A BLIND mother-of-two says her life has changed forever thanks to a new camera that helps her recognise her daughters.

Diane Sample, of Chilton, was left completely blind after an aggressive onset of Type 1 diabetes which she was diagnosed with as a child.

She also has renal failure and travels to hospital three times a week for four-hour-long dialysis sessions.

When her daughters, Rebecca and Rachel, were inspired by a television soap opera storyline, they began a fundraising campaign to raise enough money to buy their mother an OrCam MyEye camera.

The specialist device clips onto glasses and includes an earpiece that reads out what the camera detects, using facial recognition technology.

After the two sisters reached their fundraising target of more than £2,000, Mrs Sample was able to purchase the camera and has now been living with it for over a week.

"When my mother called to say that we had enough to buy the camera I couldn't believe it," Mrs Sample said.

"She was crying, then I started crying. The girls were asking what was wrong. I just couldn't believe it."

"I can't thank everybody enough, the camera has changed my life. When my girls walk into the room I know which one it is, they used to try and sneak up on me but they can't do that now.

"I used to love reading and for the first time in years I am able to do that again."

June Robson, Mrs Sample's mother added: "Diane has been through so much recently and I just think the camera has been the boost that she has needed."

Mrs Sample has enjoyed shopping since she has had the camera and has been able to choose her own book from the library.

She added: "I tilt my head towards what it is I want to read and the camera picks it up and it comes through the ear piece.

"I'm able to read my own letters now and keep reading random things just because I can. When I was in the library with the girls yesterday I found myself reading the opening times."

Rebecca said: "Sometimes we would all be sat reading and mam would just sit there and ask us questions about our books. Now she can read and we can ask questions about her books."

Rachel added: "It's like a dream come true."

Mrs Sample added: "We would like to thank everybody so much for their kind donations. From local pubs, businesses, schools and members of the public, thank you. And of course thank you to my girls, I wouldn't have this if it wasn't for them."