HELEN PATTEN, who has been blind since six months old, explained what it was like to be sightless, to Rye and District U3A, at their July meeting, in the Rye Community Centre, Conduit Hill on Monday, July 21.
Helen, who had been educated at special blind schools, took a degree in English at Oxford University, becoming a teacher first at Cheltenham Ladies College and later at Tunbridge Wells Grammar School.
In 1981 she was selected for the Anglican mi
nistry, becoming a priest in time with her own parish in Derbyshire, later coming to Sussex as chaplain at St Michael's Hospice, St Leonards-on-Sea. Since retiring she has assisted locally at Pett, Fairlight and Guestling.
Being blind, she has wanted to do the same things as everyone else, but in a different way. She talked of the great importance of Braille - it had enabled her to take a degree, to teach and to preach. She has been able to read widely and to follow her passion for choral singing.
The speaking computer was a blessing to blind people. She had also come across speaking thermometers, a weight machine with three volumes, and even a reading machine.
Her new young guide dog, Ingle, enabled her to go out, cross roads and visit shops and friends. She also had with her in Rye, her recently retired dog, Jester, who was now 14-years-old.
What she wanted was to be treated as a normal person. She didn't want to be a passenger, but to be someone who played their part, which is what she had enjoyed both as a teacher and a minister.
Rye U3A will not be meeting until the annual meeting on October 20, although many of the activity and learning groups will continue to be active over the summer; details of membership from Sheila Maddock on 01797 224418.
