A GREAT Sankey grandma shared her dramatic experience of sight loss with guests at a House of Lords reception hosted by Action for Blind People.

Talking to an audience including health service professionals, Linda Bancroft was one of 10 blind and partially sighted people invited to raise awareness of the need for guidance and support when someone is newly diagnosed with sight loss.

The 60-year-old explained: “Imagine being told you’re losing your eyesight.

“You walk out of the eye clinic in a panic. Will you be able to continue driving? Will you lose your job?

“These are devastating, confidence-sapping questions – made worse when there’s no-one to provide help and advice.

“I was asked by Action for Blind People to share my experience with guests, showing that through a service provided by Eye Clinic Liaison Officers (ECLOs), guidance can be made available to help you adjust to the life-changing news that you are losing your sight.”

Linda, who lost her sight six years ago following a road traffic accident, thought her life was over when she became blind until she contacted Action for Blind People.

Since then, she has received the training and support she needed to get her life back on track and is now a Trustee for Action’s partner charity RNIB and wants to help make sure that all blind and partially sighted people have access to help at the early stage of diagnosis.

l For information about services call 0151 702 5700 or e-mail ActionNW@actionforblindpeople.org.uk.