Profiles
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Nigel Ngahiwi - learning life's lessons
Nigel Ngahiwi was one of the three members profiled in the Blind Week 2007 marketing campaign.
Nigel learned the importance of wearing a seatbelt the hard way. When he was 19, he crashed his car into the back of a truck, sending him head-first through the windscreen. The accident left him blind.
That lesson took him on a new path of learning. Suddenly Nigel had to find other ways to get on with life. The Foundation taught Nigel how to use a guide dog, which gave him the independence he wanted to get around. Adaptive technology helped Nigel access information on computers. But he also learned to read braille so that he could read books the way he used to: "I wanted to be able to take a break from machinery and just sit somewhere nice and read a book."
Now he lives with his wife and seven-year-old son. Nigel has a Bachelor of Literary Performing Arts and is working towards a Masters degree in Mātauranga Māori. And as if writing a 40,000 word thesis isn't enough to keep this family man busy, Nigel also teaches the theory behind kapa haka at Te Wānanga o Raukawa in Otaki.
As President of Ngāti Kāpō o Aotearoa, one of the Foundation's consumer organisations, Nigel is passing his lessons on by mentoring other vision-impaired Māori and their whānau so that they too can reach their full potential.
"Being profiled as part of Blind Week has been an experience. I've had heaps of feedback, especially from people who know me. Others that haven't seen me for awhile are always curious about how I manage without sight.
"I don't know if I've made a difference in people's lives, but I'm happy if I'm someone people can identify with and if it makes them aware that blind people are out there just quietly achieving."
Chairman's Award 2007
Antonia (Toni) Sharp, a blind Taupo woman who juggles running a
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business, raising two teenage children and doing hours of community work has been named the 2007 Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind Chairman's Award recipient.
Foundation Chairman Don McKenzie says, "This award recognises personal achievement and success in the community through outstanding professional or community service.
"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."
Toni lost her sight after she was kicked in the face by a horse when she was just 13 years old. The accident left her completely blind, but that has not stopped her succeeding in her endeavours.
Toni says that everyone is faced with challenges. "Each challenge is a lesson to learn from and should motivate rather than stopping you from following your dreams."
She gained School Certificate and University Entrance, and was one of the country's first two blind exchange students to the USA in 1986.
In her community, Toni has been an active member (and now Chairperson) of the Foundation's Taupo Community Committee for over 15 years and has worked to coordinate local fundraising for the Foundation's annual appeals.
She's also been a member of Taupo Toastmasters since 2001, holding a variety of roles. She has achieved her Advanced Toastmaster Bronze Award and is now halfway to the Advanced Silver Award.
Today, Toni manages Sharrp Kitchens, a business she started in 2001 with her then husband, Graeme.
"For me running a business and being involved in my community is an opportunity to enjoy life and inspire others to make the most of their lives," says Toni.
"I truly believe that if you have faith in yourself you can achieve anything you set your mind to!"
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Focus on employment
Any opportunity for employment can be a stepping-stone to a lifetime of work. Martine Abel is one Foundation member who has made the most of the opportunities that have come her way.
She arrived in New Zealand from South Africa in 1996 and after working in the counselling and mental health fields, started at the Foundation in 1999.
"I worked at the Foundation for eight years in four different roles, originally as a vocational employment advisor and finally as an awareness trainer," says Martine. "What mattered to me was the variety of the work and the opportunity to increase the range of skills I had. I learnt project management, technical computer and software skills, and relevant New Zealand legislation. I also studied post-graduate papers, learnt about public speaking and about lobbying local government on accessible services, information and environmental access issues."
Martine says that she needed a change and recognised she couldn't expect the Foundation to provide her with all she wanted in her career path. She started looking for a role to "stretch her wings".
She is now the Policy Advisor - Disability Issues at Manukau City Council, working in the Community Development Directorate with other policy advisors and planners.
"We tackle issues around youth, diversity, parks, arts, crime and safety and we all influence each others' work so that disability is not compartmentalised off," explains Martine.
At the Council, Martine focuses on policy implementation, furthering employment opportunities for people with disabilities, as well as improving access to the built environment and public transport.
"My biggest personal challenge is the road and footpath access in Manukau City. It frustrates me hugely at times, but I remind myself that I'm here to help advocate for change and change doesn't happen overnight, does it?" adds Martine. "I really enjoy
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helping to make disability a mainstream thing out there in the community and not something that's someone else's worry or responsibility."
For more information about the Foundation's Employment Services, contact Thomas Bryan on email: tbryan@rnzfb.org.nz, phone 0800 24 33 33 or visit www.rnzfb.org.nz/workopportunities/employmentservices
Mike Lloyd, Marathon Man
Mike Lloyd, Foundation member and also part of the Auckland Adaptive Technology team, completed the gruelling 42.2 kilometre New York marathon for the first time on 4 November.
Competing against more than 39,000 other entrants, Mike finished in 4 hours, 36 minutes and 48 seconds. He was well ahead of celebrity Katie Holmes, whose time was over five hours.
Mike was assisted by his brother Gavin, who ran with him through New York's culturally and ethnically diverse neighbourhoods, finishing up at Tavern-on-the-Green in world-famous Central Park.
"It was just an awesome day," says Mike. "We spent the first few kilometres just running over discarded clothing, but once you're off the Staten Island Bridge, you're in the crowds and, man, are they great!
"There were over 100 local bands along the course, people yelling, clapping, whistling and hitting or rattling anything that makes a noise. They are with you for the whole route, except when you are on a bridge."
"My legs had pretty much had it by the last few miles through Central Park, but the crowd support keeps you going. Getting through the other runners was the biggest challenge as it really slows you down, but it is just the best experience. I met some other blind contestants as well as people with other disabilities. New York really knows how to put on an event."
Mike ran in association with the Achilles Track Club, which helps people with disabilities take part in the New York City Marathon. To read the full story, visit his website: www.blindrunner.com