AN EAST Dunbartonshire-based charity devoted to helping deafblind people is set to be recognised by the Scottish Parliament.
Deafblind Scotland met with Rona Mackay MSP last week to update the elected representative on progress on of building a 710 square metre centre in Lenzie, at its Field of Dreams site.
The Field of Dreams has been an ambition for nearly 10 years with fundraising now almost at the £1.5million target. The plan is to build a state of the art facility for deafblind people.
Ruth Dorman, Chief Executive, and Suzanne Abbate, Operations Manager of Deafblind Scotland met the MSP during Deafblind Awareness Week and confirmed that work was scheduled to start next month.
The Strathkelvin and Bearsden MSP has submitted a motion to the Scottish Parliament to praise the work it has done.
Ms Mackay said: “Having to endure life with both blindness and deafness is unimaginable. It’s difficult for anyone to imagine the struggle individuals go through on a day-to-day basis.
“Many people lose their sight and hearing at different times, some have a loss of one from birth and acquire the other loss, there is a spectrum of deaf blindness and this can vary greatly.
“I am so humbled by the experiences and work Ruth and Suzanne have told me about. I fully endorse their work. Deafblind Scotland has done so well to get to this point and I wish them the best of luck for starting the construction of the new facility in Lenzie.
“During Deafblind Awareness Week I submitted a motion to the Scottish Parliament commending the work they do and are set to continue on a larger scale.”
Ruth Dorman, Chief Executive of Deafblind Scotland, said: “It’s important as many people know about the struggles people living with degrees of deafblindness have to go through on a day-to-day basis. WE’d like to thank Ms Mackay for submitting a motion to the Scottish Parliament — this helps raise awareness of the challenges deafblind people face and the work we’re doing.”
For more information about Deafblind Scotland and what people can do to help visit www.deafblindscotland.org.uk.