A helping hand
By Rosalyn Macdonald
Sarndra Tamepo has a passion for living life to the full and helping others do the same.
Ask her for a favour and the usual answer you'll get is: 'Why not? I'd be happy to help!" Sarndra, of Ngati Porou descent, has a bubbly attitude that easily rubs off. She has been through thick and thin, but she's also learnt from her experiences.
Sarndra was happy to help the RNZFB a few years ago by being the face of our 'See the Difference' programme, a regular initiative for donors to support the RNZFB's vital services.
"You know what, I have a story to tell and by sharing it with New Zealand and encouraging people to donate I was helping make a difference to other blind Kiwis," Sarndra says.
Photograph: Sarndra has a laugh with RNZFB Employment Consultant Tom Harris.
Sarndra's story is the journey of an outgoing and inspirational woman who doesn't let blindness prevent her from achieving all that she wants.
She gradually lost her sight as a result of diabetes, which she was diagnosed with while pregnant with her daughter. A few years later her sight had deteriorated completely and she became totally blind. When Sarndra was told she would never see her daughter's face again, she withdrew into despair and total helplessness.
As a mum in her thirties, she had never thought it could happen to her. Sarndra thought her life was over: "I was in a very dark place for a while. All I could think of was what I was missing out on. Even the simplest things were too hard - making a coffee or sandwich, putting on lipstick, or walking out the front door".
But in the midst of her despair, she was introduced to the RNZFB. Sarndra received counselling and was taught special techniques to carry on with her daily life, care for her daughter and find her way around - at home and out and about. Sarndra got her life back.
"I remember coming into the Foundation to meet with my vocational officer. I walked into her office and the first thing she said to me was 'Are there enough chairs in here?' and I said, 'What do you mean? Are you blind?' And she was. It was a real life-changing moment because I realised that despite my blindness I could still have a job, I could still live a life."
After that day, Sarndra decided she wanted to do something worthwhile, so she met with the RNZFB's employment team. Employment Consultant Tom Harris remembers that day clearly: "Sarndra didn't know where to start, but she was hopeful and determined. She wanted to share her story to help others in similar situations. So together we worked out a plan and she's never looked back".
Counselling seemed like the right choice, so Sarndra enrolled in a course through the Auckland University of Technology in 2004.
"It was so hard studying. I read every single word of the text books on my laptop at home - it's hard to skim through when you're blind! But I think I'm better off than some of my classmates for it," Sarndra jokes.
She had the chance to complete her practicum experience through the RNZFB, meeting with new members and talking them through the process, as well as the emotional side of sight loss.
"It was really humbling to be able to play such an important role in someone's life - suddenly losing your sight can be such a scary experience but being able to make that experience better for someone else is just fantastic."
Sarndra's hard work paid off in December when she graduated from her course: "I will never forget that moment when I got my certificate. Apparently I got a standing ovation - ha! I don't know what's around the corner but hopefully I'll be able to give someone else a helping hand".
Photograph: Sarndra shows off her graduation regalia.
Employment assistance
For more information about the RNZFB's employment services please phone 0800 24 33 33 or email employment@rnzfb.org.nz