Week 9 in Lockdown - Amy

Week nine already? In some ways the weeks seem to be flying by, but then when I think about the last time things felt normal, it feels like so long ago. Things started to change slightly last week, the lockdown has eased a little. This is really good, but also very complicated and confusing. At least we are heading in the right direction, I just hope so much that it stays that way and that we keep moving forward. The sooner we all get to live normally again, the better. Even though the restrictions have eased slightly, things won’t be back to normal for a long time, if ever. For some people it will never be the same again. We came into the lockdown from one world and we will be leaving it into another. We never expected any of this did we?  

If you have read my previous posts you will know that mentally I have been really struggling with the lockdown. Not being able to go out and keep my mind occupied is not doing me any good. Also the feeling that I have no control over my own life, it makes me feel really uncomfortable and trapped.  In real life I always make sure that I have things to look forward to and that really does help to keep me focussed. In this life, lockdown life, I can’t do that. I can’t plan anything.  So with no real plans, what is there to look forward to? Other than what feels like an imaginary end to the lockdown. 

I have had issues with my mental health in the past, so this isn’t just the usual being fed up and not liking it. Some days I have been really down and depressed. For anybody who hasn’t experienced true depression before, it’s a darkness that takes over my way of thinking. I describe it as a level beyond sadness. And it makes it hard to see the good in things. Even the things that would normally cheer me up, don’t always have much of an effect. On a dark day, the chances are that nothing will really cheer me up. Things may help, but the darkness still comes back quite quickly. Then after a dark few days I am mentally and physically drained. I feel quite numb for a day or so as I gradually start to feel more positive. This week has probably been my darkest week in years. Everything felt so hopeless and like the lockdown would never really end. Luckily I am feeling a lot more positive today, but it has taken me five days to go through the process. Luckily I have some very supportive family and friends to help me through it.  

I have also noticed that when I occasionally go out, I am feeling a lot more anxious. This isn’t just because of the virus, but my usual anxiety related to my sight loss. This may sound strange, but I feel that my eyes have got to used to not seeing beyond the four walls of my house. When I am outside there is so much more to see and I think my eyes can’t quite catch up. There are things in the distance, things that move, the weather and potential dangers to look out for.  When I am in the house, everything is where it is and I don’t really have to use my eyes as much, because I know where everything is. I have got to used to staying in and that isn’t good. I knew it would happen though and it’s really annoying. I have spent so long building up my confidence and now all of that hard work has been undone. I feel like going back to normal is going to be a very nerve-wracking experience.  Even so, it is something that I am so desperate to do sometime soon. 

I really hope that all of my SRSB friends are doing well.  I really hope I get to see you all soon. Xxx

Lockdown. Archery Update - Phil

Due to the coronavirus, my archery training and competitions have unfortunately been put on hold. Both the National competition at Lilleshall and the Para European International in Sardinia were postponed. They may be rescheduled for later in the year or early next year, depending on how we emerge from this pandemic.

I am still doing archery related training exercises to keep muscle memory and to keep fit. I keep in touch with my SRSB archery friends by phone and other clubs via email.

Otherwise, most of my time during shielding, is spent in the back garden with my partner. Thankfully the weather has been good and we have enjoyed sitting out listening to music. My sister has sent me a variety of vegetable seeds that she had spare. I have made some small wooden planters and the seedlings are now growing quite well.

I am hopeful that sometime later this year we might be able to get out and about. Stay well and stay safe.

The Sheffield Royal Society for the Blind - Mary

Mary is the married to Lee, one of our clients. She wrote this lovely piece entitled The Sheffield Royal Society for the Blind a few years ago.

T stands for thoughtful

H stands for helpful

E stands for encouraging

S stands for supportive

H stands for hospitality

E stands for excellence

F stands for fun

F stands for friendly

I stands for interested

E stands for enthusiasm

L stands for laughter

D stands for developing

R stands for reassurance

O stands for optimistic

Y stands for young at heart

A stands for assistance

L stands for likeable

S stands for smiling

O stands for order

C stands for catering

I stands for interaction

E stands for eagerness to help

T stands for trust

Y stands for young children who attends sparkles

F stands for freedom it gives visual impaired

O stands for obliging

R stands for reliable

T stands for tactful

H stands for hopeful

E stands for essential help and equipment

B stands for the blessing of knowing that I can do stuff without worrying about Lee as I know he

is safe and sound

L stands for life changing

I stands for inspiring

N stands for nice people

D stands for discreet which the staff are

These are the reasons I love being part of the family and volunteering for the Sheffield Royal Society

for the Blind.

Mary

Lockdown Poem - Carol

In This Time by Carol Adams

In this time it would be easy to get low

but do not despair so

for we have social media and the news

and you've got lots of time to snooze

If you venture out

without your spouse

it would be very hard

you must be on your guard   

you decide on your fate 

if you go out of that gate

can you see enough to know?

It's easier to just bake dough

to get work done in the house

to give your spouse

jobs inside

and afterwards show them both off with pride

at least it is warmer outside than it is inside

you can get that tan

and make time to do that bulk cook in that pan

feel lucky for what you have

it could be taken away 

don't be daft

come on ninny

just be silly.

Lockdown For Me - Carol

I wake up at some point during the day depending on how I've slept.            

I'd hope that the sun is out so that I can enjoy time in the garden getting a sun tan which I should have got on my holiday to Tenerife. That of course was cancelled.

I love hearing the sounds of the birds singing, the children playing and the occasional neighbour talking.

I also like to hear my husband doing the garden or doodling and tinkering with various tools as he makes items... usually to make my life easier in some way or another.

I sit covered in sun tan cream with a hat and glasses on, a lager in my hand... or sometimes something a little stronger, listening to a book or watching something.

This is all in between going in to sort washing or tidy the kitchen for our next meal.

At evening time we would have dinner while watching something on Netflix or Disney plus.        

On Fridays it is so strange not to be picked up by our lovely driver Dennis on the minibus to go to Mappin Street for the Writing Group.     

So I'd catch up with people on social media, or the phone, and I would take part in my choir session on line. I'd keep up to date with the news and by going on face book etc. 

Friends and family would bring shopping to our front door and the same with Amazon and the chemist.

The best thing about this all is that I get more time to spend with my husband and my gadgets without feeling guilty for missing anything and thinking about where I should be. I can exercise on my treadmill and get fresh air in the garden.

Week 4 in Lockdown - Amy

We are now in week four of lock down in the UK. Things have changed quite a lot since week one. Supermarkets are being more supportive to elderly and vulnerable people and also people who work for the NHS. I don’t think there is quite as much panic buying going on, but supermarkets are playing their part with that by limiting the amount of certain things we can buy. I haven’t been to the supermarket in weeks. My Mum and Dad are doing all of my shopping for me. Every so often I will go for a walk up to the local shops and obviously try and keep my distance from other people. 

The mood of the country seems to have changed a lot over the last few weeks. Everybody seems to be more accepting of it and trying to make the most of it. People are thinking of creative ways to keep everybody’s spirits up. There have been online church services, people singing outside care homes and children drawing pictures to decorate the new hospitals that have been built. Some people who work for the NHS have also been getting some lovely treats recently from various companies. We have also had Clap for our Carers on Thursday evenings. There has been some really heart warming things going on. It’s really nice to see some community spirit and people supporting the NHS in these tragic times. 

There is still no sign of an end to this lock down, which is really bringing me down mentally. But everybody is doing their best to try and cheer me up and remind me how lucky I am. Luckily I have some very patient and understanding family and friends.  

Week One in Lockdown - Amy

As of Friday closing times last week, everything involving any kind of fun has closed. Restaurants, cafes, coffee shops, cinemas, everywhere I live my life really.  

This is the first week of lockdown in the UK, to slow down the spread of Coronavirus. It all just feels so wrong. I feel trapped and like I desperately need to escape.  

In January this year I finished six months of therapy for post traumatic stress disorder, which was partly caused by my sight loss. I have finally got into a good place mentally and now this happens. I need to go out and socialise regularly to keep my mind healthy and happy. I don’t usually have the most hectic schedule, but I do try to go out and do something most days. Staying in the house for more than a few days makes me feel quite down. It is not anything to do where I live, or who I live with, I would be the same anywhere. I just need to be out there and living my life. Luckily I don’t live alone, but I still need to be out, moving around and seeing different people. The thought of doing this for weeks or even months really does scare me. I know things could be a lot worse for me, at least everybody that I know is well. I do understand why this is happening, but staying in for long periods of time really doesn’t do me any good.  That worries me just as much as going out does. There is nowhere to go, nothing to look forward to. I can try and look forward to when this is all over but it seems quite cruel because nobody knows when this is going to end. That is what I really need to know, even if I don’t like the answer, I need a date to work towards and focus on. This might be lowering the risk of catching Coronavirus, but my worry is that it is going to cause major problems in other ways for people, physically and mentally.