Sammy’s Story
For years Sammy believed that owning a mobile phone was beyond her reach.
Firstly, she assumed her limited vision would prevent her from effectively using the device and, secondly, the cost of buying and paying its monthly expenses seemed beyond her means.
However, thanks to the support provided by Galloways Learning Skills and Lifestyles team and an Individual Technology Solution grant Sammy’s life took a remarkable turn.
The grant helped to provide a Synapptic phone, which are specially adapted for people with impaired vision, offering unlimited texts, calls and data. And with the collaboration of ITSVIP – the grant people – and Galloways, who provided the ongoing training, Sammy’s life was transformed.
At Galloways Morecambe centre Sammy, who is in her 20s, was helped to set up her contacts, email account and Facebook page and was trained to use the phone’s functionalities and features.
Previously, Sammy had shared her mother’s phone depending on her to dial numbers, send and read messages and emails and upload pictures to Facebook. But her new phone helped her break free from these limitations giving her an independence she had not previously enjoyed.
With her own phone Sammy now has a new world of possibilities at her fingertips giving her a social and digital life she had never experienced.
The highlight for Sammy has been to regularly speak to and check in with her 93-year-old grandad – and when she is on holiday in Benidorm she intends to email him pictures on a daily basis so that he feels to be part of the holiday.
Sammy said: “The Synapptic phone and the training support I have received from Galloway’s has made me feel more connected, independent and empowered.”
Samantha McNulty, of Galloways, said: “Once we had helped Sammy to secure the grant to buy the Synapptic phone it massively improved her independence and helped her communicate with family and friends more frequently.
“After she received the phone, we were able to encourage her in how to use it and give her confidence in transmitting texts and emails. She’s even advised family members how to use their smart phones!”
Once Sammy had provided evidence to be awarded the grant the money also covered the monthly contract with the provider.
Sammy added: “Thanks to the grant and the support from Galloways I have been transformed from living in relative isolation to being connected to the whole of the outside world!”
If Sammy has inspired you to consider the next steps in your technology journey, or you would like more support on adapting a mobile phone to become more accessible for you, why not visit our Assistive Technology section of the Thrive part of this Digital Hub? Or you can contact Galloways for more support.
