Opinion & Letters
- Opinion: You CAN do it
- Letter: More eye surgery benefiting Foundation members
- Letter: Get tramping
- We want to hear from you!
Page 20
Opinion: You CAN do it
By Fraser Alexander
A forecasted mid-winter cold snap, two first time running guides on the other end of the tether rope and my first full marathon since 2003 added to a unique kind of day for the Christchurch Marathon on June 4. Shifting the focus of the day from things like gear options and carbo levels to focusing on delivering a "guiding blind runners in-situ 101" course is all part of the cop for a blind runner.
Not long after the gun I realised my guide Alice was a natural - she confidently delivered calls like, "left turn five metres, passing runners on the right, curb upwards going left etc". A flat course with roads blocked makes for a smooth run and the only challenge was finding the breath to keep pace with a chatty guide!
At 15km the rope was handed to Jane, a more seasoned campaigner over the longer distances which certainly helped in the last hour when the temperature and the pace plummeted. As runners lamented the long Memorial Drive straight, I assured them "its only because you're visualizing the distance" - obviously they had no choice to but they seemed amused by my perspective.
As the four hour mark elapsed we approached Hagley Park when Jane took a pitstop leaving me standing alone with just the rope. A marshall, clearly concerned as to what might have transpired approached asking me what I was going to do now. I replied "the massage tent and the beer tent is where I'm heading"- this must have reassured him my guide was at close hand as he just sniggered and walked away.
There's no more satisfying, inspiring and exhilarating feeling than crossing the 42.2km bleeper but the rush to the hot shower and a few brown lemonades was slightly keener this time!
Our athletic potential is not disability bound, unless we choose it to be.
Page 21
Letter: More eye surgery benefiting Foundation members
Dear Editor,
Paula Daye's comments in the most recent "Outlook" regarding the perceived low level of Government funding of the Foundation leaves out a vital aspect. Over the past couple of years the amount of funding put into eye surgery in the public sector, and which is benefiting RNZFB members and potential members is considerable. In Taupo alone, and using Community Committee members as an example, four out of eight members have had eye surgery in the public sector in the past twelve months. Three are fully registered members, and one, myself has avoided registration, and thus is not yet a burden on the Foundation. Add to this the many other members in the Taupo community who are benefiting from increased eye surgery funding from government and one can conclude that the Foundation is getting the advantage of decreased pressure on its services. However I suspect that there is not a record of Foundation members who are undergoing surgery. I meet at least one on each of my monthly visits to Waikato Hospital Eye Clinic as I prepare for further surgery on detached retinas, but this is obviously totally unscientific.
The point that I want to make however is that I believe in the interests of fairness, there should be some acknowledgement made by the Foundation that there is work being done by the government to address the long term realities in blindness in the New Zealand population.
Carol Conde-Acheson, Taupo
Letter: Get tramping
Last year I attended the Foundation's South Island tramp. I enjoyed the physical aspect of it but also being around other vision-impaired people and making new friends. It was a real confidence booster and staying in tents and huts was a new experience for me! I see that this year's tramp is coming up in November and think everyone, young and old should give it a go!
Petronella Spicer, Christchurch
(To find out more about the tramp please contact Stephanie White, Recreation Advisor, on 0800 24 33 33)
We want to hear from you!
We welcome feedback on any topic or on articles in this magazine. Please send your letters to the Editor, Outlook, Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind, Private Bag 99941, Newmarket, Auckland or email: comms