Norma's story

Norma is one of nearly half a million people in the UK living with age-related macular degeneration. Her radio from BWBF has helped her find joy in the music she once held dear. 

A life-changing diagnosis

“I can still hear the doctor saying to me: ‘I’m very sorry, at the moment there is no treatment’.”  

For Norma, losing her sight was life-changing. 

“I could be walking in the street and walk straight past someone I know. You learn to adapt, but it can be embarrassing.” 

Reconnecting with music, through BWBF 

For years, Norma found pleasure in her eclectic music collection.  

“I like everything from Billy Joel to Queen,” she says. “My son’s girlfriend once said: ‘I can’t believe your mother plays Lily Allen records’. But I’ll play anything if I like it.” 

But Norma’s worsening sight meant she struggled to use the very thing she once took for granted - her radio.  

“I kept pressing the wrong buttons and having to say: ‘Help! I’ve messed it up again.’ For two years I wasn’t able to play my CDs.” 

For someone like Norma, BWBF’s new Concerto 3 was the perfect solution: a specially adapted device she could use independently to reconnect with a beloved CD collection that had been gathering dust. 

“My CDs used to give me real joy. I was seriously thinking of getting rid of them. But no, I’ve got my life back now!  

Sharing the joy with others 

“I do value the independence of having something I can do for myself. All the yellow buttons make such a difference. I couldn’t live without my radio. It’s on all the time - all day. It’s like company.”  

Spreading the word Norma was so happy with her radio she turned her attention to making sure more people know about BWBF’s service.  

“There are lots of things out there for partially sighted people,” Norma explains, “but this radio has really helped. It’s changed my life. If more people knew about what BWBF does,” she says, “it could benefit so many.”