62 year old blind veteran Keith learns a new craft at Llandudno centre
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27 January 2017 11:00
62-year-old Newport blind veteran Keith joined the RAF in 1972. Discharged in 1978 he went on to work at Llanwern steel works and later in sales.
Due to his sight loss as a result of his Type I Diabetes Keith retired in 2014 which is also when he started receiving support from Blind Veterans UK.
Keith played rugby in his youth and enjoyed caravanning and skittles thereafter. Since losing his sight he has looked for new activities to keep him busy when not being entertained by his six grandchildren. Booked in for a week’s stay at our Llandudno centre last week, Keith has spent some of his visit learning skills to help develop new hobbies. Last week he joined other members and together with our art and craft staff Keith learnt how to mosaic.
In his time with the charity Keith has visited the Llandudno centre six times for tailored weeks such as learning how to use new technologies and even an adventure activity and sports week.
Keith uses one word to describe his favourite part of visiting the centre – “comradeship”. He adds: “When you’re there the atmosphere is just like being back in the Services with the added element of everyone being in the same boat with sight loss.
"The best thing Blind Veterans UK has given me is my confidence back. I remember first going and I was a jabbering wreck wanting to go home. Speaking to other blind veterans and trying out all these new things like mosaicing has made me realise there’s so much more I can still do. I’ve lost my sight, not my mind."