Madeline speaks from the heart on vital role of volunteers for blind

AN appeal for volunteers to help visually impaired people in the community has been given a strong endorsement by a Rathfriland woman who lost her sight at the age of 21.

Madeline Maginn, who suffered from diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma, is backing a new campaign by the Southern Health and Social Care Trust to encourage more people to consider volunteering.

Speaking of her early experiences on becoming blind, Madeline said, “At first I felt like my life as I had known it was over. I could not work out how I would be able to do all the things I had taken for granted - simple things like going to the shop or church or going to meet friends.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Thank goodness I was blessed with a fantastic family and an amazing group of friends, but unfortunately, not everyone with sight loss or other sensory deprivation is as fortunate.

“Many are stuck at home unable to live their lives to their full potential or even to do basic activities such as getting to the shops.”

She stressed that visually impaired people were not expecting people to “wait on them hand and foot”, but would appreciate a little help and guidance to enable them get around safely.

“You may be thinking, what can I do about this? Well, the simple answer is, a lot!” she says. “Have you ever stopped to think what you would do if you were to lose your sight? Just close your eyes and try to imagine how you would manage to get about, even in a place you know really well, such as your own home.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Visually impaired people are ordinary people who have, unfortunately, lost their sight. I am very fortunate to have a close family, a wide circle of friends and a loving partner who rally round to help me whenever I need help.

“But not everyone is as fortunate as I am. I would like to appeal to everyone who is reading this to consider giving up half an hour or an hour of their time to help someone get to the shops, go for a walk around town or even to call in for a chat with someone who does not get out as easily as you can.”

James Todd, senior social work practitioner for Visual Impairment at the Southern Trust, also encouraged local people to consider volunteering to support people with a severe visual impairment.

“It is an excellent way of assisting other people to continue to play an active role in the community,” he said, “and the experience gained by the volunteer can be rewarding in so many ways - for example, developing interpersonal skills while at the same time doing something which benefits others.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Many of the groups supported by the Trust would not be viable without the dedicated volunteers who continue developing their own skills and expertise while helping others.

“Volunteering could involve shopping, assisting with exercise or a pastime or some other type of activity during the day, in the evenings or at weekends.”

Anyone interested in finding out more should contact Gerardette McVeigh, volunteer co-ordinator at the Southern Health and Social Care Trust for the Armagh, Dungannon, Craigavon and Banbridge areas, email [email protected]; telephone 028 3831 1484.

Related topics: