Steven's Story
Steven is 42 and is profoundly deaf. For the last 20 years he has also been registered blind. His life changed considerably in 2006 when he started using Guide Communicator support.
Steven is supported by a team of three Guide Communicators, who are all trained to offer consistent specialist support to meet his particular communication needs, which include an adapted form of Deafblind Manual, hands-on British Sign Language, and clear speech.
With regular visits from his team, Steven is able to continue to manage his finances, shop, cook, arrange medical appointments, socialise and, attend adult education classes.
Steven's latest initiative has been to turn an area of the garden at the flats where he lives, into a productive flower, fruit and vegetable garden. The Guide Communicator team has supported Steven with the practical tasks, such as clearing weeds and accompanying him to the garden centre to buy seeds, but the drive to succeed and to get other residents involved with the project has been purely Steven's.
"Having a Guide Communicator has improved my independence and boosted my confidence enormously,” says Steven. “I have got to know other residents who have helped with the jobs that need more than one person, and I have got real pleasure from making somewhere for all the residents to enjoy."