Remember our Heroes at Christmas appeal
No blind veteran should feel forgotten or alone at Christmas.
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Christmas is a terrible time to suffer loneliness.
Alan knows how hard it can be to feel vulnerable and isolated, especially as a proud former soldier. When he lost his sight, his life bore no resemblance to his busy years of service in the Falklands, Germany and Northern Ireland. Suddenly, he was helpless.
He thought it would always be like that but the one-to-one support he received and the devices he has been trained to use have changed everything. He has all he needs to have close relationships with his beloved family, to work, to exercise and cook (although he draws the line at preparing Christmas dinner!).
Find out about how Christmas became full of hope again for our blind veterans.
On Christmas Day 10 years ago Alan woke up blind.
Alan woke up and asked his wife to open the curtains because it was so dark. She replied, “but it’s bright sunshine, Alan”. He had been robbed of his sight by a virus. That morning was terrifying. It was a Christmas of fear and sadness – no bright lights or smiling faces.
But today, Alan can enjoy Christmas again. His road back to independence started with a specially adapted smart tablet. He started to email and call people, and feel connected again.
Now he can keep in touch with his adored family whenever he wants. “I've got a Synapptic phone. It's brilliant, you know, it talks to me. I send text messages and everything”.
When you donate today, you could help another blind veteran to receive a smart phone or tablet, to learn to cook for themselves, or to stay fit. You could help someone to rebuild their life – just like Alan has. He says, “I’ve got my dignity back, now I can do things for myself”. For this former acting Sergeant of the Royal Corps of Transport, it is such a relief to be able to say Christmas is a happy time again. “It's not sad like it used to be anymore”.
You can make such a difference to blind veterans like Alan. You can give them back some of the magic of the season. Please remember our heroes this Christmas.
"When I lost my sight, when I knew I could never return to the Armed Forces, a sense of emptiness filled my life. And that void was filled by Blind Veterans UK."
Blind veteran
Arthur's Christmas
Arthur spent Christmas at the Llandudno Centre of Wellbeing last year – it’s open 365 days of the year, precisely because of blind veterans like Arthur.
If it wasn't for the centre, Arthur would have been completely alone. After he arrived, he felt very low and spent a lot of time in his room. Arthur’s mobility when he arrived was poor and he had very little confidence. He was especially saddened by the loss of his independence.
The Exercise Rehabilitation Instructor set up a "12 Days of Christmas" programme for him. By day two, Arthur was taking part in strength and conditioning exercises in his room. Every day, he increased his daily marches down the corridor and his spirits improved as his independence increased. By his birthday on 12 January, a much happier Arthur was joining other guests for meals and enjoying the banter – and a special cake.
Festive entertainment laid on for Arthur at the centre included arts and crafts, a baking competition, quizzes and games. There was even a visit by Santa and his little helpers at breakfast time. The veterans said they were overwhelmed with the love and attention given to them.
Your support means blind veterans like Arthur won't feel forgotten at Christmas.
Donate now
Alan and Arthur are so grateful for the support they have received. Donate today and you could save Christmas for another blind veteran.
Blind veteran Wally turns 100 this December.
Second World War veteran Wally fought in Anzio in 1944, an experience he describes as “hell on earth”.
He lost his sight due to macular degeneration. It happened very suddenly, forcing Wally to stop driving and be stuck at home. “Everything stopped”, he says. Wally’s rehabilitation has included joining the Blind Veterans UK choir. Being part of the group has given his life a new purpose. They even kept going throughout lockdown, singing and chatting together on their smart tablets.
The choir is singing Jingle Bells in this short video, with Wally standing third from the right in the back row.
We wish him a very happy milestone birthday!
And finally, happy Christmas from the blind veterans of the National Creative Project!
A selection of baubles featuring unique designs including a robin, Christmas tree and Santa
These baubles were designed with the help of the Arts & Crafts rehabilitation team. It's one example of the creative projects the veterans enjoy that can help them meet friends, rediscover old hobbies and give purpose to their days. With your support more veterans will keep busy this Christmas.
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