A FORMER mechanic who had to give up his career after starting to lose his sight has found a new lease of life after enrolling on a computer course at Mid-Cheshire College.
Richard Tonge, 49, of Moreville Close in Kingsmead, says the two-year New Horizon Diploma for IT Users is enabling him to find a positive new role in society, and one in which he hopes to help others who have suffered similar misfortunes.
It was a very different story three years ago when Richard started to lose his sight due to diabetic retinopathy, a disorder of the blood vessels in the eyes which damage the retinas.
'I'd worked as a motor mechanic in Northwich for 20 years but it screwed my career up,' he said. 'To put it politely, I was gutted and sat around on my backside sulking for months.'
As he himself admits Richard, who is now registered blind, needed a 'kick up the backside' and this was provided by wife Julie, who encouraged him to enrol on the New Horizon Diploma.
The course covers all aspects of computing, from spreadsheets to the internet, and having achieved Distinctions in all modules at Level 2, Richard is now progressing onto the Level 3 course.
He said: 'I had help and learning support, as well as equipment and accessibility software. My support tutor liaised with course tutors, ensured that all handouts were printed in large font and gave me extra tutorials to make sure I could access the course materials.
'The college has given me hope and confidence to go on to a new career.
'I'd like to put my situation to my advantage and work within the disabled community. The thing with a lot of charities is that though they are great, the people there don't know where you are coming from because they are not physically impaired.
'I have had to learn quite a lot on my own, but to anyone who has gone from a similar experience to me I must say that there is always an option, whether it be sitting on your backside feeling sorry for yourself or picking yourself up and doing something.'
Pam Ramduny, of the Student Development Centre, said: 'Richard is an inspiration, in spite of his difficulties. If anyone is thinking of starting a course at Mid-Cheshire College and has concerns about studying, please contact me on 01606 720647.'
