An introduction from John – I am 62 years of age, live in East Hertfordshire, and retired a couple of years ago from my job as a Technical Operations Manager at a London university. My hobbies include writing poetry and I love listening to audiobooks. My reading is quite eclectic and includes poetry, crime novels, murder mysteries, biographies, autobiographies and self development books.
I have RP but I was not diagnosed until I was 32. Since then, my sight loss, or should that be blindness gain, has been steady apart from a period about 12 to13 years back when there was more of a rapid change, after which it was exceedingly difficult for me to read printed text. If people ask me what my sight is like now, I usually tell them it is a bit like looking through a colander covered with a fishing net on a misty day! Last year I received O&M training, and I now use a long cane to help me get around.
It was shortly after my more rapid period of change in sight that I discovered audiobooks and I have used Audible for 11 years. I like Audible because I find it very accessible (I routinely use it with VoiceOver on my iPhone), I find the subscription plan I am on to be good value for money and it has a large number and range of titles to choose from. It has never let me down, so I have stuck with it.
At this meeting we will also be discussing the book The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides, which a number of our members have already listened to as well suggesting our next title for discussion, Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro. Both of these titles may be available on a number of platforms such as Calibre Audio (streaming or download via Dolphin EasyReader/Libby), RNIB Talking Books (download via RNIB Reading Services, Alexa skill, or USB/CD), Audible, Apple Books, Google Play Books, Everand (formerly Scribd) and Listening Books. Local library apps like Libby or BorrowBox may also have it available for free with a valid library card.
Come and step into a world where stories truly come alive. This is a dedicated space for those living with inherited sight loss to connect through the power of the spoken word. Whether you’re a lifelong listener or navigating a new diagnosis, join us to share favourite narrators and build a community that understands your unique journey.
Whether you are addicted to autobiographies, hooked on horrors, or delve into a drama, this peer support group is for you so please come along and ask questions, share knowledge and learn from like-minded others who are living with inherited sight loss across the UK.
We hope you can join us for this latest meeting and look forward to seeing you there!