Janet's story

Janet lives with a rare hereditary sight loss condition called Best disease. She was registered blind six years ago, at the age of 65.

Over the years, Janet’s world has become smaller as her central vision has progressively deteriorated. But she’s found ways to adapt and continue enjoying the things that matter. The Relish radio we gave her has helped her find entertainment and mental stimulation.

Living with an invisible disability

“People often don’t realise I have a disability,” she says. “Even my friends forget—I manage so well they don’t see the struggle underneath.”

Janet began losing her sight slowly as she was growing up, but it wasn’t something she talked about at the time. “In the 1960s there was still a lot of stigma around having a disability. You just got on with it and tried to hide it,” she recalls. 

Janet spent most of her life working as a teacher, but, as her vision worsened, it began to affect her career. “I felt I’d missed the boat with technology, and I couldn’t read screens. That was when I had to take early retirement.”

A simple solution with a big impact

As life became more restricted and with less time for herself while caring for her husband, who has Alzheimer’s disease, radio has becomea key part of her daily life.

When she heard about BWBF through her local sight loss charity in Cardiff, she was keen to get a simple device that she could easily control. 

“I was fascinated. So, I applied and received this fantastic radio. It felt like receiving a Christmas present.” 

Janet appreciates the radio’s simple controls and station presets. 

As a former teacher and lifelong learner, listening to Radio 4 on her new device has been part of keeping Janet’s mind active. 

“With so many things no longer available to me, radio has become more important. It’s my entertainment and it helps me stay connected to the world.” 

Finding beauty in sound 

Although her vision is limited, Janet values how tuned in she feels to sound, and the joy she can find in it. “I’m grateful for nature. Birdsong is beautiful. I think a lot of people miss these things because they spend so much time looking at screens.”