Northampton charity NAB seeks donations to support visually impaired locals like 12-year-old Kye this Christmas
How would your Christmas change if you could not see? Would you miss the twinkling lights and the joyful faces of your loved ones? Would you struggle to prepare the all-important roast dinner?
For some people in our community, Christmas will never be the same after losing their sight; Missing out on experiences we often take for granted and struggling with loneliness, which is felt most strongly during the festive period.
At NAB we invite you to consider giving a gift this Christmas time to help those in need in our community.
How can you make a difference this Christmas?
You could make a donation to NAB on behalf of someone instead of buying a gift.
Or, swap your weekly December shop-bought coffee for ones made at home. Donating the £20 difference could fund a community support visit for someone struggling this Christmas.
If you want to help in-person, giving up just a couple of hours to befriend someone living with sight loss could make the world of difference during the festive period and into 2025!
Who would you be helping?
Nystagmus is an uncontrollable movement disorder of the eyes, either side to side, up and down, in circles, or a combination of these. It affects around 1 in 1000 people. Those with nystagmus describe the eye movements as a ‘shake’ or ‘wobble’.
One of those with nystagmus is 12-year old, Kye, who has been supported by NAB since he was just 6-months old.
He is severally visually impaired, uses a cane to get around, and still struggles in unfamiliar surroundings or when there are obstructions on the pavements such as parked cars or bins.
Kye’s mum, Lizzie, said: “I was scared when he was first diagnosed. I didn’t know what the world would be like and I didn’t know what the world would be able to offer him.”
Lizzie said that Kye sometimes missed out on being able to do things, particularly in school holiday times, as it can sometimes be too busy for him.
“It’s hard because you want [your children] to have everything and to think that anything is possible for them - you don’t want them to miss out. When you know they can’t do things it does make you feel like you’ve hit rock bottom.”
NAB runs events specifically for children including rock climbing, sledging, bowling, and Christmas parties.
Kye attends lots of these events and Lizzie has used NAB to ask questions, get advice and receive support.
Lizzie said that attending NAB’s family events have really boosted Kye’s confidence.
“It’s so nice to see all the children smiling.”
Don’t forget that your donation, no matter how big or small can help those who are visually impaired to live as independently as possible.