Profiles
Page 20
Focus on employment
After a successful period on a work placement scheme, Michael Bardrick is now in permanent part-time employment and loving it.
"Now that I'm in paid employment, I can show that vision-impaired people are not only capable, but they can also be independent," says Michael.
In 2000, Michael went on a two-year Mainstream employment programme placement at the ISIS Centre (part of the Otago District Health Board) as a Clerical Assistant.
"At the end of the placement, my supervisor told me that I was doing a great job and offered to keep me on as a permanent staff member," says Michael, who now provides relief work on reception.
"This is the goal of Mainstream placements, to gain either permanent or full-time employment. Six years later I'm still at the ISIS Centre, and it suits me perfectly," he adds.
The Foundation provided blindness awareness training for Michael's colleagues and has helped ensure he has the tools he needs to do his job. A Miniguide - a device which uses ultrasonic echo-location to detect objects and vibrates to indicate their distance - lets Michael know when people approach the reception area. ISIS has also used contrasting colours in their offices to show the location of doors and entrances.
In the 2006/2007 fiscal year, the Foundation's Employment Services team helped approximately 140 members find work, retain work, or provided support when at work. Our members work across more than 80 sectors, from the farm to the boardroom. To find out more about the Foundation's Employment Services please contact Thomas Bryan on email: tbryan, phone 0800 24 33 33 or visit www.rnzfb.org.nz/workopportunities/employmentservices
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Pedalling to Beijing
They say the best thing to do when you fall off your bike is to get straight back on. So when blind cyclist Jayne Parsons fell off her bike and broke her collarbone at the Paracycling World Championships in France last August, she didn't let it get in the way of her dream.
Jayne, who is totally blind, is set on winning gold at the Beijing Paralympics later this year. She is so dedicated that she has moved from Waikanae to Christchurch to be closer to her tandem captain Annaliisa Farrell.
Getting back on her bike is a metaphor for Jayne's philosophy on life. She believes that when life deals you a blow, it's what you make of it that counts.
"I like to tell people that you can get on with your life instead of feeling down in the dumps. You get two choices in life: you die or you get up and carry on with your life, and that's what I chose to do."
Jayne and Annaliisa's training for Beijing has included several international competitions, and the pair consistently bring home medals. At the American Regional Championships in Colombia last November, Jayne and Annaliisa came second in the pursuit, crossing the finish line hot on the heels of the current world champs from the UK.
In December, they blitzed the Christchurch Festival of Cycling, beating their able-bodied and sighted opponents by nearly six seconds. At the time of Outlook going to print, the pair were preparing for the Australian track nationals in Sydney, another event that will see them competing against able-bodied and sighted cyclists.
As if all that isn't enough to keep her busy, Jayne also juggles five children, two grandchildren and runs the carpet cleaning company that she set up with husband Brent in 1994. Phew!
Page 22
Meet the first blind Councillor in New Zealand
When Lance Girling-Butcher was elected to the New Plymouth District Council last October, he became the first known blind district councillor in NZ.
While working as Editor at the Taranaki Daily News, Lance discovered he had developed extremely rare Fuchs' Syndrome in his left eye. He then lost his right eye to glaucoma. Lance's vision loss forced him into early retirement in April 2006.
As his left eye was recovering after a cornea transplant, Lance walked into an overhanging branch, and came into contact with a fungus that took the remainder of his sight.
He spent 17 weeks at Hamilton Hospital. "It was a living hell... if it had not been for my wife and family plus totally supportive staff, I do not know how I would have survived," he says.
Lance shared a hospital room with an RNZFB staff member, who got him immediate support. RNZFB staff rallied around while he was in hospital, supplying equipment including a talking watch and giving advice on using a long cane.
Lance began to investigate technology that would allow him to use the writing skills that had earned him a living in the past. He bought his own copy of the JAWS screen reader, a cell phone running TALKS (the phone version of JAWS), and received training and support from the Foundation's Adaptive Technology staff.
Lance laughs when he tells people that, following the election, he was given responsibilities relating to the visual arts. He is passionate about the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery and Puke Ariki Museum Library and Information Centre that he looks after.
Another of his greatest thrills was deputising for the Mayor at the Taranaki RNZFB's Christmas party.
Despite having gone through some tough times, Lance is thoroughly enjoying his work. "It's a really interesting time in my life. I thought that, being blind, I'd be very limited in my choices. In fact my horizons and experiences have broadened."
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Here's to Matt – a kiwi kid with attitude!
Matt Bubb is your typical kiwi kid: he loves cars, sport and playing his drums. What makes him so inspiring is his bright outlook, regardless of the curve balls life throws his way.
Matt, 12, was born with multiple congenital abnormalities and is deafblind. From the age of three months till he was seven, Matt underwent multiple surgeries, including skin grafts to create eyelids and surgery to improve his palate. He faces more surgery in the future.
"People tend to judge me on how I look, until they get to know me," says Matt. And once they get to know him, they're in for a whole lot of laughs.
Rachael Crombie, RNZFB Developmental Orientation and Mobility/Adaptive Daily Living Instructor, says that Matt uses his sense of humour to break the ice. "He's really good at putting people at ease and breaking down barriers," says Rachael. "What impresses me most about Matt is his attitude and his ability to try new things."
Matt's mum, Julie Muir says, "Matthew is an amazing boy. I have never heard him say anything negative about his disabilities, which I think is a reflection of his positive attitude and character. He is also very bright and has a memory like an elephant!"
Matt turns 13 in April and started at Wairarapa College in Masterton earlier this year. His favourite subjects are science, woodwork and computers, but he's also a keen sportsman.
He's played soccer since he was seven, plays basketball, cycles and rides horses. Matt was involved in the Southern Cross Games in 2006.
Matt excels at everything he tries. His prowess with his PacMate is amazing, and he's a fluent braille reader and cane user. He's also learning adaptive daily living skills like cooking and, most importantly, tying the shoe laces on his beloved soccer boots.