Meet the students at the Royal National College for the Blind

For most of her adult life Debbie worked full time as a charity administrator travelling abroad and talking passionately about her work. Then, in 2008 she began to lose her sight due a very rare eye condition which forced her to reassess her future.

“Having to leave my job was very difficult and it was at this time that the realisation of what had happened to me really started to take affect.  I was stuck in a flat with no knowledge of a talking computer, no realistic job prospects, no mobility, I had to rely on friends and family to do many things I used to be able to do - I was losing confidence by the hour”

Debbie then came to study at the Royal National College for the Blind where she made many new friends who were dealing with the same problems that she was. Debbie’s confidence grew as the teaching and guidance she received supported her to challenge her fears and try new things.

Having been diagnosed in 1995 with Retinitis Pigmentosa (an eye condition which causes progressive sight loss over many years), Hazel continued in full time employment working as a retail manager and office administrator up until 2009 when redundancy lead to a need to change the course of her career.

Hazel heard about the Royal National College for the Blind from her Disability Employment Advisor and a subsequent visit to the college left her inspired and empowered to make a new start. Embarking on a course in Complementary Therapies and Braille in 2010, Hazel felt quite daunted at having to leave her family and friends to join the residential setting that would give her all the skills she needed. Once settled she enjoyed making new friends and studying hard and was motivated by the inspirational staff who Hazel claims ‘have the patience of saints’!

On completing her course and gaining the skills and qualifications to take her forward to the next stage in her life Hazel says RNC increased her confidence and allowed her self esteem to return.

Now self employed as a Massage Therapist, offering Reflexology, Sports Massage, Indian Head Massage and Holistic Massage. She also volunteers for a charity local to her home and visits RNC regularly assisting this years students through their studies. Hazel’s eye condition is stable, she has no peripheral vision at all and only 3% central vision and has no night vision.

Proud of everything that she has achieved and a great example to others Hazel’s confidence is still growing - “I travel on the train on my own now and in June this year I flew back from Portugal to Gatwick on my own; I would never have done this two years ago. A great confidence boost.”