Philips Story
Philip lives in his flat with his wife Dehlia and his guide dog Garth, this is Philips story.
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My name is Philip. I have a hearing impairment and I’ve just recently taken ownership of Garth, my guide dog, I have only partial sight, and he’s never far from my side!
I have lived with my learning disability and epilepsy since childhood, but it hasn’t stopped me doing anything. In fact I don’t focus at all on my learning difficulties, or my hearing and visual impairments. I’m much happier helping other people than receiving help myself! I’m a fiercely independent person.
I’m definitely at my happiest when I’m helping other people. For many years I ran a club for other adults and got immense pleasure from it, only recently with other commitments have I had to stop attending the club.
I am a joker, and I see the funny side of every situation, people have said ‘it’s hard to be down when you’re around Philip, within minutes of talking about all but the most stressful of situations he’s found another funny angle that’s got you laughing again”. Even Dehlia, my wife calls me the Joker.
I take immense pleasure from being part of the ‘4 me about me group’, as a people person I’m in my element when working with my colleagues within the group. I have always enjoyed work and have had roles that have included working on buses and with breweries. Like many people it’s the interaction with my colleagues and the friends I have made that have been the highlight of my working life.
My proudest moment is the day I married Dehlia. We married 14 years ago and one of my prize possessions is the wedding photo that I am preparing to have hung in our new flat. I still get a tear in my eye when I think about the moment I turned to see Dehlia walking down the aisle.
Having friends around me during my life has helped me get through some of the harder times that I have endured; they’ve also been there to cause some of the most awkward!
I would just like to say to people: it’s not always obvious when somebody has a disability, some you can see, and some you can’t, but treat everybody as you would want to be treated yourself, respect everybody.
Although I’m very independent I would always turn to Trust if I needed further help.