Barry’s
Sightline Story
I have the eye condition retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), also called retrolental fibroplasia (RLF) and Terry syndrome, which is a disease of the eye affecting prematurely born babies. I have had no sight at all since birth.
As I get older, I find it more difficult forming new relationships. People have their own lives to lead, I live on my own and my family relationships are quite strained.
Sightline’s telephone befriending service provides me with friendship; I’m so grateful the service exists. It has given me the chance to form a new friendship.
I have to say in the seven months or so I have been speaking to Len, I love the calls – he’s brilliant.
I like music and enjoy listening to dance, house and techno, that kind of thing. I have done some DJ work in the past and Len likes hearing about that.
We also talk about some of the holidays we’ve been on. I went sailing for 10 days out of Liverpool on a tall ship with Jubilee Sailing Trust. What an experience that was; it was amazing!
I also love fishing on the River Mersey and can easily lose an hour or two there; it’s something I find very calming and peaceful.
I love the variety of things Len and I talk about. We have similar music tastes so that always features in our conversations. The next week we might end up discussing childhood memories, it’s so varied and I love that.
Names have been changed to protect identities.
If you or someone you know could benefit from a weekly call from one of our trained telephone befrienders, please call 0800 587 2252 or email us at info@sightline.org.uk to find out more.
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(*0800 numbers are free to call from BT landlines and most mobile networks)