Posted in Useful Information

Local Support Groups for Macular Conditions.

Posted on by One Vision

As well as getting advice and chatting on websites, Facebook groups, and telephone support with people.

You can attend local sight loss support groups.

I’ve seen these advertised in doctors surgeries and hospital eye clinic notice boards. Be sure to have a look there.

The Macular Society has a list of groups. For Macula conditions specifically. You can find one in your local area, by entering your postcode in the search box on their website.

Obviously at the moment, they won’t be able to have them. But I don’t think it won’t be much longer till the groups open up again.

In the meantime. I do know that they have telephone support with some of the groups.

I used to attend one locally and hope to again after this virus has disappeared from us.

The group I attended was made up of varying eye conditions and severity. Different ages and circumstance. I found this groups poster in the hospital waiting room.

They have rang me to ask me how I’m doing now and again throughout the pandemic. Checking in with me.

I told them not to worry about me as I’m sure they had people who could either do with a chat or practical help in someway. I was fine.

Please click on the picture below to go to the Macular Society page to find one near you.

Click here to go to the Macular Society page for local groups
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Exempt face mask lanyard

Posted on by One Vision
Brown haired woman facing front. wearing purple mask

Well it looks like we will be wearing face masks for the foreseeable in the UK.

If you are partially sighted and are having difficulty with wearing face masks. Your can buy a lanyard and card from the hidden disabilities website.

I have written about the Sunflower Lanyard hidden disabilities Scheme before. You can wear a lanyard or badge so people are aware of your hidden disability.

Please click here to read my past post on the Sunflower Lanyard hidden disabilities Scheme

The UK government website also has stuff to download for free for exemption from the masks.

I know that losing your central vision, and needing to use more of your peripheral vision, the masks do block out some of the view we need to get around safely.

Especially now the sunglasses are on and they steam up all the time. This maybe helpful for some of us.

I will still be wearing my mask until it becomes too difficult.

But at least if you are finding difficulties there is a way to go about your day without worrying and making life more difficult for yourself.

These aren’t just for people with sight loss either.

Please click here to go to the Hidden Disabilities Webpage

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Companion dogs for adults.

Posted on by One Vision

Guide dogs for the Blind has a new companion dog service which offers friendship and emotional support to adults with sight loss and their families. These well-behaved and well-trained dogs can help build your confidence and improve your wellbeing by giving you a reason to get out more. You’ll enjoy the health benefits of a more active lifestyle as well as the unconditional love of one of these wonderful dogs. At present, this service is only available for adults with a vision impairment who have sighted support within the household.

The dogs are owned by Guide Dogs throughout their service. These dogs are usually dogs that have been trained in the Guide Dogs scheme at some point, but had to leave because they weren’t suitable. Due to either being too friendly, needing medication or just didn’t suit the scheme.

These are NOT guide dogs and shouldn’t be used as one. You cannot enter shops with a companion dog like you can with a guide dog.

For more information, please click on the link below.

Link to Guide Dogs website page about companion dogs for adults