All my friends in England and Kenya are astonished that I am able to enjoy a conversation with a group of people now and not feel isolated, or on the periphery of a conversation.

It is very easy for those of us who are profoundly deaf to sit back and accept it, write ourselves off as part of a community because "I cannot hear"; however, I encourage everyone to tackle this problem head on! It is exhausting, there is no doubt about that, but it is worth it just to be able to join in a normal day-to-day life!

I am a great believer that if you tell people you have a problem hearing, they will adjust their attitude, speech and thinking towards helping you come to terms with it; it is important not to think of yourself as "disabled" but as a perfectly normal person who has a problem hearing.

If you can persuade yourself, your family and friends that all they have to do is look at you when talking to you, remember that corners pose a huge problem (you cannot hear round them!) and that Patience on their part will be rewarded by an instant response on your part, half the battle is won!

My very best wishes for the 17th October and I hope that it is a great day for you all at Broom Reid & Harris. Thank you for all you have done to help me, and many of my friends who I have referred to you.

S. Jenkins