Any blind people on the Forum.

regblind · 18-11-2008, 06:08

Hello. I have been using the Forum for the last 3 or 4 years but only just found this group. I am reg. blind and have been since 1997 after having a stroke. i now have Tunnel vision. I manage the computer using a large cursor also having tails on the cursor. Is there anyother blind people out there using the Forum? It would be nice to no how they cope and what their interests are. Mine is crown green bowling which i do with Sheffield and Rotherham, We are always looking for new members so if anyone is interested please get intouch. Also they might no about the new dropin center that is almost finished being built on Mappin St. This is the Sheffield Royal Society for the blind. The old building has been there since i think about 1935 so looking forward to the new one opening early next year.

Anna K · 01-12-2008, 02:13

Hi,

Just read your post so thought I'd reply.

I am not blind myself but have a friend who is. She goes to Sheffield Royal Society for the Blind clubs and events. I've been with her on a couple of occasions and was amazed at the number of things they do.
There are different activities for people of all ages and differing interests as well as the soon to be opened drop in coffee bar at the new building at Mappin street. They also give excellent help and advice to blind and visually impaired people.
The people who work there are warm and welcoming. Anyone who is blind or visually impaired would do well to get in touch.

Vulcan B2 · 06-12-2008, 19:19

I have just found out that I suffer from a genetic eye condition. My dad is blind, and two of my three sons also suffer from vision problems. I myself don't do too badly - I am still just above the legal driving limit, and although I have crap colour vision - part of the condition - I'm not too bad. What the future holds is another matter. My oldest son suffers quite badly though, and while the RNIB do great work, they don't seem to do much for young people. He did get an invite to archery ?!

But said he wasn't keen on participating in such a sport with vision impaired people!

Don't get me wrong, I'm not taking the P*ss at all, but you have to laugh or you'd cry

regblind · 07-12-2008, 05:45

You dont menshion how old your kids are. You seem to no about Sheffield Royal Society with the archery. As in my starting post i bowl with the blind, thats crown green bowling but there is a tempin bowling group also they have sociels for the youger end. If you are int. get intouch and we can have a chat. Did you also no that Sheffield City Council have a special Vissually impaired team who would give you great help. I was shattered when i had the stroke and lost most of my sight but had to get on with it so i do all i can to enjoy life. Driving is the thing i miss as we used to have a touring caravan, but thankfull my wife still drives a small car. Thanx for keeping the thread going and hope you and the family cope ok.

WallBuilder · 07-12-2008, 16:02

I know the RNIB sometimes have a company called Dolphin coming in to show off their computer software. The all singing all dancing one is called supernova and does both screen magnification and also text to speech. It is very expensive and so some-one I know uses Texthelp which is another screen reader and as in the past I've seen both of these in operation I ythink texthelp screenrreader is far supirior and amazingly it's cheaper although it doesn't do the screen magnification.
I wish the RNIB would promote or help to promote other software packages rather than just Dolphin.

Anna K · 10-12-2008, 00:30

Can I just point out that the RNIB is a different organisation from the SRSB (Sheffield Royal Society for the Blind.)

People often get the two mixed up or think that they are one and the same.

Incidently the word 'blind' is a bit misleading too, as they deal with a variety of visual impairments and problems.

diana · 17-12-2008, 20:37

Hi Vulcan B2
I'm in my 30s and registered blind although I still have a fair amount of sight in one eye. I'v elived in Sheffield for 8 years and never found SRSB to be any help at all - I work in thebuilding next door and when I first went to enquire how they could be of help, they just said, "oh we don't really do anything for people of your age, we only really deal with old people". I used to run the goalball club in Sheffield but it folded due to lack of interest - deifnitely a sport for younger people. It's a shame as i don't have the energy and time to run it any more. I'd love to meet some active sporty people of my age with visual impairment, but it's hard to figure out how to do so.

Anna K · 19-12-2008, 00:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by diana

Hi Vulcan B2
I'm in my 30s and registered blind although I still have a fair amount of sight in one eye. I'v elived in Sheffield for 8 years and never found SRSB to be any help at all - I work in thebuilding next door and when I first went to enquire how they could be of help, they just said, "oh we don't really do anything for people of your age, we only really deal with old people". I used to run the goalball club in Sheffield but it folded due to lack of interest - deifnitely a sport for younger people. It's a shame as i don't have the energy and time to run it any more. I'd love to meet some active sporty people of my age with visual impairment, but it's hard to figure out how to do so.

Oh dear Diana, I'm sorry to hear your negative experience of SRSB. How long ago was it? There's new management in place now and their remit is to include young people.

Things have changed greatly in the last few years and they have lots of things now for younger people, such as discos, daytrips, sports such as 10 pin bowling, archery etc, a culture club that does trips to the theatre, music venues, and lots more.
They are desperate for more young blood, especially people with a bit of get up and go.
They have moved to Darnall at the moment but hopefully will be back in their new, purpose built building on Mappin Street by Easter.

Please give them another go.

regblind · 19-12-2008, 05:42

I agree with AnnaK. I am looking forward to the new premises opening next year, i will be calling in for a coffee in their new praposed cafe. Darnall where they are now is a bit too risky to get to for me as i am told using the crossings etc down at Prince of Whales Rd is a bit of a nightmare. If anybody reading this is not vissually impaired but would like to offer their services which would be making tea or assisting blind bowlers on a Wednesday mornings at Concord Sports centre please get intouch. We are a mixed bunch of people all game for a lough

Alan

raskel · 14-01-2009, 13:06

A fashion show is being held by SRSB to raise funds, in March.
http://www.eventsheffield.co.uk/even...u-fashion-show

Pm for further info.

toeless · 01-02-2009, 15:06

Hello, Im from Sheffield aged 36 with a small child and also registered blind. I have a small amount of vision left in just one eye but pride stops me from mixing with other people in the same situation. I like to think that if I dont acknowledge it then maybe other people might not notice. Would love to speak to others on here tho' xxxx

Anna K · 11-02-2009, 21:52

Hi Toeless,
Just found your post. A lot of people don't check this bit of the forum so responses tend to be a bit slow.

Really sorry to hear about your problem, but really would urge you to get in touch with SRSB. Even if you're not bothered about 'joining' they will have something to offer.

Also there's a chat show on Sheffield Live (93.2 fm) called 'Sheffield in Focus' for people with sight problems, which is quite good. (Tuesday afternoons 3.0 till 5.0pm) Can also be accessed via the internet - www.sheffieldlive.org