BBC Radio 4 LW

Between Ourselves

Discussion & Talk

Factual: Life Stories

Series bringing together people who have had profound and similar experiences

Series bringing together people who have had profound and similar experiences to hear their individual stories and compare the long-term effects on each of their lives

Between Ourselves: Series 5

Between Ourselves: Series 5: Episode 1

Episode 1

Series 5

BBC Radio 4 - Between Ourselves, Series 5, Episode 1

Olivia O'Leary talks to two women who both went completely blind in a matter of weeks.

Olivia O'Leary brings together people with similar experiences. Two women who went completely blind in a matter of weeks tell their stories.

Olivia O'Leary presents the series which brings together two people who have had profound and similar experiences, to hear their individual stories and compare the long-term effects on each of their lives.

Two women who went completely blind in a matter of weeks tell their stories. Julie Coakley was studying art as a mature student when what she describes as 'man flu' laid her low for a couple of weeks. One day she collapsed and was rushed to hospital, where she was diagnosed with meningitis. As a result she completely lost her sight and some of her hearing. At the age of 19, Jill Daley was living in Switzerland, working as an au pair, when complications with diabetes began to interfere with her vision. Very quickly her sight was completely destroyed.

Jill has had 14 years to adjust to her sight loss, while Julie is just two years into her journey. Both discuss the impact that going blind has had on them and their families. Have they been able to embrace the 'blind world'? How have they coped practically and psychologically with this huge upheaval? What have been the biggest challenges?

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Olivia O'Leary brings together two people who have had profound and similar experiences

Olivia O'Leary presents the series which brings together two people who have had profound and similar experiences

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