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However, tragedy struck for the second time when glaucoma rendered her completely blind at the age of 24 on what should have been one of the happiest occasions of her life – her wedding day. The activist, who received her Lifetime Achievement PoB gong from late comedian and dog lover Paul O’Grady, says more than 1,000 people are facing similar delays. She was never overawed by distinguished people and her forthright method of questioning often succeeded when more deferential interviewees would have failed. Yet, at 72, this remarkable lady plainly relishes life – whether relaxing at the tiny holiday bungalow in Clacton she shares with her second husband, Alvin, dancing the night away (both ballroom and Latin) on the cruises she regularly signs up for, or rubbing shoulders with the great and good in her tireless campaign to promote a better life for the blind. Jill Allen-King, 83, could face a wait of up to two years for her next companion when her beloved dog Jagger, 11, is retired from service.
Drawing on her own experiences of the problems and dangers that face the blind and partially sighted, as well as those with other mobility difficulties and disabilities, Jill has devoted her life to raising awareness of the needs and rights of the disabled, particularly in regard to access to public buildings, and campaigning for these issues to be considered by householders, businesses, councils and the government. The activist had to have one of her eyes removed as a baby due to measles and lost her sight fully aged 24, on her wedding day, due to glaucoma. Ms Firth said: “There is no doubt about the challenges Guide Dogs UK faces following the pandemic, but I was really pleased to hear that Jill has been placed on a high priority list following my lobbying. From ignorance rather than prejudice, this makes people think of the blind as inferior, whereas all they need is help to get from point A to pointB in unfamiliar surroundings.
Mrs Allen-King, now aged 70, spent the rest of her life doing voluntary work and campaigning for blind and disabled people. If it needs a motto, it should surely be the roman one “Per Aspera Ad Astra” through darkness to the stars. Finance is provided by PayPal Credit (a trading name of PayPal UK Ltd, Whittaker House, Whittaker Avenue, Richmond-Upon-Thames, Surrey, United Kingdom, TW9 1EH). To get all the latest news there is a Pride of Britain podcast, PoBcast live on the Mirror and Pride of Britain YouTube, Facebook and Twitter pages at 5pm every Wednesday and catch up on earlier episodes on YouTube and through the Pride of Britain Podcast on Spotify.
A WOMAN who triumphed over adversity after going blind on her wedding day has relived her astonishing life in her autobiogaphy. Yet later, I found out from specialists at Moorfields Eye Hospital that nothing could ever be done about my sight because the optic nerve had been destroyed by the measles. By the mid 1970s, Jill was a fully-fledged member of the Executive Council of the National Federation of the Blind.Most purchases from business sellers are protected by the Consumer Contract Regulations 2013 which give you the right to cancel the purchase within 14 days after the day you receive the item. The 70-year-old grandmother's life changed overnight after she went blind at the age of 24 on her wedding day. Jill has to engage a reliable reader to relay every detailed page, has Braille notes (no easy accomplishment) and in each case needs to retain an accurate grasp of each case.
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