A CARE home is opening up a whole new world for a blind resident.<\/p>\n
Suzanne Lewis completely lost her sight more than 10 years ago, but, for a number of reasons, had never learnt to read Braille.<\/p>\n
When Gerry Humphreys, the Activities Officer at Wrexham-based Pendine Park, found out, she set about putting it right and now Suzanne is taking Braille classes every week.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt will open up a lot of doors for Suzanne and help make her a lot more independent,\u201d said Gerry.<\/p>\n
Thirty-two year old Suzanne arrived at the Pendine Park\u2019s Highfield care home about six months ago, one of two homes owned by Pendine which provides 24 hour nursing care, along with respite and day care, for adults of all ages.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am being assessed to see if I can live in a flat or bungalow on my own with carers coming in regularly,\u201d said Suzanne.<\/p>\n
She was born in Prestatyn, but moved to Yorkshire with her mother and step-father and twin sister Joanne, when she was 14.<\/p>\n
Suzanne, who has spina bifida and has to use a wheelchair, had to endure countless trips to hospital for various operations and says pressure on her brain caused her eyesight to start failing.<\/p>\n
\u201cI lost my sight completely in 2001, it was pretty devastating, I didn\u2019t cope too well at first, always bumping into things. I couldn\u2019t see to cut up my own food. Now I just take every day as it comes.\u201d<\/p>\n
While living in Yorkshire she was meant to take Braille lessons, but says the tutor \u201cnever turned up\u201d and so she missed the opportunity to learn.<\/p>\n
But with sister Joanne having returned to North Wales, along with her brother, and father, uncles and aunts in North Wales, Suzanne realised more than anything else she wanted to return home to her family.<\/p>\n
About six months ago a place became available at Highfield and her wish was granted.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s great here, everyone is friendly and they all talk to you, even if I get a flat I hope I can come back here sometimes,\u201d said Suzanne.<\/p>\n
Gerry added: \u201cWhen Suzanne said she had never had the opportunity to learn Braille I thought \u2018right we can do something about that\u2019 so I looked around and found a local centre where I could take Suzanne to learn Braille.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe go every Tuesday morning for lessons with Keith Brown at Vision Support. It seems very difficult but she has been wonderful and can already identify about seven letters.\u201d<\/p>\n