Our people

Volunteer driver helps Stratford members

Volunteer driver and Stratford Community Committee member George Worsley makes his job sound so easy.

"I first got involved with the Foundation through my wife, Noeline. She's been a Foundation member for a good number of years. When I finished up at work as a Coca Cola truck driver, I went on a bus trip with a whole lot of different members. They needed another volunteer driver, so I signed up," he says.

What George doesn't mention is how skilled he is at bringing people together. Shortly after registering as a volunteer, George had an idea to form a travel group. Today, it's made up of around 40 members and meets several times each year. George drives local members to different places in a charter bus. They attend concerts, go shopping, visit the local RSA and get together for meals.

Club member Marion Goble notes, "George is very obliging, and tries to help all he can".

When asked what has motivated him to volunteer with the Foundation for over eight years, George explains, "I've gotten to know a lot of people. And I like helping them to do the same things as me".

Thank you George, for all that you do!

[Photograph: George Worsley and the trophy he was awarded last year for 'continued devotion and commitment']

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Deafblind member sculpts a career

Between 12-14 March, over thirty deafblind members of the RNZFB and Deafblind (NZ) Incorporated gathered for a three-day long workshop in Wellington. The first of its kind in New Zealand, the workshop was designed to provide a forum where deafblind people could grow peer support networks, be encouraged to develop leadership skills, and learn about community services available to assist them.

[Mermaid limestone sculpture by Donald Gibson, in the South Brighton sculpture garden]

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Deafblind artist Donald Gibson was one of the workshop's captivating guest speakers. Born profoundly deaf, Donald grew up in Christchurch and attended the Van Asch School for the Deaf. As a young man, Donald's eyesight deteriorated, and he was eventually diagnosed with Usher's Syndrome. By the time he turned 35, Donald was completely blind.

What is so moving about Donald's story is the way that he has used his deafblindness to shape his artistic career. Communicating via his sister Kathryn Gibson, Donald explains, "I started out painting, but it eventually became quite difficult for me. So then I asked a local potter named Bon Suter if she would teach me to work with clay. I started attending night classes to learn how to use a pottery wheel. Later, Bon taught me to sculpt using stone, and that's what I've been doing for the past 15 years".
Today, Donald lives alone in his Canterbury home with guide dog Harry. He works successfully as a commercial artist, selling stone sculptures and brass, silver and Perspex jewellery through Christchurch's Limelite Gallery. Donald continues to collaborate with Bon, most recently in the sand dunes on South Brighton Beach. There, they have developed a breathtaking sculpture garden.

The main sources of inspiration for Donald's abstract, unique work are nature and life experience. For example, when his former guide dog Lobo passed away, he started making a life-sized angel to go on Lobo's grave. Then, his mother died and Donald decided to use the angel for her memorial.

Kathryn told the workshop audience that "Donald's deafblindness gives him a unique view of the world. He is able to completely focus on the creation of his masterpieces, without distraction. His deafblindness is a pathway to serenity, originality and clarity of purpose".

Kathryn says, "Donald has overcome enormous challenges to excel in his chosen field and he inspires others to pursue their own goals despite the hurdles they face".

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An adventurous spirit

[Photograph: The Spirit of Adventure at sea. Photo courtesy of The Spirit of Adventure Trust.]

Damion Storer-Tilby is an articulate and motivated 16-year-old with ambitions to travel the world. He has retinitis pigmentosa, a condition causing blurry eyesight, but that doesn't stop him living a full and active life.

Based in Whakamaru, 20 kilometres south of Tokoroa with his parents and sister, Damion registered with the Foundation last year. Initially, he did a needs assessment with Child and Family Social Worker Gaewyn Harvey.

Damion explains, "I worked with Gaewyn a lot. I told her about how school was hard because I couldn't see the board. She suggested I apply to correspondence school, and I did. Now I can keep learning and helping out on my family's farm at the same time".

As well as adapting Damion's schooling to meet his learning needs, Gaewyn also helped foster his new affinity for sailing. "Gaewyn helped me apply for a Spirit of Adventure trip, and it was amazing," says Damion.

At the beginning of February, Damion spent several days sailing around the Hauraki Gulf in a Spirit of Adventure boat, which proved to be an incredible experience. Damion describes the trip as, "one of the best things I've ever been

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on. It helps you develop team skills and social skills with other people. Everyone there had some type of disability, so we all had a challenge to overcome. It was interesting to see how everyone fended for themselves".

Damion says, "Each day we took turns to be team leader for the group. I had to put the sail up on the boat and help steer it".

Damion's favourite experience was dolphin watching: "One day we were at the front of the ship sitting right above the water and we could see heaps of them. It was great".

The Spirit of New Zealand at sea. Photo courtesy of The Spirit of Adventure Trust As for his future plans, Damion is already saving up for another Spirit of Adventure voyage.

"I'd like to travel one day, and do something that allows me to see the world."

Child and youth services at the Foundation

The RNZFB offers a range of specialist services to assist blind and partially sighted children and young adults. These include counselling for our people members and their families, recreation programmes, training in how to do everyday activities and programmes to help move around the environment more easily. If you would like to find out more, please phone 0800 24 33 33.

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