Jan Harrison, who is in her sixties, has been supported by NESS over a period of time. Jan says, “I have Macular Degeneration, which is being aggravated by Type 2 Diabetes. Part of my employment contract required me to be able to drive over a large area to meet with clients. It was becoming obvious that it was no longer safe for me to do so. My mobility was also becoming much reduced, which also meant that I was no longer able to do some of my past hobbies such as photography and jewellery making and fine crafts.
“Fortunately, my employer let me continue working with accessibility tools online,” she goes on to say.
“I felt like so many things were being ‘taken’ from me and I wasn’t coping very well with it. I phoned NESS to discuss what might be available to me.
“The person I spoke with could hear how panicky I was becoming and asked if I would like to be referred to a Counsellor at RNIB. Over 8 weeks of counselling, I was able to start to deal with issues which had been leading me to become more and more isolated.
“I was eventually diagnosed and then registered as ‘Sight Impaired’ at the hospital. NESS was able to register me with the Council in the area I live in.
“By this time, I felt more ready to access support and it opened up so many services and my worker from NESS had such a wide network of contacts that not only enabled me to access these services, but also to allay many of my concerns, some of which had been impeding my ability to live well independently, and avoid becoming reclusive.
“My worker at NESS helped me financially, by helping me to apply for Attendance Allowance. They helped me improve my application for Council housing, as my current housing no longer meets my needs. I was referred to physiotherapy to get some support with my mobility, which improved my balance and confidence to go out.
“They got in touch with Occupational Therapy, who after an assessment were able to provide some aids to help with safety in the home.”
Jan continues, “As I was becoming increasingly isolated, we also applied to the Council for a Befriender, which helped me to get out and about. NESS also put me in touch with Dial-a-Bus to get door to door transport with assistance, which was important because of the difficulties with my mobility.
“More than that, though, my NESS worker treated me as a valuable person who has many valuable skills that can still be used, especially in problem solving to overcome any barriers I may face. I was assured that what I am feeling is valid and that life will look very different but can still be rewarding and enjoyable.
“The support I received was quite intense for a few months, but came at the right time and in the right way for me. I have been able to determine what goals I wanted to set, and when, with support from the NESS social worker. I’ve been able to shed tears of frustration and be listened to. I have received encouragement and praise too. I have been able to contemplate joining groups in my area both for peer support for me and to volunteer with. I am now retired, and it is time to put much of this into practice. Thank you to NESS and the other services for your support and care.
“If, like me, you have felt you have been doing this on your own, or are ready to move forward in dealing with this way of living, that may feel so different to what you have known before, may I recommend you get in touch with your nearest NESS office and start with a chat with their lovely staff. I am not going to say that it isn’t still difficult at times, but I feel like I am no longer alone, and many of my practical needs are now sorted.”
Published 2nd December 2024
