5 November 2007

A blind Taupo woman who juggles running a business, raising two teenage children and doing hours of community work has been named the 2007 Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind (RNZFB) Chairman’s Award recipient.

Antonia (Toni) Sharp, 39, was kicked in the face by a horse when she was just 13 years old.  The accident left her completely blind.

RNZFB Chairman Don McKenzie says, “This award recognises personal achievement and success in the community through outstanding professional or community service.  This year’s recipient is an impressive lady who, one day at the age of 13 could see and the next day she couldn’t.”

Despite her accident, Toni went on to gain School Certificate and University Entrance, and was also one of the first two blind exchange students, spending July 1986 to July 1987 in the United States.

Today she manages Sharrp Kitchens, a business she started in June 2001 with her then husband Graeme.

“Toni is a living example of the persistence and steadfastness that inspires others, and she is using her considerable talents for the benefit of those about her.  I salute her contribution to building better communities through her own personal development.  Toni is an example to us all,” says Don.

Toni has been an active member of the RNZFB Taupo Community Committee since the early 90s and is now Chairperson.

In many places across New Zealand, these community committees are the “local face” of the RNZFB, supporting the Foundation’s work for the needs and rights of blind, deafblind and vision-impaired people.  Toni has worked to coordinate local fundraising for the annual Blind Week and Red Puppy appeals.

Toni has also been a member of the Taupo Toastmasters since 2001.  She has achieved her Advanced Toastmaster Bronze Award and is now halfway to the Advanced Silver Award.

As a member of the Taupo Toastmasters committee, she has taken on a variety of rolls including President, Secretary, Vice President of Education and is currently the Vice-President Public Relations.

Each year the RNZFB's Chairman is faced with the challenging task of selecting one person who, through their professional and/or community service, has made an outstanding contribution to the blind community.

The RNZFB is New Zealand's primary provider of vision-related rehabilitation services to approximately 11,700 blind, deafblind and vision-impaired members.  Just one-third of the RNZFB's $22m annual operating budget comes from Government sources. The RNZFB has to fundraise the rest.

Ends

For further information please contact:

Teuila Field, RNZFB Communications Coordinator, ph: 09 355 6906 or 021 810 003
Caitlin Sinclair, RNZFB Communications Coordinator, ph: 09 355 6884 or 021 802 095