D-Day 80: In their own words

One issue our Community Support Workers come across when working with veterans who have a sight impairment is eating - and how quickly sight loss can make them self-conscious around food.

The veterans can feel embarrassed when food drops off the fork or spoon, or when they put the fork to their mouth with nothing on it. They might stop going out to restaurants and cafés.

Our staff encourage them to continue living their life and help them to feel more secure with simple tips such as, for example, choosing finger food which is easier to control.

They also show veterans' families how to help them identify what is on the plate by using a clock face analogy: 12 o’clock chicken, 3 o’clock peas, 6 o’clock mashed potato, 9 o’clock carrots. Also, putting food onto a slightly lipped plate means food can be scooped up more easily.

By following simple tips like these, our team make sure blind veterans don't miss out on social activities and can still enjoy their meals, wherever they are.

Our support to help blind veterans with daily living begins with a low vision assessment with our rehabilitation team.

One thing they will support with is identifying the best low vision aids for reading tasks, like a portable scanner. This is often a priority as it enables veterans to continue their day-to-day tasks such as reading the post and following cooking instructions.

Our rehabilitation team will also support in other practical ways. For example, D-Day veteran, Alec, who's widowed, is able to use his kitchen thanks to tactical markers which help him navigate the dials on his cooker and other appliances.

In addition to this, our volunteers play a vital role in helping our veterans maintain their independence. This is because isolation is a common problem for people with sight loss and hearing a friendly voice can make all the difference to their wellbeing.

For example, we recruited a home visitor for Alec who visits regularly for a cuppa and a chat - and even the odd job around the house. 

While our specialist equipment can make all the difference to the day-to-day, we find that keeping morale up can be just as important, particularly for older veterans less able to venture out.

For example, by the time Second World War veteran, George, came to us he had already become extremely lonely and isolated. In fact, he told us that he felt like his life was over.

Our local staff quickly rallied round and connected him to other veterans through our telephone groups. The difference in George has been extraordinary. He now says:

"I'm part of the gang now. I feel I belong."

His Community Support Worker says that when she thinks of the impact she has had on his life, she feels very emotional. She says:

"Knowing that the veterans don't feel lonely anymore is wonderful. The change can be tremendous." 

Even if our blind veterans are in care homes, we will continue to visit them to make sure they are well looked after. Often we find that their carers have never cared for someone with sight loss, so we might step in and give them tips, such as making sure they introduce themselves clearly and explain where things have been left, such as meals and drinks. 

We introduce our blind veterans to assistive technology that makes their lives easier and providing training and troubleshooting support.

For example, at the age of 99 and in the midst of the pandemic, D-Day veteran, John, decided to take on the challenge of writing his wartime memoirs. This was no small task as John has severe sight loss and lives alone - and all our support had to be remote.

We provided John with an iPad and remote training on how to use it, and also sourced a volunteer to type up and edit his handwritten notes. This was coordinated and monitored by the community team who made sure that John received the best support possible.

Amazingly, John was able to publish his book - and, now, at the age of 103, is busy working on his second.

John continues to receive regular check in calls from his local  community team and also keeps in contact with other members of Blind Veterans UK via our telephone groups. We've also provided him with more essential equipment such as alarm on a pendant, and our IT Instructors have helped him access the television using voice controls.

Our Community Support Workers work hard to make sure each blind veteran has all the support they need - and the pleasure is all theirs.

George's Community Support Worker recently told us:

"I feel proud because of the work I do. I have a chance to support these people who served through such a horrible period in our history and make their lives easier and a little bit happier. That, for me, is a joy. Being part of their lives until the end is just joyous. It's very rewarding. I'm being paid to do what I love. Imagine that? What a job!"

Meanwhile, our Community Support Worker for D-Day veterans, Joe and Harry, says:

"I feel so humbled and honoured to be able to serve our veterans. We literally have the best jobs in the world."