Blind volunteer’s clear ambition to help people in need
A blind volunteer is lending an ear to those in need while a life affected by sight loss is being helped by her four-legged companion.
Sarah Rolfe was born an apparently healthy baby 26 years ago but was later diagnosed with Stargardt disease, a form of juvenile macular degeneration.
As her sight deteriorated Sarah attempted to lead a normal life and tried her hand at being a mechanic and working in a pet shop before landing a dream role with Samaritans.
However, the former Aylesford Primary School pupil is adamant her life would not be the same without her beloved Logan, a five-year-old Labrador retriever.
Sarah, from Larkfield, said: “At six years old I was registered as legally blind. I still have a bit of vision but it is peripheral. Any central vision has gone completely.
“I am pretty much colour blind and I can’t see details such as reading texts. All software now has built-in programmes so I can use social media and send emails.
“This technology wasn’t around when I was a kid so I couldn’t use Gameboys or play with a Tamagotchi.”
Despite an initial diagnosis of Stargardt Disease Sarah revisited Moorfields Eye Hospital in London where she was rediagnosed by doctors.
Sarah, who volunteers at the Samaritans branch in Maidstone’s Grecian Street, said: “Slowly my sight got worse and I was at a point where I couldn’t read and I was re-diagnosed with red cone dystrophy.
“I tried my hand at different jobs when I left school. My dad is a mechanic and I worked in the office booking cars in and even worked on cars. I worked at a pet shop but I couldn’t find anything I wanted to do.
“I got involved with the Kent Association for the Blind and I felt like I wasn’t on the phone long enough with the people I spoke to there.”
Sarah embarked on her journey to become a Samaritan in the summer of 2015 but had to wait until the next year before she moved into training, as she supported her best friend who was getting married.
She began the course in September with 12 others.
“You get taken through different modules such as active listening, being non-judgmental and empathetic.
“I always knew I was heading in this direction as I was a facilitator for Kent Association for the Blind. I didn’t know how to channel it in the beginning and Samaritans has given me the opportunity to go into this area.”
‘I always knew I was heading in this direction as I was a facilitator for Kent Association for the Blind’