Great Western Coffee Shop

Some of you may have noticed that I have not posted much on the forum recently. Unfortunately the reasons for this are medical.

 I was diagnosed with glaucoma in 2007 and since then it has gradually progressed. I contracted a mild dose of COVID in June last year and since then my eyesight has got very much worse indeed. I find reading screens more difficult, especially on sites like this where difference in contrast between text and background is not high

I also have greater difficulty in seeing enough of the keyboard to type, and can only do so in certain lighting conditions. Long posts, often a trademark of mine (!) now tend to be too long to be feasible

So please rest assured that I am still around and reading most of the new content as it appears, but I am more likely to be a more passive member in the future,

Robin Summerhill

Sorry to hear this Robin, but please that you will remain as a viewer

Robin, so sorry it's progressed like this, though you and I knew it would.   I have spotted you viewing from time to times aware you're here and have been reading.  There are some marvellous "read this to me" apps these days so that should help you viewing.  Please let me know if I can help with any tweaks (such as another site style).


We, and the moderator and admin team understand / appreciate this. With your permission and if you chose, we can quietly tidy up posts from raw text


Friends still here - hope to see you in person as it gets a bit warmer for this year, and I can pass on news and views
- Graham

I am sorry to hear of your poor sight. Two suggestions that might help.
Firstly obtain a PC keyboard with enhanced visibility, this should ease typing.
Secondly consider a larger than normal PC display, this may make reading text easier.

More detailed help and advice may be obtained from the RNIB, who help those with poor sight, not just the completly blind.

How are you feeling Broadgage? Have you managed a drop of (medicinal) Port?

No port as still in hospital. A blind eye might be turned to a little beer, but I felt that port might be unwise.

Returning to our member with poor sight, one of these keyboards might help ?
https://shop.rnib.org.uk/technology/computers/keyboards?sortindex=1 (https://shop.rnib.org.uk/technology/computers/keyboards?sortindex=1) Selection from Amazon.

I'm sorry to hear that, Robin, but hope we will still be able to enjoy your musings, especially on the days of railway long ago. As others have said, there are some splendid technical aids, from the screen magnifier in the Windows Accessibility menu, through text reading and dictation apps, to things I don't know about.

My own eyesight journey lags a few years behind yours, with the glaucoma held at bay for now. My left eye is slowly deteriorating, but the cataract on my other eye has corrected my longsightedness. For the first time in years, I can legally drive without glasses, but it won't last.

Or................https://shop.rnib.org.uk/keyboard-stickers-large-print

Sad to report that Robin passed away later in February - I have posted an obituary for members in Frequent Posters (http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/27553) where you are welcome to follow up.

Very sad news, but even more so after his opening post
Thoughts with his family and friends
May he rest in peace