‘I’m always ready for a challenge’
Chris Kempton is an independent person who enjoyed nothing better than jumping in her car and heading off to music festivals, so when doctors told her she couldn’t drive any more, she felt as though her life had come to an end. Eighteen months later, Chris has turned her life around and begun ‘a big, new adventure’, travelling by bus and train and taking on new challenges. Chris (71) spent most of her working life supporting older people as a housing scheme manager, so she’s very familiar with problems that can arise in later life. She has had eyesight problems since she was a child and wore glasses, but when she was diagnosed with wet macular degeneration, it was a massive shock. “I knew I had additional problems with my eyesight, but when the doctor told me that I must stop driving immediately I was stunned. I cried myself to sleep. I really thought life as I knew it had come to an end,” says Chris. Afterwards, Chris phoned her son who promised to support her as she began a new phase in her life. She realised she needed to get a grip and face whatever was ahead. “The doctors told me that I would probably keep some vision for about five years so I made a decision that I would do everything I could to enjoy life while I can. “I’m not pretending it was easy, it wasn’t. I’ve lost
‘I really thought life as I knew it had come to an end’
some of my independence and selling my car was very hard. Through my work, I’d seen people getting older and facing all sorts of problems and I knew from experience that the happiest people were the ones who remained positive. “I try never to feel sorry for myself as that just makes things worse. I’ve always loved music and I love music festivals. I can still enjoy them. I’ve got two holidays booked this year to Switzerland and to the Rhine Valley and lots of other things to look forward to. “Losing my sight has made me try things I’ve never done before. I hadn’t been on a bus since I was a child, but I now enjoy my free bus pass. I get the front seat and enjoy what I can still see. Some buses have wifi so I take my tablet with me. I’m walking a lot too. “I hope people will be encouraged by my story because in a strange way, losing my sight has given me a new lease of life. I’m always ready for a challenge now.”