduction week at St Dunstan’s Centre in Ovingdean, near Brighton. Her programme included training and assessments designed to help build confidence and equip her with the independent living skills she’d need to cope with everyday tasks. In addition, the week involved introductions to various sports and activities and the opportunity to meet other St Dunstaners coming to terms with sight loss.
“I attended a residential induction week at St Dunstan’s Ovingdean Centre which involved an assessment with specialist staff to develop a training programme tailored to what I wanted to achieve. I was given independent living skills training and had the opportunity to join in different sports and social activities and meet other people who had overcome sight loss and come out smiling. The practical and emotional support was a lifeline - that was the beginning of me regaining my independence and self esteem.’
“One of the best things St Dunstan’s has provided me with is a set of talking scales for cooking so I get the measurements right and can continue to bake the Christmas cake I traditionally make for my family every year. They also gave me an ID Mate, a device which scans the bar codes on cans or packets and tells me what they are – either at the supermarket or in the cupboards at home. It means so much to be able to do things myself.”
Kerry has also recently undertaken a computer course at Ovingdean, where she taught to use a programme called Supernova (specialist software designed for visually impaired people), which has increased her confidence and skills in IT. St Dunstan’s has since provided Kerry with a computer which will be on loan for the rest of her life. Kerry got on so well with this course that she’s spent another week at Ovingdean in May doing a CLAIT (Computer Literacy and Information Technology) course she recently passed her CLAIT exam attaining 99 per cent. She was inspired by a fellow St Dunstaner, Alan Sharp, to inquire about this course which Mr Sharp undertook himself recently. It has boosted her qualifications and further increased her confidence using computers. Kerry is now undertaking the advanced CLAIT course.
Kerry has three children between the ages of 17 and 25 with her husband, Alan. They do their best to help whenever possible, but support from St Dunstan’s has made all the difference to Kerry being able to turn her life around.
“Ever since they contacted me, St Dunstan’s has been fantastic. In addition to the computer course, they are also going to renovate my bathroom and install a walk-in shower. We currently only have a bath, which I find very difficult to use as I have a bad back and struggle to get in and out of it. The new shower will increase my level of independence in our home.”
“Through the help they’ve given me with IT training, and with helping to increase my confidence, I hope to be able to return to work soon.”
A growing number of ex-Service men and women are desperate for support: more World War Two veterans are losing their sight and more young British soldiers are at risk of returning home blind.
The reality is that we cannot meet this growing demand without you by our side. Please help us give more blind heroes an independent future. Please support St Dunstan's
