Over the last 16 years, DBE has supported some inspirational deafblind people who have been loved by our Communicator-Guides and Deafblind Interpreters. Helen Keller is a nationally recognised deafblind person who was born 27 June 1880 in Alabama, America and died 1968, she is clearly the most recognised deafblind person in history and totally inspirational.

Here in the UK, Debbie James and DBE staff have supported many truly inspirational deafblind people who have overcome their disability, living independently requiring communication, access to information and safe guiding to enable them to have their own choice and control over all aspects of their daily lives.

We Remember

DBE has initiated this memorial fund to remember deafblind people we have supported, who we will never forget, they had a caring attitude and always wanted to help others and it seems fitting to create this fund to assist us to enable deafblind people nationally to reach their potential, to try different activities, specialist equipment and provide Communicator-Guides for a special occasion, short break or a trial session.

Debbie states "over the last 43 years working with and for deafblind people, I have known some extraordinary capable and independent totally deafblind people who have been using deafblind manual to communicate, access information and understand the world around them. Deafblindness is a hidden disability, it can bring pity and great sympathy, all deafblind people want is to communicate effectively, guidance to help them make their choices, with empathy and to be valued and live with dignity."

It is with sadness that we remember fondly our DBE service users who are no longer with us:

Varan Navaratnum

RIP 2019

Mary Austin

RIP July 2020.

Bill Dipple

RIP Sept, 2021

Dennis Stringer

RIP March, 2021

John Smith

RIP February 2021

Joyce Rayment

RIP Sept 2021

Thomas Lafferty

RIP 2022

Walter Lehmann

RIP December 2024

Catherine Fields

RIP April 2025

Pauline Brown

RIP September 2025

Pam Watling

RIP November 2025

Alberta Rochester

RIP March 2026

Debbie James states "since I was 16 years old I have supported the most complex deafblind people who lived independently with minimal sight and hearing, only requiring qualified Communicator-Guide / Deafblind Interpreters to ensure they receive effective communication, gain access to information including environmental with safe guiding. These deafblind people listed below are truly inspirational people, they have developed and influenced my knowledge, skills and experience to make me who I am today! They are the UK's Helen Keller's of this world who have created awareness and ensured I have made a difference to deafblind people's lives. I reflect fondly on my memories of them all."

The individuals remembered here are truly inspirational.

Our Trustees for our Memorial Fund are: Debbie James, Jill Johnson and Steph Lehrie.

Anyone who wishes to be considered for the fund, please contact debbie@deafblind-enablement.co.uk or 01733 686969 for an application form.

If you wish to make a donation, however small, we will be truly grateful - our account details are:

DBE Memorial Fund (please use this as the reference)

Sort Code: 40-36-15

Account number: 12866730