At 90 years old, Rosalind has lived an action-packed life. At just 21, she joined the Royal Navy, serving in Malta, Scotland and Northern Ireland during the conflict. But after her time in the forces, she decided to follow a different path and became a midwife, before marrying and starting a family of her own.
Rosalind’s hearing loss is genetic; her mother experienced the same challenges, so she always knew it was coming. Over time, Rosalind’s hearing has deteriorated, but hearing aids weren’t for her. “I kept losing them – it was getting too expensive!” She said, with a laugh.
But Rosalind’s sight deterioration was a devastating shock. “It hit me like a brick,” she admits. Everyday tasks became overwhelming. “I thought I’d sit down and write a letter when the sun was out and the light was good, but I just couldn’t.” She said. As Rosalind struggled with her vision, she felt frustrated and uncertain about the future.
Staying active and independent
Despite these challenges, Rosalind has always been active and athletic. Even now, she refuses to sit still. She loves to walk (and even run!) around the garden of her accommodation, much to the dismay of the residents who worry she’ll hurt herself. “They tell me to sit down, but I know I need to keep moving to stay strong and healthy.” Rosalind said.
She’s also deeply connected to her church community, which brings her joy and purpose. But as her sight and hearing declined, people around her encouraged her to slow down and take it easy. At first, she listened. She started staying in more, withdrawing from social activities and the things she loved doing. But this only made her feel miserable.
A listening ear
That’s when Deafblind UK stepped in. Rosalind joined our wellbeing and emotional support service and through regular wellbeing phone calls, Rosalind found a renewed sense of confidence and optimism. Having someone to talk to, someone who truly listened, made all the difference.
“Deafblind UK has shown me that, at the age of 90, you don’t just draw yourself away. You have given me the confidence to do what I want to do. When someone listens, it makes me feel good, just talking to you and knowing that you’re listening makes me feel better.” She said.
With the support of Deafblind UK, Rosalind no longer feels alone in her journey. She’s regained her independence, reconnected with her community, and continues to live life on her own terms, with strength, courage, and a determination to keep moving forward.
The service is supported by a £5,001 grant from the Veterans’ Foundation, the UK’s leading military charity that raises funds for charities and organisations that support the armed forces community. It’s main fundraising vehicle is the Veterans’ Lottery, believed to be the largest single-cause lottery in the UK. It has donated more than £25 million to more than 500 charities and 1,000 charitable programmes since inception in 2016.
Veterans’ Foundation Grants Manager, Louise Buchanan, said: “We are delighted to support Deafblind UK in the work they do to aid vulnerable veterans who experience sight and hearing challenges. We feel sure that the ‘check-in’ services offered to beneficiaries go a long way to boosting the wellbeing of those who need it.”
