From Isolated to Independent: Annie’s Story
- LIHH
- 6 days ago
- 2 min read
Annie, aged 87, was born in Cookstown, County Tyrone, but moved over to Leeds during an escalation in the Troubles. Annie was born deaf and communicates using sign language.
Annie's niece Marian, who lives in Dublin, tells us how support from Leeds Irish Health and Homes has helped her aunt continue to be safely independent.
“When mobile phones came along, WhatsApp and video calls were a real help,” says Marian. “It meant that my dad - her brother - and my sister and I could contact her regularly.”
However, video calls have their limitations. “We’re fortunate that Annie has a wonderful neighbour, who alerted us to some health concerns,” says Marian. Annie was admitted to hospital and remained there for two months.
As Annie prepared to be discharged, Marian faced the challenge of arranging appropriate support for her aunt at home. After a previous hospital stay, Annie had been reluctant to engage with support services.
“Someone at the hospital said they knew someone who worked for Leeds Irish Health and Homes called Jamie,” Marian says. “I contacted him and he got back to me in no time.”
On Jamie’s first visit, he made a video call to Marian so she could see how her aunt was doing: “We hadn’t been getting as many FaceTimes as we used to,” says Marian. He also took a meter reading to help resolve a running dispute with Annie’s electricity provider.
Slowly but surely, Annie took to Jamie. “He has such a fabulous way about him,” Marian says. “He takes her to see the family graves, helps her with all appointments and brings her shopping. He takes her to get her hair done. He’s got the Irish humour, which helps. His visits give her such a lift. It’s given her a new lease of life.”
On one occasion, Annie was in hospital and had a bad reaction to her medication. Jamie went to the ward to reassure her: “I’d never want to take advantage of that, but knowing that there’s someone there ‘on the ground’ in an emergency gives me, my father and my sister such peace of mind.”
Marian adds: “We feel so lucky to have found Jamie. He calls in and checks what bills are there, what’s to be paid, what letters she’s had. He’s a trusted friend to us all. And he has such a kind nature: just this week, he took Annie for a facial for her birthday."
"The fact that he learned sign language in his own time to communicate with Annie says it all. It’s been a real lifeline. Thank you, Jamie, for everything.”
Annie is in good health and has recovered well from her treatment. She remains fiercely independent but her family are hoping to get her back to Ireland for a visit this Christmas. And in the meantime, she knows Leeds Irish Health and Homes is there to help.
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