• Michael Bardrick
• Jonathan Godfrey
• Margaret McKenzie
• Rose Rowan
• Jessica Stesel
• Andrea Courtney
• Mervyn Cox
• Louise Smith
• David Wilson
• Allan Witana
• Nicola Asmussen
• Rebecca Mogridge
• Rhonda Comins
• George Dale

We have many wonderful stories to tell about our members, their challenges and their successes in all areas of their life. Here are just a few.

Michael Bardrick

After a successful period on a work placement scheme, Michael Bardrick is now in permanent part-time employment and loving it.

“In 1995, I was diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa, a form of tunnel vision and night blindness which will eventually lead to complete blindness,” says Michael.

“Then in 1999, I joined the Foundation, where I learned Orientation and Mobility skills.  I use a mobility cane to get around, especially at night.  I have also been learning braille for the last four years.”

In 2000, Michael was placed on a two-year Mainstream Employment Programme placement at the ISIS Centre (part of the Otago District Health Board) as a Clerical Assistant. This role involved standard office duties such as data entry, filing, arranging freight and helping the rest of the Clerical Team with typing or other administrative tasks.

“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.

“This is the goal of Mainstream Placements, to gain either permanent or full-time employment. Five years later I’m still at the ISIS Centre, and it suits me perfectly."

Michael now provides relief work on the reception desk, using a Miniguide to help detect when people approach the reception area.  Miniguides use ultrasonic echo-location to detect objects, vibrating to indicate their distance.  The faster the vibration rate, the nearer the object.  Staff and managers at the ISIS Centre have given Michael extensive support after having blindness awareness training, which gave them an insight to his eye condition.

As well as providing equipment, ISIS has used contrasting colours to show entry points, indicating the location of doors and entrances. They are also committed to helping Michael continue working at ISIS even after his sight completely deteriorates.

“Now that I’m in paid employment, I can show that vision-impaired people are not only capable, but they can also be independent".

Jonathan Godfrey

Only one in 40 New Zealanders has a qualification higher than a bachelor's degree. Of those rare individuals, less than a third have the stamina for a PhD, and within that fraction, the statistical number of blind people with a doctorate can, both proverbially and factually, be counted on the fingers of one hand.

Dr Jonathan Godfrey is a man who knows his numbers, having spent the past 15 years at university - seven of those in the academic world of statistics, solving problems. Jonathan is one of more than 400 people in New Zealand who are either blind or vision-impaired through a condition called retinitis pigmentosa. His eyesight has been degenerating since he was diagnosed at age two.

He solved the problem of employment in a world prejudiced against sight loss by gradually becoming a full-time lecturer at Massey University. He and his German Shepherd guide dog Louie are a familiar sight on campus.

Five of those 15 years have been spent in the (theoretical) company of the humble onion. While not everybody's idea of a pungent subject for a PhD, the onion represents an idea, or a problem to be solved, and is just one of the diverse subjects Jonathan has delved deeply into. Other areas include possum infestation control and gender issues in education.

"People have this misconception about statistics," Jonathan says. "It's actually more about ideas. You've got to have the right ideas before you start working with the numbers."

Jonathan's thinking was to develop a reliable method of determining what variety of onion would be best to grow in particular parts of the tropical and subtropical world regions without growing every variety in every location.

Throughout his university studies he's had assistance several hours a week from a reader and also uses computer equipment that has been adapted to include JAWS text to speech and scanning software.

Now aged 33, he says that blindness is only a point of difference in his life, but blindness has possibly changed his life's trajectory.

"I don't know exactly what I would have been but I rather fancy I might be on tour playing cricket with the Black Caps – or something like that."

Still, in Palmerston North, he has plenty of other balls in the air. He's engaged to be married to blind student Olivia En who he met at a conference of the Association of Blind Citizens NZ. He also recently stood as a candidate in the local council elections and for the governing board of the Foundation of the Blind. In both elections the numbers were not in his favour but that won't stop him from trying again. The odds are with him.

"I thought it would be a new experience and a real boost to my confidence," he says.

Margaret McKenzie

Margaret suffers from Leber's Atrophy. She lost her sight when she was 18, on the verge of purchasing her own business. Since then she has married and raised 3 sons who are now in their teens.

For the past 17 years Margaret has been a member of a local community aerobics programme run at the Baptist church in Whakatane. The leadership of the group changed a number of times and Margaret was asked to participate more and more in the demonstration of the exercises. As her confidence grew, so did her dream of being able to lead these programmes herself, catering for the "non-lycra" people in the community who need a low-impact fitness programme at an affordable price.

Two years ago she put feet to this dream by enrolling in a Network Fitness course for aerobic instructors. It was the first time the course had been offered by distance learning and Margaret, who left school in the 4^th form without any formal qualifications, was ready to take the plunge. If she'd known what was ahead she might not have continued, but Margaret was determined. Network Fitness had only had one other vision-impaired person on their course and although willing to offer support, they did not have specific information or procedures, so it was a matter of asking for help as needed and doing the best she could.

Glenys Hughes, Margaret's reader/writer, went with her to the block courses she had to attend in Auckland and the First Aid course which is part of the course requirement. She also worked as her reader/writer in the two theory exams Margaret had to sit over the first 14 months. Margaret was given extra time to complete the exam papers, which was needed.

The block courses were very challenging for Margaret. She was in a completely new environment in Hamilton and Auckland. She was in a class of 35 adults and trying to follow a lot of verbal instructions and demonstrations. She was using new equipment she'd never come across. And she had to work in small group situations choreographing very precise steps with only a few minutes preparation. Completing the block courses was a pre-requisite to sitting the exams. No wonder she didn't sleep well!

But Margaret passed. She got 88% for her first theory paper, 83% for her second theory and received the news on her 43^rd birthday that she had also passed her practical exam. Margaret McKenzie is now a fully-qualified, NZQA-recognised Aerobics Instructor.

Rose Rowan

Rose Rowan says she is very grateful to the Oppenheim Trust for receiving another grant this year. Rose was featured in last year's profiles and says she feels "really lucky to live in NZ" and to have access to all the help the Foundation offers.

When she lost some of her sight at the end of her seventh-form year she didn't know if she would be able to do anything any more. She is in her second year at Auckland University studying towards a Bachelor of Visual Arts.

One example of how she deals with her disability is by utilising the auto focus on her camera for taking shots, although she occasionally needs others' help when it comes to post production work such as focusing and for developing the film in the darkroom.

Her loss of central vision has hindered her technically but it can often provide a different perspective when it comes to idea generation. Rose uses the money from the grant towards her fees and also has two part-time jobs to cover other costs.

Jessica Stesel

For teenager Jessica Stesel having a guide dog has not only helped her get around more easily it has also given her a companion.

"The thing I like the most about Iona is knowing that I'm not alone, that she is always there," says Jessica.

The totally blind 18-year-old, who is now studying herbal medicine, was matched with her Golden Retriever guide dog Iona when she was just 14 years old.

"I was so excited to get Iona. She helps me get around easier and I don't get lost as much! I now have much more confidence to try new things and go to new places - just like my friends," says the Hamilton teenager.

"The kids at school loved Iona and always wanted to pat her, one of my teachers even said she was one of the best students she'd had!" Jessica and Iona, like most guide dog teams, have formed a special bond and have an amazing understanding of each other.

"When I first started incorporated martial arts classes I'd practice moves and Iona would think I was in trouble and would come between the instructor and to protect me! She stays at home now," says Jessica.

The adventurous Hamilton teenager also goes horse riding every week, plays the piano and sings with the hope of one day releasing her own CD.

"Now that I'm older I'm more independent and no longer rely on my parents as much thanks to Iona."

Andrea Courtney

Hearing and vision-impaired, Andrea Courtney is no longer in paid employment but that doesn't mean she is exempt from work pressures. Her voluntary work for New Zealand Vision Impaired Empowering Women organisation (NZVIEW), Association of Blind Citizens of New Zealand Inc (ABC), and the Southland Kidney Society commits her to a lot of emailing, conference calls and meetings.

When her hearing loss was considerably less than it is now, Andrea worked for ten years as a toll operator. While Andrea loves her volunteer work she also aspires to re-enter the paid workforce.

"Having dual sensory loss is hard," says Andrea, "I would love to have a paid job but I know that employers have perceptions about deafblind people not being able to do a job properly."

With her emailing, typing and leadership skills, Andrea is more than capable of paid employment. But for now she says, her passion is to help new members of the RNZFB reach their full potential through her work with NZVIEW and ABC. Keeping her just as busy as her voluntary work is motherhood. Andrea is the proud single mum of daughter Laura, aged 14 years and son Jarrod, aged 11 years. Adding to the household is guide dog, Radar.

"Being a mum," Andrea says, "deafblindness does pose some difficulties. Although born to it, the kids can get a little frustrated sometimes, particularly first thing in the morning when I don't have my hearing aids turned on!"

Andrea's hearing loss was initially detected when she was in her first year of primary school. Doctors believe it may have resulted from her contracting German measles at six months old. She later developed an eye condition called Lebers Optical Atrophy, in her twenties, which caused the loss of her central vision. "You always have to make the best of what you've got. That's all you can do…go with the flow."

Mervyn Cox

There are many deafblind New Zealanders who live their lives in the spirit of the late Helen Keller, and here is a great example of one.

"It's not me to stand around doing nothing. I had a ute, a wheelbarrow and a couple of trailers. So I started a landscape business."

Mervyn Cox had returned from Australia and was looking for work.

Although qualified as a horticulturist and highly experienced, nobody would employ him. Mervyn has been deaf since birth and was rapidly losing his eyesight due to retinitis pigmentosa, caused by Usher Syndrome.

How does a landscape architect transform a garden that he can't see? That's where Mervyn's wife and some specially designed tools come in. Cheryl joined the business 10 years ago.

"Cheryl is my eyes. When we first go in, she describes in detail what I can't see. Then I use my technical expertise to draw up the plans and we create the garden together."

After 15 years, many people in Wellington know that Mervyn is deafblind, and that he creates miracles out of his intimate relationship with stone, earth and plants.

A couple of years ago he was on the verge of giving up work as his eyesight narrowed to a hazy tunnel vision. But with help from the Foundation he sourced talking tape measures, then a dumpy laser level that gives off a continuous sound when it's level, and a closed circuit TV (CCTV) machine that magnifies print to 12 times its original size.

It was only through the crisis a few years ago when he felt angry about his fate and left his marriage for a time that Mervyn began to fully accept his disabilities were for life and that he too could get skilled support from others.

Cheryl and Mervyn went on a deafblind camp organized through Foundation. There they met other deafblind people and their carers from all around the country, and made new friends who can empathise and offer their insight.

"I wished I'd gone to the Foundation years ago. There's so much help out there. For Cheryl as well."

But Mervyn Cox is busy transforming more than just landscapes. When he and Cheryl temporarily injured themselves and needed help with day-to-day tasks they took on two teenagers at risk, from the Challenge 2000 programme. In a couple of months, they had taught them the basics of landscaping. One now has a landscape job in Auckland.

Helping teenagers who everyone else has given up on has become Mervyn's own challenge. He wants to set up a programme among the 30 or so landscapers in Wellington to offer kids who don't want to carry on with school a chance to learn hands-on skills. All that's holding up his dream is getting funding for it. Mervyn's low vision and hearing has not stopped him from being successfully self-employed or helping at-risk youth.

Louise Smith

"I've found the things that make me happy," says Louise Smith. Doing what makes her happy is Louise's recipe for learning to live with being deafblind. Take five friends, coffee in a café, three yoga classes, two grandkids, a teaspoon of swimming, three dollops of work and as many walks as it takes to make a smooth week and Louise's life is full.

"I've had my moments," Louise says, "especially when I began to lose my sight in my twenties, but I get on with my life and don't make an issue of it."

Usher Syndrome Type II, which Louise has, is rare but hereditary. Her sister in England also has it and, like Louise, has accepted her limitations.

"We can have a laugh about it on the phone. The other week I told her I went to get in a taxi – that's how I get to work. I always sit in the back seat, but I walked round to the driver's side because I couldn't see. He said, "Oh, do you want to take over? He didn't realise."

Louise finds that many people don't understand that she is deaf and almost blind, particularly as she doesn't look any different from anyone else.

"There's a real need to educate people. That's what the Foundation does so well."

Louise maintains her independence, living alone, going out walking, getting herself to work three days a week. She has three children and two grandchildren who visit.

"I think it's what you make of your life. Yoga has helped me get through it, to keep a balance in my life. There are some jobs I can't do anymore. I work as a cafeteria assistant right now but one day I'd like to own my own business."

Maybe that will be massage therapy – another ingredient to throw into Louise's rich life.

David Wilson

David Wilson could be your average kiwi bloke. He's played senior mid rep rugby for Canterbury, holds down a decent job, has a wife, coaches athletics three times a week (including Canterbury, national and New Zealand representatives) and is bringing up two sporty, teenage sons.

If David Wilson was your best mate though, he might walk right past you in the street and not say hello. Why? Because David is deafblind. For David, being described as tunnel-visioned isn't an insult, it's a reality. Born with the rare and hereditary Usher Syndrome Type II, he had less than forty percent hearing at birth and his peripheral eyesight began to deteriorate at 19.

"My hearing's never bothered me because I never had it. But my eyesight…that was a bad time.

"My family really helped me get over the bad stage and find my feet again. When you get that little gentle kindness it's amazing how far it goes."

His athletic son got him involved in coaching athletics and his rugby playing past drew David to a similar role in junior rugby, which he's kept up for the past seven years – on top of a four-day working week at the freezing works in Ashburton. Continuing to work has been essential for his self-esteem and confidence.

"I do need support from my family to complete some of the household tasks and drive me, but I feel I am doing my share for the family by being able to keep an income coming in."

His work pushing carcasses out of the chiller to be cut up doesn't involve much listening or lip-reading because he works alone, but it is very physical. Every minute of the day takes concentration, watching where he's going, causing high fatigue levels. David has had to reduce his hours to be able to continue his work.

The Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind's deafblind coordinator in Christchurch is spending time with David to find a new direction for his life.

"We're looking at what I like, what I can do. I'm 44 now. I'd like to be doing something else in about six year's time." David adds, "In the past being a good lip reader has helped me to be independent. I think I'm a good guesser, but there has been the odd time I've been off the beaten track! Now with my deteriorating eyesight, the guessing isn't so good, so I'm looking at what I am going to do in the future."

In fact, David has a passion for quite literally getting off the beaten track. Four years ago, he walked the Milford track, and has since walked the Queen Charlotte and Abel Tasman tracks. The only limitation his deafblindness puts in his way in the bush is the low light levels under the forest canopy.

"It's so dark out there and with the loss of my night vision I sometimes need a guide. So, I always go as part of a team and have a great time with the family or friends."

David's low vision and hearing has not stopped him being employed, going tramping, waterskiing, coaching and managing sports teams or restoring furniture.

Allan Witana

HIP Recording Studios is located in a cul-de-sac in Mangere Central, in what used to be the garage of a lovingly tended lemon-yellow house. The studio is also known as Al's Place.

Allan Witana has been playing guitar in bands ever since he was a school kid. He knocked around with the likes of Billy T. James, Bunny Walters and Eddie Lowe in the early 1960s. He also played in bands such as the Rising Stars and the Radars and has backed many international artists such as the Coasters and the Platters.

Allan is of Nuiean descent and he has had retinitis pigmentosa since birth. He married Isabel Stevens in 1968 (who has cataracts). They had a family of four. When Leyton-John was born with cataracts, they decided to have no more children, instead fostering a child in 1984.

Allan played gigs almost every night while his five children were growing up and held a fulltime job during the day. He was made redundant from in 1999 after 21 years.

With 13 grandchildren, but with plenty of time on his hands, Allan taught himself computer and digital sound recording. He uses a 16-channel mixer, a recording mixer and Cool Edit on the computer.

Allan has recorded a CD with blind group, The Radars. He's most interested, however, in recording families. From his studio he can master a CD and turn out as many or as few copies as you want, with beautiful labels and covers.

"I can do it much cheaper than the big studios," he says, "even when the dog's barking in the yard and planes are flying overhead. I can edit those sounds out afterwards. I can provide backing music and some vocals. People can take home a CD and put it straight into their stereo and listen to themselves."

With the recent addition of a sound-proof room to his garage, using egg trays, carpet and foam rubber on the walls, producer Allan is set up and ready to go. He is on the lookout for some decent microphones–-and some new clients for his studio.

Those interested can contact Allan at HIP Recording on 09 275 4534

Nicola Asmussen

Nicola Asmussen works as a Telephone Accounts Manager for Boise Office Solutions in Christchurch. Managing approximately 500 clients, Nicola is considered one of the top telephone salespeople by her employer.

A scanner and the magnification programme ZoomText loaded on to her computer, enable Nicola to read necessary documents.

"Keeping a positive attitude and thinking outside the square helps me the most when dealing with any barriers that may arise through my vision-impairment," says Nicola.

Her previous experience as a children's telephone counsellor helped her to develop excellent telephone and listening skills.

"While qualifications can assist in obtaining work," says Nicola, "I think it's also important to find something you are passionate about for motivation and greater job satisfaction."

In searching for meaningful work, Nicola says she looked for opportunities instead of waiting for them to find her.

"Sometimes you walk into brick walls but there is always another way around it. Tunnel under it or knock it down with a sledge hammer," she advises. Wise advice indeed!

Rebecca Mogridge

Rebecca Mogridge, 27, has retinopathy of prematurity, which she has had (as the name suggests), since birth.

Rebecca moved from Christchurch to Wellington for a Mainstream (State Services) position. This job has now been made permanent. Rebecca works as an analyst in ministerial services, Ministry of Health, and is part of a team that answers correspondence that comes to the Ministry of Health from the public, and parliamentary questions from MPs.

There would be 40 or 50 items of correspondence to deal with at any one time so prioritising is important. Rebecca does research for the responses and says her Master's degree has helped with her research, organisation and analytical skills.

Good people skills are also required as information must be obtained from people who are often extremely busy.

When asked what she loves about this job Rebecca says that it is really challenging, there is a huge variety of work and lots of people interaction. Rebecca uses a large screen on her computer and the settings have been adjusted for maximum use.

Rhonda Comins

For Rhonda Comins teaching piano to children and adults is not only a job but something she is passionate about.

For the past ten years, since her daughter Natalie was one, Rhonda has felt lucky to be able to have a job that she enjoys doing.

"It's so rewarding and my satisfaction comes from my students' enjoyment and sense of achievement," says Rhonda, "I couldn't imagine not teaching piano."

The 37-year-old has also been working as a receptionist/secretary one day a week for a financial investments company. Despite having only 15% central vision depending on the light, Rhonda is still able to successfully carry out her role which includes filing, answering the phone and computer work.

"Office work is part of the adult world which opens up new horizons for me," says Rhonda, "I'm enjoying being part of that work environment but it would never replace my teaching."

The Foundation is currently working with Rhonda to ensure she has the necessary equipment and support to carry out her jobs.

"The Foundation has introduced me to technological possibilities and more creative options for getting around situations and making my jobs easier," says Rhonda.

George Dale

Being one of the oldest New Zealanders to receive their first guide dog means little to George Dale who believes that age is just a number.

"I don't think age comes into it; I'm pretty young for my age, I still mow my own lawns!" says the 87-year-old Hastings man.

George decided to get a guide dog before he lost all of his vision.

"I wouldn't like to be without him now, he's a champion and has made such a big difference in my life already," says George, a former member of the air force in World War Two.

George only has a small amount of peripheral vision in one eye but this hasn't stopped him from remaining independent and he aims to stay that way with the help of Beckham.

"Beckham makes things a lot easier and is going to help me stay independent especially once I lose all of my sight," says George. "I've been around dogs all my life and have seen some good thinking dogs, but Beckham has got to be one of the smartest".

Beckham has already proved his ability when he stopped George from stepping into the path of a speeding car coming out of a driveway.

"He stepped in front of me so I couldn't walk any further, if it wasn't for him I would've been cleaned up by the car," says a thankful George. George and golden retriever Beckham completed their training and graduated at the end of February 2005 to become an official guide dog team.