“I want to get my independence back. I want to do things for myself again.”

Jessica lost her sight in June 2024 due to diabetic retinopathy. The sudden nature of her sight loss was overwhelming and left her navigating an entirely new reality, one where familiar routines became obstacles, and independence felt out of reach.

“It affected everything,” she explains. “I couldn’t leave the house alone, and I had to give up my job at the petrol station.” With mobility issues already limiting the physical demands of her role, the progression of her sight loss meant that even tasks like operating a till or stocking shelves were no longer safe or feasible. Although her employer attempted to find a solution by offering a transfer to another store, it wasn’t possible. “I couldn’t travel that far alone,” she says. “It was too much. I felt stuck.”

Jessica’s referral to Berkshire Vision came via her GP. She doesn’t remember reaching out herself, but she’s incredibly grateful that someone did. She says that someone was Sarah, her Vision Loss Support Officer, who’s been “really, really, really amazing”

Sarah’s support has been constant, compassionate, and wide-ranging. Just a few months after losing her sight, Jessica also lost her home. “I’d been living there for 11 years, but the landlord wanted to sell. I was given notice and had to leave in November, just before Christmas,” she says. “It was devastating. Everything was happening at once.”

With so many significant changes, Jessica felt overwhelmed by the complexities involved in moving. “There was so much admin, and I just couldn’t do any more,” she admits. Tasks like reading letters or comparing utility providers became impossible. “But Sarah helped me through it all. She cancelled bills, moved accounts, and she’s been amazing”

Jessica is currently in temporary accommodation but is thankful to still be in the same area, which has made adjusting a little easier. Still, she’s faced significant challenges, particularly with local services not always recognising the impact of sight loss. “I’ve had a lot of issues with the council,” she admits. “They just didn’t seem to understand. But Sarah stepped in and started advocating for me.”

Jessica’s journey with Berkshire Vision has included practical support as well. She was paired with a tech buddy who visited her at home to introduce accessibility tools. “They showed me how to use voiceover and other basics,” she says. This has opened up new ways for her to connect and stay independent.

Emotionally, it’s been a long road. Jessica describes the first year after losing her sight as one of quiet denial. “I think I pretended I wasn’t blind,” she reflects. “I wasn’t ready to accept it, so I kept refusing help.” Despite this, Sarah never gave up on her. “She never pushed too hard, but she gently encouraged me to try something new. That meant a lot.” This emotional support was crucial in helping Jessica come to terms with her sight loss and start her journey towards independence.

Thanks to that gentle encouragement, Jessica has now started white cane training. “It’s still new, and I’ve got a long way to go,” she says. “But I’m finally starting to feel ready.”

Jessica has big hopes for the future. She hasn’t been able to leave the house properly in over a year. “But now, with Sarah’s help, I’ve started looking at train and bus tickets. I want to go to London for the day, wander around Camden Market, and try some food trucks. Just like I used to.”

Her motivation is clear. Jessica wants her independence back, not just for herself, but for her 12-year-old son. “I want to be able to take him to the cinema again. I want to show him that I can still do things. That we can still do things together.”