Recently, our residents and nursing manager – Sister Erika Janutsch, gathered at The Lord Somerset Clubhouse to welcome Jennifer Webster, who came to talk to us about age related visual degeneration and how you can adapt and use tools to assist you in remaining independent for longer.
Jennifer Webster was diagnosed with Stargardts disease at the age of 10, a juvenile onset form of Macular Degeneration. She managed to complete mainstream schooling and has a BA Honours from Rhodes University. Married with grown up children she now spends her time helping to find solutions and encouraging others along the journey of vision loss. Jennifer shared her own story and some of the joys and struggles of coming to terms with a visual impairment.
The focus of her talk was to:
- to encourage those who are losing their sight, due to Age related Macular Degeneration or any other eye disease, to not lose sight of their own value.
- to share practical tips and principles that are useful to help you continue doing things you love doing, and to live a full life.
- to share some of the useful support structures which are in place for South Africans who struggle with low vision – including information about where to get gadgets and technology.
- To provide information that could be useful to people and organisations regarding ‘blind friendly’ environments, both physical and social.
The Somerset Care Centre is a brand new, purpose built facility in Somerset West, located within the prestigious Lifestyle and Retirement Village The Somerset. To read more about the Care Centre, click here.
