LF is 66 years old and retired. He grew up in Dagenham and moved to Newham over 30 years ago. He has struggled in life because he has been deaf since the age of 12 and at 20 years old had a serious road accident, which left him with brain injuries resulting in a three-month coma. While he was in a coma, he had a stroke which left him with left sided paralysis and memory issues.
Over many years, through “tough love” and care from his parents, he recovered and was able to walk and use his arms. He said “I was very grateful that my dad didn’t accept the help from the hospital because that would have discouraged me from not trying hard.”
Due to this, he was not successful in achieving his goal of completing a degree but instead he completed other courses such as motor mechanic and computer repairs.
LF also has mobility problems which restricts him from attending appointments. He said “I need a face-to-face appointment because I need to lip read to have a conversation, therefore a telephone conversation with DWP is a problem.”
If he has a home visit appointment, he requests a precise time so that he can wait at the door as he otherwise wouldn’t be able to hear the doorbell.
LF was referred to us by his social prescriber to study Digital Skills, through our Training and Education project, which would aid him to complete online benefit forms and to make online GP appointments. Before joining our Charles French funded classes, he had very little knowledge of using a computer other than to use Google.
LF was keen to join our course and is enjoying the class very much and making friends. He joined the course in April 2022, he finds his teacher friendly, patient and very supportive.
LF said “I am more confident in using the computer and the software, which has given me more independence.” He now uses the knowledge to email, keep in touch with his family on social media and doing online shopping
*please note, all names have been changed for data protection reasons.
