Chris Parkington

Chris Parkington - 57 married with one grown up son. A teacher and avid crafter before losing her sight, Chris has fought to rebuild her skills, and is now putting them to use in making cards for sale for BlindVoice UK funds.

Appointed a member of the local PPI forum (Patient and Public Involvement in Health), Chris is working as part of a team to help improve health provision in the borough, particularly for the blind and partially sighted. Chris is involved with Viewpoint, is currently doing a leadership course run by PIPS (Public Involvement Partnership in Stockton), and is involved in the improvement of alternative formats to the printed word through her work with COTIS. This has involved her in the assessment of talking newspapers and magazines for the TNAUK Annual Awards.

Chris has links to many people with sight problems through her use of the Internet, has written a booklet  - Continue to Craft - to encourage people who lose their sight to seek out new hobbies or adapt those they already have. In addition, she is a keen fan of heavy rock, and follows one band in particular to all their local gigs!