A West Lothian man has spoken of the difficulties facing the dual sensory loss community during the pandemic as part of a research campaign, the ‘Touch Post-COVID-19’, conducted by Glasgow University researchers.
Desmond Smith, from Broxburn, says that he had to withdraw from most social activity and contact and was forced to become even more dependent on his care worker Jacqui Knowles during the pandemic. He relied heavily on the sense of touch due to living with dual sensory loss - something that was hampered during Covid-19.
Due to feeling anxious about touching surfaces during a pandemic, it left him feeling less confident and unable to get around. This meant he was essentially restricted to his own home and forced to stay indoors.
