Tower and Town, December 2014

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A Wider View

Over two years ago I discovered I had a blocked vein in my left eye which had caused the retina to become distorted. This meant that I only had peripheral vision and any central vision was badly distorted. To start with the bad image was superimposed on the good image from my right eye. Slowly my brain has adapted and I am not aware of the bad image now. When I was at the Great Western Hospital having treatment I noticed a poster for the Marlborough Support Group of the Macular Society. I went to a meeting to see what they did and perhaps even help in some way.

If you have any form of visual impairment you are most welcome.

The group provides a social meeting with perhaps a speaker or entertainment. Sometimes a trip out is arranged. They also provide advice by having people from the Macular Society national office, Wiltshire Blind, RNIB and other organisations.

I now understand how having impaired vision has a drastic effect on the quality of life of those affected. Many are not able to drive, watch television, read or use a computer. As this condition usually affects the elderly, they may live on their own, which makes getting out and socialising difficult.

The small group of members enjoy coming each month because we know we all have similar problems. One member said that many people don’t understand what it’s like to walk into a room and not be able to recognise anyone, even your friends. This is because central vision loss makes peoples faces blurred or blanked out grey. Members enjoy the social aspects of the meetings and the opportunity to discuss their problems.

We have been fortunate: a couple of grants have helped us fund transport and sometimes subsidise an event. Our main problem has been attracting enough members from the Marlborough area to make the meetings viable. We would like to see more people come along and their carers are always welcome.

The Marlborough Support Group meets on the last Thursday of every month at 1.30 pm at the Wesley Hall in Oxford Street, Marlborough. Contact Linda Chapman on 01672 512471.

James Kelly, Macular Society Support Group