There are over 180,000 Kiwis living with vision loss in
New Zealand. For the six people who develop vision loss each
day in NZ it can feel daunting and lonely.
Losing your
vision at any age can be devastating, but for younger
people, with a whole future ahead of them, it can be
especially tough.
Blind Low Vision Week (10-16
October) is all about helping young people with
vision loss say YES to their hopes and dreams.
When
young people are born with no vision or experience vision
loss, it can be devastating for their education and career
prospects. Michael Whittaker was just 29 years old when he
learned he was legally blind. He was planning his PhD in
English Literature, loved running, and had a highly
successful international modelling career. Then he
discovered he has RP (Retinitis pigmentosa) a condition he
describes as having literal “tunnel vision” where he
sees the world through an ever-narrowing opening.
With
the onset of blindness, Michael’s sense of possibility and
optimism appeared to turn on him, the horizons of his hopes
and future shrinking.
Michael’s declining vision
wasn’t just hard to accept, it was causing him physical
harm. He was adapting to his environment just by trial and
error. And in many instances more error!
When Michael
finally connected with Blind Low Vision NZ for help, he was
surprised to find how much help was available to
him.
“It was a huge relief to know that losing my
vision wouldn’t mean I’d lose everything else, too. At
the time, I was just starting a PhD and my career was
beginning to take off. But if I couldn’t see books or
documents, how would I keep studying? How would I work?”
says Michael.
Blind Low Vision NZ supported Michael
with state-of-the-art technology that reads his books and
documents out loud to him. BLVNZ has also given him long
cane training, so he has the confidence to go out in the
world without causing himself harm.
Nearly 60%
of people with vision loss in New Zealand are
unemployed. To combat this increasing number, Blind
Low Vision NZ has developed a dedicated youth programme to
allow young people to get the education, technology, and
confidence boost they need to live their best
lives.
The Employment and Youth Transition
programme, focuses on developing a 21st century
employment programme which will deliver sustainable
employment outcomes for its working age clients and break
down the barriers that still exist within the modern
workforce for people who are blind, deafblind or have low
vision.
According to Head of Youth and Employment,
Sarah Mitchell, who has lived with low vision since birth,
young people experiencing vision loss are often scared and
uncertain of their future.
“We want to give more
young people the confidence to dream big and be audacious
with their goals. Access to counselling and mentoring can
help them through those terrifying early days,” says
Mitchell.
“There are thousands of young people with
vision loss in New Zealand who are missing out on the
education they deserve as they don’t have the adaptive
technology to allow them to thrive and reach their
individual potential.”
“We know that many young
people miss out on employment opportunities as they don’t
have the right technology and tools, in many cases, these
are cost prohibitive. Our programme provides adaptive
technology, training and other learning experiences and
guidance, to give individuals the support they need to start
their careers, and live the life they choose,” says
Mitchell.
This Blind Low Vision Week, you can help
more young people with vision loss, like Michael, to get the
confidence, education and training they need to say YES to
their hopes and dreams. Donate at blindlowvision.org.nz
today.
“A human being is much more than eyesight
alone.” – Michael
Whittaker
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