ISSUES
: The Internet of Things
Chapter 1: Digital issues
23
How the Internet changed my life
Jan Tchamani is one of the 2013 joint Age UK Internet Champions – here she explains
how the Internet has changed her life.
I
always love it when Age UK asks me to put on my
Internet Champion hat and write something about
this subject, so dear to my heart!
I became an Age UK Internet Champion back in
March, and since then – more than ever – I’ve been
championing the cause of getting the over-50s out
there and into the digital wonderland where I spend so
much of my time.
When I’m not surfing the net for useful stuff about
gardening (my newest passion), or gifts for family and
friends, I’m here at my desk writing blogs (a kind of
online diary) or posting photos on Facebook. And I’m
campaigning for the IT needs of the over-50s to be
addressed in Birmingham.
My world would be so much smaller and less efficient
without this amazing machine I’m typing on right now.
Last weekend, my husband Terry and I celebrated our
first wedding anniversary, and the whole delightful
break was booked online: hotel, outings and candle-
light dinners.
I can’t begin to tell you how useful it was to know that,
in spite of arthritic knees and a dodgy back, I would be
able to comfortably manage everything.
How it all started
Ten years ago I was an English teacher in an inner city
comprehensive school in Birmingham. I loved my job,
but I suddenly found myself diagnosed with what they
used to call ‘manic depression’ – bipolar – and I was
no longer able to work.
Fortunately, I had been forced to get to grips with the
Internet. All teachers attend regular training sessions.
And sometimes you get a little extra push. Bipolar
people are creative thinkers, and I remember the day
when the head teacher took me on one side and said,
“Jan – I love all your ideas, but you’re going to have to
email them to me from now on!”. So I had no choice,
and I find that’s often the way of things.
Moving on
So at the age of 50 I found myself out of work, poorly,
and ‘stuck’ at home with only the computer for
company. It was then that the Internet became my
best friend.
Lucky me: even on days when I couldn’t go out or
talk to anyone, I had a way of escape. I could listen to
music, watch films, play adventure games and explore
the world safely. What a blessing that was! And I could
also learn about handling my complex health issues.
I joined Bipolar UK’s ‘online forum’, and typed my
questions into a little box on my screen. Back came a
deluge of encouraging answers from fellow sufferers.
In a forum, you don’t use your real name and you can
really be honest. Gradually, I got back my taste for life.
Freedom for me – but what about the
others?
When you go through tough times, you meet others
who are facing similar challenges. Thinking about
other people’s situations inspired me to want to help.
Once I was settled on a sheltered housing scheme,
I applied for Lottery funding for an IT Club, and
professional tutors to help my neighbours become
confident ‘users’. Last year we ran an Age UK ‘Spring
Online’ event, and this year we’re going to be part of
ITea and Biscuits Week.
I’m very excited: you never know who’s going to walk
in. Last month, 59-year-old Trevor learnt to apply for
work online and now he’s found the perfect job! His
daughter’s off to university soon, but can feel confident
her dad won’t be bored or lonely.
Championing ‘digital inclusion’
What Age UK are doing to get us over-50s online is
vitally important: trust me. Just as not having a phone
20 years ago put people at a disadvantage, not being
online is having the same effect today. And society
needs older people involved! We have so much wisdom
to pass on to the young!
If you’ve never dipped a toe in the water, or you know
someone who hasn’t, please encourage them to come
along to an ITea and Biscuits event. Half an hour will
be enough to convince someone of the benefits.
You and I know that the spirit of adventure is still very
strong in later life! Just because we have creaky knees
doesn’t mean we don’t want to go on learning and
exploring! So go on, give it a try. If you find you don’t
like it, feel free to write to me via Age UK, and I’ll eat
my hat – that’s a promise!
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The above information is reprinted with kind
permission from Age UK. Please visit
.
org.uk for further information.
© Age UK 2016
