By Steph Johnson

Last updated at 10:58, Saturday, 13 June 2009

Nella Black has published her first book of poetry despite the fact that she’s 96, blind and deaf.

Nella Black

The book is a celebration of Nella’s life, which is a story of determination and a fight for independence.

Deaf since the age of three, she had limited vision up until about 12 years ago.

From the age of 12 to 34 she looked after her mother, who had suffered two strokes.

But when she died, despite the fact that Nella had been the carer in the relationship, it was decided that she was not capable of living alone.

She was sent from Eastriggs in Carlisle to live with her brother in South Africa. During her ten-year South African exile she was put in a home there and had a failed romance with a man who was also deaf and blind.

His brother would not let the couple marry because he said it was ‘indecent’.

With help from a charity and a friend, Nella was eventually allowed to return to England. She managed to make her way back to Carlisle and for the last 48 years has been living in Harraby.

Nella has been writing poems since she was 21, keeping them safe in a box and hoping that one day they would be published.

Her ambition has finally been achieved and Poems from my Life is on sale at W H Smith and Waterstones. The realisation of Nella’s dream has been a team effort from her friends, Oriel Temple provided the illustrations and Brian Rudd designed the layout. Nella is able to communicate thanks to a friend who signs questions onto her hand.

She told the News & Star: “I’m pleased with the book, it’s turned out very well.”

And if the public agrees Nella will be able to fulfil another desire and help others with disabilities because the proceeds from Poems from my life will go to Deafblind UK.

First published at 09:02, Saturday, 13 June 2009
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk