Sight and hearing loss don't have to be faced alone
People with sight loss problems in Mid Argyll are being encouraged meet people with similar issues and find out more about help available to them by attending a new social group.
The Mid Argyll Visual Impairment Group meets on the second Monday of every month in the MS Centre in Campbell Street, Lochgilphead.
Formed in 2024 by Lochgilphead man David Bowen, who suffers from a sight loss issue himself, the group will reconvene in the spring following its winter break.
Mr Bowen, who has macular degeneration eye disease which causes blurred vision, says that getting out of the house can really help people to learn to come to terms with their condition.
Sarah Black and Eilidh Fitzpatrick from the Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership sensory impairment service are based in Dunoon. They cover the whole of Argyll and Bute and have set up similar groups in Oban, Helensburgh and Dunoon.
They support the independent group set up by David in Lochgilphead by attending every meeting.
While Eilidh is the rehabilitation officer for visually impaired people, Sarah supports deaf people and those with hearing impairment problems.
Argyll and Bute HSCP's Sarah Black shows Mid Argyll councillor Dougie Philand some of the hearing aids that can help people who have hearing loss.
Eilidh has recently started going along too because she said many people with sight problems also suffer from hearing issues.
At the final Lochgilphead meeting before the winter break, Eilidh and Sarah showcased equipment for people with sight and hearing loss.
Eilidh brought simulation glasses, to give family members the chance to experience what sight loss feels like.
People experiencing sight and auditory losses often encounter substantial obstacles in their daily lives, impacting activities such as reading, communication and navigation in public environments.
Sarah gave people the chance to see some equipment which aids those with impairments to be independent and explained the referral process. She said this would let people know that gadgets are out there to help.
She showcased smoke alarms for deaf people which include flashing lights and vibrate underneath the person’s pillow at nighttime.
Sarah said: “I think people are not sure what’s out there. We can look at what else can support them.”
Eilidh spoke about and demonstrated the talking clock, talking watch and talking newspapers. She also showed apps which can read out printed writing and a chopping board that holds food in place for people who struggle to see what they are cutting.
She said she thinks a lot of people don’t realise what benefits they are entitled to.
Sarah can also help people with basic maintenance of hearing aids.
David Bowen spoke about the benefits of attending such groups. He said: “I don’t think the general public are really aware of what is available. A group like this lets people have face-to-face chats with very experienced professionals. It is a support group and it helps people to speak to other people with similar issues to them.
“I’m hoping to link up with Gigha, Jura and Islay and we are hoping to start a group in Campbeltown.”
He added: “What concerns me is that a lot of people have this illness and if they sit at home, they can’t do much about it. If they come to a meeting like we have where people have the same problem, then sometimes their problem doesn’t seem so bad.”
For more information email sensoryimpairmentteam@argyll-bute.gov.uk
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