Rosamund and Elizabeth's Story
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.
Mum’s been a member for maybe 6 to 9 months, after Norfolk County Council mentioned Calibre. There wasn’t a huge amount of choice at the library, and we didn’t want ear buds as mum has a hearing aid. She needed a machine that wasn’t too technical; she can’t see the buttons if they’re very small. Her Calibre box is perfect. It sits beside her, and she can plug the USB in fairly easily and then she’s away.”
“I love what I call ‘country books’,” explains Rosamund, “people’s real-life stories of life in the countryside. I’ve always enjoyed those. Autobiographical but with a strong narrative. I’ve just listened to Gerald Durrell’s ‘My Family and other animals’ which I read many years ago. It’s been lovely to revisit that.”
“I offered to read to Mum, and I did read the paper to her, but I think when it came to books, she wanted the independence she’d always had,” says Elizabeth. “She didn’t want me to feel obliged to be reading to her either.”
Rosamund agrees: “Audiobooks enable me to be independent – it’s like picking up a book.”
“Mum really looks forward to hearing her next book drop through the letterbox. It’s quite exciting when the postman comes – we haven’t a clue what it is – you might just see the title or a few words. Like a lucky dip!”
Elizabeth continues: “I’ve let Calibre know the types of books Mum likes to listen to – categories, like poetry, country-life books, and we’ve suggested some authors but no specific titles.”
“I listen for a couple of hours every morning and then another two hours in the evening,” says Rosamund. “I probably get through at least two audiobooks in a typical week, and I love that they often overlap, so I’m rarely without a book.
“It’s made a vast difference to my days. It’s opened up a whole new world for me. I lost my sight about a year and a half ago. I’ve got a magnifying glass and magnifying sheets and daylight bulbs, but it’s just too tiring and I couldn’t relax. I’d definitely read as much if I had to pay per book. I love it.”
Elizbeth agrees: “It’s had a big impact on Mum’s life. She’s 98, her mobility is very much restricted now, but her mind is completely sharp. It was bad enough when she had to stop her other great passion – gardening. But it was soul-destroying to see her other lifelong passion – reading – being taken away from her too. She was very lonely.
“She needed more stimulation – a different dimension. Family members visit and she listens to her music, but she missed her stories.
“As she says, they open up her world. She’s no longer confined to her chair (she can get up and make a cup of tea, but she can’t stand for very long) but she can go into a different world – just like you do when you’re young and able-bodied. When you’re reading – disability doesn’t count. You don’t feel on the edge of society so much. I think you can feel cut off – dependent and isolated. Now I know Mum feels more involved with life thanks to her audiobooks.
“I’m living with Mum now (I had a housefire and my pets and I moved in for about four months; now they’re back at my house but I’ve stayed on). Now I can go off and walk my dog without worrying. Mum will say “take your time” and I know she genuinely means it, because while I’m gone she can pop her audiobook on and ‘escape’ into a different world. (When I come back, she feels obliged to stop listening and chat to me!) As she says, it’s great company having another voice in the room with her.
“Audiobooks have made her life so much more interesting and happier. Thank you, Calibre!”