I had more free time

When I started to bump into things at home, stumble over objects this was usually when someone inadvertedly moved something and I thought that I was being clumsy so I was not duly worried about it.  Our two girls were very young at that time and they would leave toys and books scattered about on the floor but that is what all young children do when playing with their toys. My husband kept telling me to stop rushing about and to take my time! I did not know then that it was because of the eye disease that I was bumping into things and falling over objects.  Nowadays, the first thing that I do is to scan the room or any other room that I enter and take note of where things are even if it is someone else’s home that I visit regularly as you never know if they have moved any furniture around! I will take particular care in noting where the doors are and if they are closed or half closed or open because colliding with a door really hurts; I know because I have done it many times and with cupboard doors as well!

When the girls started school, I felt a bit lost mainly because I found that I had too much free time on my hands so I decided to join the Mother’s Christmas Workshop that led to many other outlets. Far from ignoring my sight and hearing problems, I was gradually learning to live with the problems instead of sitting at home and worrying about it. The experience as the result of my deafness has, I am certain, helped me to face up to my visual problems and though it may seem a paradox, but helping other people to understand my difficulties by talking about them has helped me to overcome many of my problems. One thing that I did mention to my new friends was that if they saw me in town or wherever, they must tap me on my shoulder or even stand in front of me to get my attention as I did not want them to think that I was ignoring them. One lady did, she knew that I had sight problems but did not know that I was hearing impaired too and she thought that I had ignored her when she apparently spoke to me when she saw me in town; these things do happen!

As the girls got older and wanted more freedom to go out with their friends, it was suggested that I join Highfield Bowling Club where Ronald was already a member. I decided to apply for membership and was invited to join. I had already played bowls with Ronald when on holiday in Rhyl in North Wales and really enjoyed playing the game. The bowling club that I joined played in the Chesterfield and District Crown Green Bowling League and though the club did not have many teams playing in the league at the time, it was not long before the club entered more teams due to increased membership.

It was decided to enter a Ladies team; I started going down to the green most mornings to practice on my own and to get to know the green as I really wanted to play for the ladies team.  The practice paid off as I was picked to play with Olga who was a wonderful team player and we played well together. I had to work hard at my game but was able to develop a technique that worked for me but I found it difficult at times especially when playing in bright conditions and would usually end up with a severe headache.  After a few years, Ronald was ready to pack up because of health problems and I decided to join him as I was no longer enjoying the bowling scene. I’d experienced some resentment from some other players and have just about had enough.  Ronald and I have always been grateful to the many friends that we made on the bowling circuit and we still keep in touch with the bowling club.