Born with a genetic disease that has left her deaf and almost blind, a charity worker has overcome the odds to be nominated for an award helping fellow disabled sufferers.

Emma Boswell, 38, of South Norwood is in line to win Employee of the Year with national charity Sense, set up to help those with hearing and sight problems.

Mrs Boswell, who has Usher’s Disease, has worked in the charity’s Epsom office for five years.

She said: “I am an outreach worker with usher clients. I meet deafblind clients, families and professionals, anyone involved with usher. I deliver usher awareness trainings to professionals, do presentations and talks at an international level and at uk conferences.”

The mother-of-two was diagnosed aged seven and by her early twenties had lost her hearing and virtually all her sight.

She uses a dual trained dog, drew, as well as sign language to communicate.

She said: “She is my very special friend and has changed my life. I have also had a cochlear implant but I am still profoundly deaf, this is as much a part of my identity as it is a part of my condition.”

Mrs Boswell will discover if she has won the award on October 4.