Kelly’s Story

Summary:

Kelly, a visually impaired woman from Southport, shares her experiences during the Covid-19 lockdown. Before the pandemic, she led a busy life, working in Liverpool for the Salvation Army at Strawberry Field and enjoying activities like running and tandem cycling. However, when the lockdown was implemented, her life drastically changed. She had to work from home, and all her activities came to a halt due to safety concerns.

Kelly felt like she lost her independence during the lockdown. She was scared to go outside, worried about social distancing, and feared that she might never regain her previous level of independence. She also felt that people with disabilities, including the visually impaired, were not getting adequate attention and support during this time. There was a lack of contact or assistance from health-related organisations or local authorities.

As the lockdown continued, Kelly’s anxiety lessened, and she gradually started rebuilding her confidence. With the help of her partner, Mike, she began going for walks and even resumed running. However, she still faced challenges when it came to social distancing, especially in public places like shops and supermarkets. Navigating public transportation and travelling independently were major concerns for her, as the pandemic measures made it difficult for her to rely on her usual assistance.

Kelly emphasised the need for consistency in social distancing measures at public places to help visually impaired individuals like her navigate and memorise their surroundings. She called for better understanding and awareness from the public and businesses to provide appropriate assistance to visually impaired individuals during these challenging times.

Despite her struggles, Kelly remained determined to find her own way to cope with the changes caused by the pandemic. She hoped that with time, the world would become more inclusive and considerate of the challenges faced by people with disabilities, enabling her to regain her independence fully.