Distance learning has been a struggle for many people during the Covid-19 pandemic, but it has been a particularly challenging one for Dawn Hopper.
The 42-year-old was diagnosed with glaucoma three years ago and is now registered as severely visually impaired.
Before the pandemic started in March 2020, she decided to learn Braille.
“When the lockdown restrictions were put in place, it was a choice to end classes or move on to braille learning remotely,” she said.
“It was quite a challenge, but I knew I really wanted to get through it, so I persevered. It is important for me.
“It’s hard, like learning a new language.
“But for me, my goal is to be able to read in peace again.”
Glaucoma is a common eye condition that causes damage to the optic nerve.
Losing her sight made it difficult for Dawn to continue reading or writing in print. Learning Braille changed that, she said.
The writing system is based on variations of six raised dots arranged in two columns of three.
Variations on the six dots represent the letters of the alphabet, punctuation marks, numbers, and groups of letters.
“I use a Perkins Brailler to write Braille. It’s very different from using a pen,” Dawn said.
“It’s a bit like an old-fashioned mechanical typewriter, except instead of using ink, it punches raised dots into the paper that you feel.”
Braille was invented by Frenchman Louis Braille in 1829. He went blind after developing an eye infection at the age of five.
Wednesday is Louis Braille Day, the anniversary of his birth.
Technological advances, including the development of computers that can speak, have led to a decline in braille literacy.
However, the Royal National Institute of Blind People in Northern Ireland (RNIB) said the system was “as important as ever”.
“Audiobooks are great, but there’s nothing like enjoying a book in peace and quiet. Hearing the book in your own voice,” Dawn added.
“I suppose it’s just what I’m used to, having used my eyesight to read until my glaucoma diagnosis.”
Dawn now passes her skills on to others. She recently taught her 10-year-old goddaughter, Lyra, to read Braille.
Dawn, who lives in County Antrim with her husband Simon, now volunteers with the RNIB to help raise awareness of vision loss.
“I feel fortunate to be able to bring some of what I’ve been through to those who may not know about it,” she added.
“Hopefully, as people learn more about vision loss, society will change and the barriers that blind and partially sighted people face will be broken down.”
In addition to learning Braille, Dawn decided to get a guide dog to further enhance her independence.
“His name is Mickey. He’s brilliant, he’s my lifeline. We get to know each other and he is part of the family.
“He’s so friendly and handsome.”
Mickey travels with Dawn, which her diagnosis prevented her from doing.
“We take the community bus together. That means I can go to the places I want to go, feel safe and have a companion. It was a relief.”
The RNIB has over 10,000 Braille library master files from which to create a book, and also transcribes magazines and TV guides into Braille.
Robert Shilliday, RNIB’s Northern Ireland country director, said Braille offers people with visual impairments “independence, knowledge and freedom”.
“You can also use braille to read kids a bedtime story or presentation at work, read sheet music from braille sheet music, or play games like braille monopoly, scrabble, and cards,” he added.
Dawn said developing the new ability has helped her look positively to the future.
“Just because my eyesight has changed doesn’t mean I have to stop doing the things I enjoy,” she said.
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