Calibre Member Stories
We've been providing audiobooks for more than fifty years, helping people with print disabilities to connect with reading, find comfort, and reduce isolation. Here, members tell us the difference Calibre has made.
Cathy
Having lost her sight completely in her twenties, Cathy has found the choice for reading she wants through audiobooks.
Peter
Peter, born in a quadruplet, has been visually impaired from a very early age. His membership to Calibre has made it possible for him to experience reading, and spurred him to leave a gift in his will.
Read Peter's full story here
Bryan
Bryan, 91, has been totally blind since 1986 and was extremely short-sighted from birth. Discovering Calibre Audio helped him discover the joy of a good story.
Read Bryan's full story here.
Forrest
Forrest, 28, works in the library and the chaplaincy at the University of Bedfordshire. He has Asperger's and can find text daunting.
Read Forrest's full story here.
Patrice's Story
Patrice has sight and hearing challenges and really appreciates the clarity of her Calibre audiobooks.
Read Patrice's full story here:
Rosamund and Elizabeth
At 98 years old, Rosamund’s loss of mobility and her sight meant a double blow. She could no longer indulge in either of her passions: gardening or reading. Discovering Calibre has opened up a whole new world for her; she and her daughter, Elizabeth, explain the difference it’s made to their lives.
Read Rosamund and Elizabeth's full story here:
Linda
Linda was born totally blind, but the rest of her family is fully sighted. She first discovered her love of books because her mum read to her so much. In 1979, aged eleven, she joined Calibre and is one of it's longest standing members.
Read Linda's full story here:
Gareth
Gareth’s vision has deteriorated over time, but he’s found new ways to keep reading, both for work and pleasure.
Read Gareth's full story, click here
Liz
Liz Bartlett enjoyed a full-sighted life which included extensive travelling and lecturing until she had a stroke, which started a chain of events that eventually left her in a wheelchair and blind in both eyes.
Read Liz's full story here:
Toby
Nine-year-old Toby loves books. Ever since he was tiny, he’s adored stories. Fairy tales; legends of pirates, knights and dragons; heroes and villains. Toby is bright, intelligent and funny. But he cannot read print.
Read Toby's full story here:
Zaki
Zaki's been partially sighted since birth. He's always loved listening to stories with his Mum, Alice, reading to him every night as a child and him keenly sitting next to his kindergarten teacher whenever she would tell a story.
Read Zaki's full story here.