Doing what makes her happy is Louise's recipe for learning to live with being deafblind. Take five friends, coffee in a cafe, three yoga classes, two grandkids, a teaspoon of swimming, three dollops of work and as many walks as it takes to make a smooth week and Louise's life is full.

I've had my moments, Louise says, especially when I began to lose my sight in my twenties, but I get on with my life and don't make an issue of it.

Usher Syndrome Type II, which Louise has, is rare but hereditary. Her sister in England also has it and, like Louise, has accepted her limitations.

We can have a laugh about it on the phone. The other week I told her I went to get in a taxi - that's how I get to work. I always sit in the back seat, but I walked round to the driver's side because I couldn't see. He said, Oh, do you want to take over? He didn't realise.

Louise finds that many people don't understand that she is deaf and almost blind, particularly as she doesn't look any different to anyone else.

There's a real need to educate people. That's what the Foundation [of the Blind] do so well.

Louise maintains her independence, living alone, going out walking, getting herself to work three days a week. She has three children and two grandchildren who visit.

I think it's what you make of your life. Yoga has helped me get through it, to keep a balance in my life. There are some jobs I can't do anymore. I work as a cafeteria assistant right now but one day I'd like to own my own business.

Maybe that will be massage therapy - another ingredient to throw into Louise's rich life.