“Berkshire Vision helped me come out of myself, to face life as it is. The word is: acceptance.”

Wendy is a former Microsoft trainer with a passion for dancing, learning, and living independently. After suddenly losing central vision in one eye at 28 and, more recently, in the other, Wendy found herself facing new limits. But with support from Berkshire Vision, she’s learning to adapt, remain confident, and maintain her identity as a vibrant, independent woman.

 Where did she start from?

Wendy’s life changed overnight — quite literally.

 “I lost the sight in my right eye overnight. I got up one morning, and it was just gone.”

It was a cruel blow, but one she barely had time to process. At the time, she was already juggling the enormous responsibility of raising three children on her own. Her husband had died tragically, leaving her as the sole parent, carer, and provider.

Wendy’s determination to keep going for her family overrode everything else, even her own health. She threw herself into work, holding down three jobs before eventually settling into one she loved. She worked in the training department at Microsoft at an exciting time, when Windows was first introduced to the world. All the training she received eventually paid off an on leaving Microsoft she was able to independently go on to train others. 

Her days were long and full, but she rarely stopped to think about what she had lost. Then, in her 70s, her left eye also began to deteriorate, the result of complications from meningitis she had as a teenager.

Unable to drive, living in a rural area with no buses, and facing pain, swelling, and dryness in her eyes, Wendy began to feel cut off from the world. Once a busy Microsoft professional and Latin dance enthusiast, she now struggles to read, cook, or go out. Wendy wanted help, not just with tasks, but with feeling like herself again. She hoped to regain confidence, feel less alone, and understand how to navigate life with sight loss.

 “I used to dance, I used to do everything. I didn’t want to lose all of that.”

It was the Royal Berkshire Hospital who first pointed Wendy toward Berkshire Vision. Soon after, she met Diane, a Sight Loss Support Officer.

 “Out of all the people, Diane has been the most helpful.”

Diane visited Wendy at home, showing her how to adapt her phone, computer, and kitchen tasks using assistive technology, audio tools, and visual contrast settings. For Wendy, these changes made an immediate difference.

“She showed me how to make the screen speak, how to enlarge text, and how to keep cooking. She gave me hope.”

What happened along the way?

While Wendy’s rural location has made it challenging to attend in-person activities, she speaks with warmth and gratitude about the support she continues to receive.

Even when physical barriers remained, the emotional and practical support from Berkshire Vision never stopped. Diane continued to send updates, invitations, and encouragement. And Wendy embraced new technologies, including an AI reader called Claude and a special bird-watching camera her son had installed, which allowed her to reconnect with nature from home.

Where is she now?

Wendy has found a sense of peace and purpose despite her sight loss. She’s learning to ask for help when needed and is no longer afraid to explain her condition to others.

“Berkshire Vision gave me confidence. They made me feel like I wasn’t just someone to be looked after, I could still do things for myself.”

She has also found strength in accepting her limitations.

“That’s the word: acceptance. Berkshire Vision helped me face life for what it is, not what it used to be.”

Wendy is hopeful about moving closer to family and being able to access more in-person services. She treasures her independence and the strong bonds she’s kept with her children and grandchildren, who see her not as someone “getting old,” but as someone still full of life and strength. She values Berkshire Vision’s inclusive, age-diverse approach. Unlike other organisations she has encountered, which tend to focus mainly on older adults, Berkshire Vision supports people of all ages. For Wendy, this made a meaningful difference; being part of a service that recognises this and offers opportunities beyond traditional or stereotypical activities helped her feel more seen, respected, and encouraged to keep growing and staying engaged.

“I don’t want to sit and knit. I still have a young mind. Berkshire Vision gets that. That’s why they’ve been better for me than anyone else.”