YOU’RE NOT ALONE
Support group offers a special lifeline to people with sight loss
Kathleen Speirs
A lifeline support group for people blighted by sight loss in Renfrewshire is appealing for volunteers and new members.
The Paisley Macular Support Group offers vital advice, tips and tricks as well as companionship for people who are either blind or partially sighted.
Jamie Cuthbertson is the regional manager for The Macular Society Scotland and says the meet-up is a real support for those who come along every month.
“The Paisley group meets in the Southend Action Centre on Stock Street in Paisley,” Jamie said.
“We used to have around 70 members, but now it’s down to single figures.
“The help and support the group provides for people affected by macular degeneration and their families is invaluable.
“We’re hoping to spread the word to get as mane people coming along as possible.”
Macular degeneration is an eye condition that causes loss of central vision, usually in both eyes.
This affects reading, colours and recognising people’s faces, which can get worse over long periods of time, or at a rapid rate.
While the group is run by The Macular Society, anyone suffering from sight-loss can come along on the first Tuesday of every month.
Two of the members are husband and wife, John and Mary Stephenson.
The inspirational pair’s life together was changed forever when Mary was diagnosed with macular degeneration in 2011.
Refusing to let the disease get the better of them, the dynamic duo take everything in their stride and say the Paisley society has been a massive help.
When I was first diagnosed it was quite frightening,” Mary, 65, said.
“I had just gone to my GP for a routine eye test as I suffer from diabetes.
“Days later, I received the news from the hospital along with a recommendation from the doctor to go along to the society in Paisley.
“I can tell my sight is gradually getting worse, but we just get through it.”
Doting husband John thinks looking after someone with the condition is all about being aware of how you need to adapt your day-to-day life.
“When I heard the news I thought, that’ll be me making the dinners from now on,” John said jokingly.
“Mary and I are a team, we get through things together including this.
“I take Mary everywhere and make sure she’s safe. She’s the boss though.”
John goes along with Mary to the Macular Society meetings, takes the fire register and serves teas and coffees.
But the family man, who shares one daughter, two grandchildren and three great-grandchildren with Mary, maintains he gets as much out of the group as his wife.
“The thing is, when your partner or family member is affected by sight-loss you are too.
“I don’t view it as a problem, you just get on with it.
“Meeting up with people in the same boat as me is a huge help.
“And you learn something new every month. From adapting household items, to finding out information about benefits and taxes. It’s been so valuable for me. “I’d encourage anyone to go along. “We’re from Barrhead and there is nothing like this in East Renfrewshire so we really rely on it.”
Determined to live life to the full, the couple, both keen bowlers, are keeping up their beloved hobby at the Paisley Indoor Bowling Club.
The facility in Wallneuk Road hosts a Blind Bowling Club every Monday and Wednesday.
Excelling in her new found field, Mary is the current ladies champion of the UK Home County’s Championship and took home a silver medal at the Scottish Disability Sport Championships last summer.
“I just love bowling. I have done it for years and so has John,” Mary added.
“When you have a condition like this you can’t give up.
“If it wasn’t for the Macular Society encouraging me to keep up my bowling I don’t know where I’d be. “I’d have probably just given up.” “There’s no stopping Mary and her bowls,” John added.
Alan Reid, who also suffers from a form of macular degeneration, volunteers at society meetings across the country.
He is urging Buddies who could give up some of their free time to get involved.
“These groups are so important for people affected by sight loss in all forms,” he said.
“So many people don’t know these groups exist so we need to get the word out there. “Nobody should go through this alone.” While Jamie is appealing to those with sight loss, the former army officer emphasises that everyone should be aware of deteriorating eyesight.
“Your eyesight can get 40 per cent worse before you notice it, which is quite frightening,” Jamie said.
“I would suggest getting regular checkups at the opticians.
“Sight is something many people take for granted. We’re here to help people when that is taken away from them.”
The Paisley Macular Society meets on the first Tuesday of every month from 11am to 1pm.
For more information about the Paisley Macular Support Group call 0141 942 1083 or 07903 520 350, or email jamie.c@ macularsociety.org