Lifestyle
A year in Denmark
By Lucy McLeod, RNZFB member
Imagine hopping on a plane, leaving all that you know and are familiar with, to spend a year in a country half a world away, where you know no one and don't speak the language.
This was a scary reality for me, a 17-year-old student from Wellington. I was selected for the Rotary Youth Exchange Programme where I would spend a year overseas, attend high school, learn a new language and essentially build a new life. To be really honest, I hadn't given it much thought when I was filling in the screeds of application forms, but reality certainly hit me when I was on the plane last January. What on earth was I thinking? Well, it was the best decision ever.
Photograph: Lucy enjoyed spending Christmas in the Denmark snow.
I lived with three host families in Skaerbaek, Middelfart and Taulov and attended the Fredericia Gymnasium in Central Jutland. They were all absolutely amazing, in many different ways. Thank you all Gitte, Ib, Kirsten, Ulla and Jens.
Some may say having a visual impairment (I have albinism) could create certain difficulties; I disagree. I was given so many amazing opportunities whilst in Denmark, all of which I leapt at. Apart from not being able to clearly read the departure boards in airports and stations, my albinism didn't hold me back one bit.
One of my passions is design and I was given many opportunities whilst on exchange to indulge this love of mine. I visited Jacob Jensens showroom in Højslev, one of the most well-known Danish designers. It was so interesting and inspiring for me to see this world famous design up close and personal.
I also got to experience the famous Christmas markets in Germany. The smells of mulled wine (gløgg in Danish), the amazing Christmas lights and decorations were so different to the normal Kiwi summer Christmas I was used to, I loved it!
Early on at school, when lessons went over my head because then I couldn't speak much Danish, I wrote a list of about 200 things I found really different between New Zealand and Denmark. For example, Danish teenagers are paid to go to school and university once they turn 18 and people ride bikes all the time with No helmets.
I also really enjoyed learning Danish - such a unique and difficult language. I want to keep my Danish through skyping and writing to my Danish friends and families.
I've had a wonderful year. Farvel Danmark, I'll return soon.
Photograph: A view over Copenhagen.
Photograph: Two bicycles in the foreground of some colourful Danish buildings.
Photos taken by Lucy McLeod.
Winning gardener shares his tips
Although he claims his garden is "a shambles", member Graham Burtenshaw holds the impressive title of Marlborough Gardener of the Year!
Graham may not be able to stand back and admire his efforts but he still enjoys it in many ways, especially eating his fresh produce in meals prepared by his wife Margaret.
Graham plans his garden so he knows exactly where everything is, making raised garden beds with concrete edging and paths in between for easy access.
He suggests his best crops are silverbeet and broccoli, and says the secret is making all his own organic compost, fertiliser and insect spray.
After a few little mishaps, such as the accidental weeding of his wife's flowers, Graham has his technique sorted!
1. Use plastic bottles or shelters to keep young vegetable plants from wind-damage and pests.
2. Keep vegetable beds straight using a mobility cane as a ruler and your handspan to measure the distance between plants. One span plus a hand width suits most plants.
3. Use bamboo sticks to show where seeds have been planted.
4. Put stakes around anything that is not a weed.
5. Study leaf shapes by touch so you can differentiate between plants.
Graham's final words of inspiration: "Nothing's impossible to a blind person. I think of a project, visualise it and away I go. The Divine gardener helps too".
Spotlight on our services
With our new adult service model in place throughout the country, many of our units on essential blindness skills are gaining popularity. From 'Eating out' to 'Money handling', these short, sharp units are packed full of tips and tricks to make life easier.
In each issue of Outlook we'll put the spotlight on a few of these units, so you can keep up-to-date with what's on offer.
Eating out
Popular with foodies, this light-hearted group session will equip you with additional skills and strategies to make eating away from home an easy and enjoyable experience. For this unit it is recommended that you first complete 'Easier eating and pouring'.
Recreation
In just one hour you can find out about the many recreation and leisure activities and types of specialist equipment available through the RNZFB, as well as recreation opportunities in your community.
Managing glare
If the bright summer we've had this year has caused you trouble, this unit could be for you. You'll come away with a range of simple solutions and strategies for managing glare.
These are just a few of the skill units available through the RNZFB. For more information, or a needs assessment, please phone 0800 24 33 33 and ask to speak to your local service manager.