You can do it too!

By Valerie Cornwall

My husband Ron had a debilitating Stroke when he was 49 years old and I was 47. He spent just over a year in Hospital and Rehab. I then continued to care for him at home.

I suppose you could say that I became somewhat of a recluse, just because I was unable to get out much, as my Husband needed 24 hour care. We were so lucky we had good friends and good family that really cared about us, and helped us all they could.

I was aware of all the things that were happening in the world of computers but just accepted that I was not able to be part of it, simply because I did not understand it! My son's would continually tell me that I should get a computer as I needed to keep up with all that was going on or risk having the world leave me behind. However, I felt that I would not be able to get to grips with it.

I finally got my computer in September 2005 and I have to say that it is the best thing I could have done.

My son Scott has helped me understand it and has been very patient in explaining things to me. I am now able to send and receive emails and this alone has opened up a whole new world.

My friend Jill used to visit us on Sunday lunchtimes and we would chat But several years ago Jill moved away. I missed her greatly and although we would speak on the phone it was often a case of finding a time when we were both free to chat. However, Jill got her computer just before I got mine and since then we have continually kept our discussions going over email

I would never have believed that we would be able to do that It really is amazing! I used to see every one keeping in touch by email and was secretly screaming "Wait for me!"

Ok, as far as I have got is sending and receiving emails and I also know how to get onto the internet if I need to, but if I can get to classes to take me further then I will.

For me it has opened up a whole new world, I have been able to get in touch with my pen friend who lives in New York and whom I have known since 11 years old. Whilst we were once only able to write fairly short letters which we included in our annual birthday and Christmas cards to one another, we are now sending each other two even three e-mails a week. I have probably corresponded more with her during this past eleven months than we did in the forty seven years we were corresponding by post

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