Shirley has age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Like 39,000 other people, Shirley uses RNIB's Talking Book Service.
Literature is my great passion
"I have age-related macular degeneration but think I got it rather earlier than most. At first, it was only in one eye and then I got it in both. This meant I lost the focussing power of my eyes and therefore couldn't read, drive a car, see faces or really see what I was looking at.
I was distraught and very angry at first. I thought why should this happen to me? All my life I have belonged to book clubs and reading groups - literature has been my great passion. At a point when I thought I would be able to really enjoy feasting on some great literature. I suddenly faced a very different way of life.
It was such a relief to find out about RNIB's Talking Books Service. It's so valuable to me. It really does mean a tremendous amount. I read every night in bed - it's my most consuming interest and always has been. The books are read by wonderful actors and actresses who really bring them to life. Often listening to a book can actually enhance the enjoyment from reading it yourself. That is a big consolation, as some of the readers are excellent - they really are.
I'm so grateful to RNIB
I'm so grateful to the charity for giving me back the retirement I'd always looked forward to. Thanks to RNIB enjoying a good book, or critiquing a bad one, is something I can still enjoy without having to rely on anyone else.
I have left a gift to RNIB in my Will because of how Talking Books increase the quality of my life. There must be plenty of people in the same position as me and I'd like others to be able to have this solace as well"