Lorraine discovers love of baking after lifechanging eye surgery

Her culinary goodies are going down a treat 

A woman who underwent lifechanging eye surgery to improve her sight has developed a new love of baking – and is wowing people with her culinary skills.

Lorraine Warner, who lives in a two bedroom bungalow at Hft’s supported living service in Evesham, was diagnosed as having cataracts in both eyes following a routine sight test.

Her vision had become so poor that Lorraine, 60, had to rely on support workers to help her prepare meals.

She also relied on the team to help her with basic tasks such as cleaning and needed support in attending appointments and going shopping.

“My sight was really poor,” said Lorraine.

“I couldn’t see well enough to do my housework and I would only venture out to places I knew well. It caused me to lose a lot of confidence and I wasn’t as independent as I wanted to be.

“It was difficult to see to prepare food when cooking meals and I couldn’t watch the television properly as the picture was so blurry.”

Lorraine’s sight was so bad that she even struggled to see her cat Fluffy who shares her home. Her declining vision also meant she had to give up playing football each week at Evesham Football Club’s All Abilities Team.

Lorraine, who has learning disabilities, was booked in for cataract surgery at Redditch Hospital last November.

“I couldn’t believe the difference when I opened my eyes following the operation,” said Lorraine. “I could see colours properly and everything was so clear and bright.”

Lorraine has always been a keen cook, dishing up meals including corned beef hash and spaghetti bolognaise at her home with the help of her support workers.

Growing in confidence, Lorraine decided to hone her skills in the kitchen further – and start baking. Assisted by support workers, Lorraine organised her own ‘Bake Off’, producing an impressive banana bread using left over bananas.

The cake was shared among Hft colleagues and her neighbours. “My brother Alec is a chef, so perhaps baking is in my blood,” said Lorraine.

“I was really pleased with the banana bread and everyone seemed to enjoy eating it. “I would never have been able to bake before I had my eye surgery.

“The operation has been lifechanging in helping me enjoy a new hobby.”

Lorraine, who receives 13 hours of support each week from Hft, has now restarted playing football and going out and about again independently. And she is also busy planning her next baking challenge.

“The banana bread went down so well, I am thinking what I can make next,” she smiled.

“I think the next thing on my list is an upside down cake.”

Harriet Birch, Deputy Service Manager at the Evesham Supported Living Service said: “The cataract operation has been amazing for Lorraine.

“She is so much more confident and it has given her back her independence.

“Before she struggled to see myself and my colleagues arriving for work.

“Now she’s waving at us every day from her window.

“Her cakes are delicious and we are looking forward to the next batch.”