Jo gets invited to Palace party
A woman who is deaf and blind will enjoy a garden party at Buckingham Palace tomorrow as a reward for her work supporting others with similar handicaps.
Jo Stimson, 59, is involved with national charity Sense and was invited to the event by its patron Princess Anne. Jo, who lives near Bourne, said she was delighted to be invited and plans to take along her husband David to enjoy tea and cakes at the party.
She said: “I still feel very in awe of the day but I am so honoured to be asked.”
Jo is registered blind and also started having hearing problems when she was 17-years-old. She was fitted with a cochlear implant about a year ago.
Sense has helped turn her life around by providing a communicator-guide who supported her by going with her on a computer course where she learned braille and how to e-mail. The guide also helps Jo with everyday activities like shopping.
Jo said: “When Sense became involved they provided me with the support of a communicator-guide and helped me learn alternative ways of communicating. I now feel I can be included rather than excluded.”
Jo is now able to support others suffering the same problems as her and e-mails other people who are deaf and blind to chat. She is also involved with Sense events.
