Community Activities
Glynis Long has been a Funeral Arranger at James Brown & Sons Funeral Directors, Whiteabbey, near Belfast, since May 2018.
Glynis and her brother have both been diagnosed with a rare hereditary condition, Stargardt’s disease, which affects their vision.
Glynis explains: “My right eye has no central vision and, in my left eye, I have an arch of missing vision.
“My main challenge is that I can’t see very small writing. My colleague, Jean, is very supportive and has helped me to enlarge information and put it onto yellow paper, which makes it easier to read.”
Glynis is positive about Funeral Partners’ support: “When I started, a full assessment was completed in conjunction with the Department of Communities’ disability at work team and identified equipment that would assist in my role.
“I have a large font keyboard with bigger buttons and can have text to speak. I also have an enhanced reader with a large screen, so paperwork is reflected onto this and I have a magnifying glass for reading small print.”
Glynis also experiences difficulties with poor lighting and cannot drive in the dark. She says: “The white lighting in the branch is great. I am still able to drive during daylight hours but, throughout the winter, I am taxied to and from work. The Department of Communities pays most of the cost.
“Anything I have needed from Funeral Partners has been provided without delay; the support I have received has been fabulous.”