My story

http://www.ncbi.ie/files/images/Des-Kenny-Chief-Executive-of-NCBI_0.JPG

Let me tell you a very short story. Imagine a seven-year-old boy. His imagination is lost in the world of play. His life is full: the hustle and bustle of family life, school, friends, a future filled with potential.

Then a tragic playtime accident causes damage to the retina of his left eye. Overnight his life becomes a very different one. Several failed operations later and serious problems with his right eye result in total blindness.

*That child was me*. And this was my new life at nine years old.

I couldn’t go back to my local school and be with my friends. I had to leave my family to attend a special school. The future mapped out for me was now no longer an option. In effect *I had to learn how to live a different way*.

When I had my childhood accident in 1957, my parents were supported by one of the very few NCBI frontline workers in the country.

She helped them *change catastrophe into success* for their child. I gained access to education and learning through specialist services and technology.

Because of that, I‘ve achieved success over 40 years and hold two masters degrees.

*There are many more people like me* who were helped – and will yet be helped – by NCBI.

What i-can can do

NCBI’s services can make all the difference for people confronting sight loss. The i-can Appeal is about ensuring that those vital services *survive and improve*.

Our sources of income are shrinking. Our facilities and services are underfunded and under pressure like never before. But we know there are many more people in need out there.

The i-can Appeal is saying to caring Irish people – "I can":

* I can continue to read and write

* I can stay in touch with friends and family

* I can socialise

* I can have a wonderful career

* I can go to the match, to the theatre, to the gym

* I can be independent

Please consider how you can support the i-can Appeal.

The potential of i-can is real

We have the people. We have the centres all over the country. We just need the vital income to ensure they can continue and grow in number to meet the increasing demand.

If you can make an *enlightened gift of just 23c a day* – €7 a month – or *encourage another to do so*, we can ensure that sight loss is supported by far-sighted services.