Ashley lost his sight at five years old. He contracted hydrocephalus – a condition where fluid accumulates in the brain and whilst in hospital caught Meningitis. Ashley is totally blind in one eye and has only 1.5% vision in the other and sometimes his sight goes completely – for example he might be able to see a lamppost and then it might disappear.
Ashley struggled with his sight loss diagnosis for a long time. He attended a sight loss school in Exeter and when he left his life was in chaos, he was in denial and never settling in one place – sleeping on the sofas of friends and family in different towns around the country.
Age 28 he hit rock bottom, and suffering from severe depression and anxiety he reluctantly returned to his mums. The only place for him to sleep was on the sofa which didn’t help his mental health; he needed a quiet space to sleep, somewhere to call his own and somewhere to keep his belongings.
Ashley realised he had to take control and make changes. He visited his GP and asked for help. His GP referred him to Eight Bells, a Newbury mental health charity to provide Ashley with support for his anxiety and depression. His GP also referred him to Berkshire Vision and started the process of getting Ashley a Guide Dog.
Slowly everything started to fall into place as he took hold of his life and accepted his sight loss. Within six months Ashley had moved into his flat and he was then lucky enough to be paired with Percy his wonderful golden Labrador Guide Dog.
He met Charlotte, his wife, and they got married in Summer 2019 with as the Percy as the ring bearer.
Ashley still gets down but recognises the signs better now, he knows to get out and about and knows to ask for help. Ashley also has Percy to think about, who needs to get out for a walk and this in turn, no matter how Ashley is feeling, really helps his mental health.
Ashley is supported by Berkshire Vision. Jennie, one of our Sight Loss Support Officers, regularly visits him, providing advice and support. Ashley and Percy also attend Berkshire Vision’s monthly Newbury group for people affected by sight loss, where there is entertainment, lunch and a support network of other people affected by sight loss.
Ashley also takes part in Berkshire Vision sports and social activities, such as tandem cycling and pub quizzes.
More recently Ashley has been working with Jo, our Employability Officer, as he is keen to get back to work after his health caused him to be signed off in 2008.
Jo suggested that Ashley start with some volunteering to allow him to build up his confidence and he started working in a charity shop in Newbury.
This was a working really well for Ashley and he was enjoying having a purpose again, but unfortunately, due to the pandemic, the charity shop closed in early 2021. Ashley had however proved himself and was taken on by his old manager in a new charity shop in Newbury.
Having gained valuable skills and experience Ashley is now working with Jo to seek paid employment.