Retina NZ Inc
Summer Newsletter, February
2005, No 24
In this issue:
1 Editorial from Susan Mellsopp
2 From the President's Desk from Kaye Newton
3 Retinal Detachments
4 Research – Studies of Retinal
Detachments
5 Stem Cell Research Rescues Cones
6 Smoking
and Age-Related Macular Degeneration:
7 Report of World Blind Union General Assembly
8 National
Eye Bank Trust:
9 Achieving Equity
10 Coping
- Managing Your Clothing
11 Coping - Equipped For Living
12 Book Reviews
13 Branch News
My name is Susan Mellsopp
and I have recently been appointed the new editor of the Retina NZ
newsletter. June Ombler has done a wonderful job for fifteen years editing
this newsletter in an informative and professional manner. I wish her well for her retirement and
am sure she will continue to support people with retinal disorders.
I would like to tell you a little
about myself. I live in
I am very busy completing my Masters
thesis as an extramural student at
My other interests include theatre,
listening to music, cooking, gardening and travel. I am a member of Waikato
Graduate Women and the Women's Studies Association. I have spent many years involved with
Pony Club, Horse Trials and show‑jumping. House hunting for a new home is
absorbing much of my spare time at the moment.
I joined Retina New
Several requests for information
about retinal detachment prompted me to include both information and research
about this condition in the newsletter.
Allen Little attended the World Blind Union
Conference in
As the new editor I welcome feedback
about the newsletter, suggestions for topics to include in future newsletters,
and please remember to send in queries for 'your questions answered'.
My contact details are:
Susan Mellsopp
16 Riverview Terrace,
Phone 07 8533 612
Email: editor@retina.org.nz
2 From the President's
Desk
Greetings for
2005. We welcome Sue Mellsopp
aboard as our new editor. I am sure
she will be pleased to get feedback on what you like to read in the
newsletter. I enjoyed a
complete break over the Christmas ‑ New Year period, both from work, and
my computer at home. However,
Elizabeth East was still manning our peer support telephone right throughout,
and I know she received some calls during that time. For retired people, or people
living on their own, that time of year can be very quiet indeed when everything
shuts down ‑ except for the shopping of course. However, I believe a couple of callers
suffered acute symptoms during the Xmas break and were advised to get urgent
assistance from eye specialists.
The tsunami provided an incentive to
watch TV more than I usually do.
However, I have been particularly interested in the 60th anniversary of
the liberation of the
June Ombler
has not been idle since retiring from the Retina executive and editorship. She has joined a choir, and plans to
join a genealogy society. June has
offered to write letters for people in her retirement village and hospital who
are unable to write their own through stroke etc. It strikes me, that this is such an
effective and practical way to show what a blind person CAN do with today's
technology.
Camille Guy, our vice president, was
recently featured in a television documentary on TV3 during their open door
slot one Sunday. This featured four
blind women, some of them quite young.
They talked about what happened when they started losing sight, and how
that affects their lives now. They
have all adapted, which meant making changes, and coming to terms with the loss
over a period of time, then getting on with living. All of them seemed reasonably happy with
their lives now, though that process of change and adapting cannot have been
easy at the time. Our coping
strategies pamphlet defines coping as finding new ways to do familiar
tasks. It is not about fighting,
nor about giving up. Some small
changes can make a big difference.
We could arrange to make copies of this programme
if anyone particularly wants to see (or listen) to it.
Kaye Newton 03 3795 807
president@retina.org.nz
3 Retinal Detachments:
A retinal detachment can occur at
any time with little or no warning. Those with moderate or high myopia are at the
greatest risk. Several symptoms occur during or after a retinal detachment.
Floaters ‑ When a considerable
portion of the vitreous becomes liquefied tiny remnants of vitreous fibrils
will move around in the eye as eye movements occur. This results in the appearance of
floaters which look like bacteria on a microscope slide. They are impossible to catch, if you try
to look at one it quickly floats away.
Vitreous Detachment ‑ Once the
vitreous humor becomes liquefied, the vitreous membrane may suddenly pull away
from its ring of attachment at the back of the eye. When this occurs tension is placed on
the nasal side of the vitreous attachment at the front of the eye. The sudden traction stimulates the
retinal rods and cones causing the appearance of an arc of flashes. For a day
or two after a vitreous detachment the flashes are likely to be repeated
whenever sudden eye movements are made.
An additional symptom may be the appearance of a floating black ring, a
shadow of the now detached pigment ring at the optic nerve entrance. This may
reappear for several days. The
possibility of a retinal detachment is greatest four or five days after a
vitreous detachment.
Other commonly reported symptoms are
that of a curtain suddenly coming down over the eye which may completely or
partially block the vision. There
may be a dark spot located close to whatever a person is looking at. The above symptoms all indicate the need
for an emergency eye examination.
The above information was extracted
from Vision After 50
Preventing Age‑Related Vision Loss with the kind permission of the author
Theodore Grovensor. Further extracts from the book will be
published in later newsletters.
Information on purchasing this book can be obtained by contacting the
Editor.
Retinal Detachment Surgery:
Outlook for good vision after
surgery depends on several factors, including the status and integrity of the
macula. Three types of surgical
reattachment are available.
Pneumoretinopexy:
A gas bubble is injected into the vitreous
cavity which acts as an internal splint to hold the retina against the outer
wall of the eye. This injection is
inserted in the safe zone of the wall of the eye that lies between the anterior
limits of the retina and posterior limits of the lens. The size and location of the retinal
breaks, the extent of retinal detachment, and the lack of traction by the
vitreous gel on the retina are important considerations in choosing this
treatment. For this technique to be
successful the retinal breaks should be relatively small, located in the upper
half of the retina, and be spread within an arc of 60 degrees. The permanent closure of the retinal
breaks is obtained by placing the freezing probe over the external surface of
the eye in the area of the breaks.
A long lasting gas is then injected in the vitreous cavity. As the gas bubble swells it keeps the
retina against the upper wall of the eye. To assure constant contact between
the retina and the outer wall of the eye the patient's head must be properly
positioned, usually for a week to ten days.
Scleral Buckling:
This operation is carried out in
three steps. Step one creates an
adhesion between the area that surrounds the retinal tears and the retinal
pigment epithelium (RPE). Such
adhesion is obtained either by burning or by freezing the external wall of the
eye in the correct location. Step two creates a permanent reduction of internal
traction by the vitreous on the retina by indenting the outer wall of the eye. This is carried out by placing a silicon
rubber implant on the external wall of the eye over the location of the retinal
tears. This area is located over
the burn or freeze. Step three
consists of releasing the fluid located between the detached retina and RPE by
making a drainage hole in the outer wall of the eye. When this fluid is removed the sutures
that hold the silicon rubber implant in place are tightened and a permanent
indentation of the globe results.
Vitreous Surgery:
This operation consists of removing
the shrinking vitreous gel from the eye and peeling the newly formed tissue
that may be present on both surfaces of the retina. This tissue is prone to occur in long
standing retinal detachments. A vitrectomy instrument is introduced into the eye and slowly
sucks the vitreous gel out of the eye.
Replacement fluid is gradually injected in order to maintain normal eye
pressure. The peeling of vitreous
and abnormal tissue from the retina occurs next and in some cases tissue has to
be removed from the underside of the retina. This is carried out after making an
incision in the retina. When the
retina is free from all adhesions to abnormal tissue the fluid that keeps the
retina elevated is sucked out through the tears in the retina. Air is then injected into the vitreous
cavity to push the retina toward the eye wall. Laser is used around the retinal
tears in order to create an adhesion between the retina and the RPE. Finally a long lasting gas is injected
to replace the air. The bubble of
gas expands in the eye and does not absorb fully for about three weeks. Plane travel is to be avoided until the
gas bubble is absorbed.
This and other information on the
retina can be read or downloaded from www.schepens.com
RESEARCH
4 UCSB
Makes Important Advances in Studies of Retinal Detachment:
Scientists at the
In the January 2005 issue of
Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science the international team of
scientists describes changes that occur in detached human retinas. In this
study Steven K. Fisher, Professor of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental
Biology and Geoffrey P. Lewis, research scientist headed the UCSB effort,
collaborating with colleagues at the
Glial cell remodelling
can play a role in the return of good vision following successful reattachment
surgery. The extent of this
neuronal remodelling has surprised researchers. Because the UCSB researchers decided to
test the use of extra oxygen to help maintain the cells after a retinal
detachment the therapy has proved remarkably effective and is now being used by
some ophthalmologists prior to surgery.
Recently the UCSB team reported
refinements to these results. Elevated oxygen was administered 24 hours after
creating a detachment. Neuronal
cell death and nerve remodelling was greatly reduced
by comparison to the animals breathing normal room air, although the glial cell response was less affected than in experiments with the delivery of
immediate elevated oxygen. Assuming
that it is desirable to reduce cell death and prevent the remodelling
of nerve cells in detachment patients, the simple administration of elevated
oxygen between the time of diagnosis and surgical repair may result in more
rapid and improved recovery after reattachment surgery.
Future research will include
determining the effectiveness of the hyperoxia
therapy when administered both before and after reattachment surgery, and
methods for better inhibition of the undesirable cellular effects that lead to
PVR. This research has broad
implications since the cell types involved (neurons and glia)
are the same as those in the brain and spinal cord.
Downloaded from
www.nri.ucsb.edu Medical News Today.
5 Stem Cell Research
Rescues Cones:
Injecting stem cells that normally
form blood vessels into the vitreous of the eye might sound an odd way to
rescue dying photoreceptor cells, but in eyes with retinal degenerative disease
the retinal blood vessels also deteriorate. Scientists thought the vessels probably
die because remaining photoreceptor cells didn't need as much of the nutrition
supplied by the blood as a healthy retina would.
Researchers now feel that the blood
vessels may have a different or additional role. Their new thinking is based on the
following: when scientists injected blood vessel producing stem cells from
adult bone marrow into the vitreous of young mice with retinal degenerative
disease the number of blood vessels and a dramatic rescue of cone photoreceptor
cells occurred. Electroretinograms showed that some
vision was preserved.
Injected blood vessel stem cells
prevented retinal blood vessel degeneration. In this mouse model many retinal cells
that would ordinarily have died of retinal degeneration remained alive. The mouse retina is composed mostly of
rod photoreceptor cells, but the spared cells were nearly all cones. This is significant because cones are
the predominant cell type of the macula in humans.
The effect of the stem cell
injection is viewed as a dramatic neurotrophic
rescue. Additional findings showed
that genes of the retinal cells in the treated mouse eyes turned up their
production of certain neurotrophic factors that are
involved in protecting cells from apoptosis. This refers to the many stepped process
of cell death. In the mice the
rescue effect lasted for up to six months.
Neurotrophic factors are proteins required for
the development, growth and maintenance of nerve cells. They can also help damaged neurons to
recover.
The researchers concluded that their
findings indicate that the blood vessels of the retina have a role that goes
beyond carrying blood derived nourishment to retinal cells.
This research is not ready to be
tested on humans, but the researchers believe that if the effects are similar
to mice a slowing of the rate of photoreceptor cell degeneration could provide
additional years of sight to people with certain types of retinal degenerative
disease. Another interesting
finding of the research was that the treated mice and the stem cell donor were
sometimes one in the same. This
suggests that individuals could possibly be their own stem cell donors, thereby
eliminating the problem of cell rejection caused by foreign tissue.
More research is required to fully
understand the implications of these new findings. This is one of several areas of stem
cell research being undertaken for retinal degenerative disorders. Other
recently published research describes the transformation of stem cells in cell
culture into retinal pigment epithelial cells. This research also offers exciting
possibilities for reversing degenerative disorders of the nervous system.
Sourced from
www.blindness.org/research
6 Smoking and Age-Related
Macular Degeneration:
Scientists in
A probable cause is oxidative damage
to the retina. Cigarette smoking is known to interfere with the protective
effects of anti‑oxidants which significantly reduce the risk of advanced
AMD and its associated vision loss.
It also reduces macular pigment density. Researchers estimate that about
54,000 residents of the
Current treatment options are of
only partial benefit to selected patients.
Observational studies show a protective effect of smoking cessation on
the development of AMD, former smokers have a slightly increased risk compared
with non-smokers. The reversibility
of this association in smokers with AMD in one eye has important implications
for prevention of late macular involvement in the second eye. Continued smoking is associated with
poorer outcome after photocoagulation with argon laser. It could possibly have
an adverse affect on the long term response to newer treatments such as
photodynamic therapy.
The finding that smokers develop age
related macular degeneration around ten years earlier than non‑smokers is
a potent message.
www.blindness.org The full
article can be read at www.bmj.bmjjournals.com in the March 6th 2004 issue p537‑8.
7
Report on World Blind Union
General Assembly
By "Retina NZ Member"
Allen Little QSM, JP
World Blind Union Representative
Cape Town South
The 6th General Assembly was held in
a huge, very modern convention centre from
6th ‑ 10th
December. There were delegates and observers from
119 countries. Those attending
included 290 women and 311 men. 388 of whom were blind or vision impaired.
Following an opening address given
by Jody Kollapen, Chairperson South African Human
Rights Commission the Assembly was pleased to have Dr William Roland from South
Africa elected as the organisations new President for
the quadrennium.
The 1st Vice President is Mary Anne Diamond from
For many a highlight would be Thabo Mbeki, President of the
Attending the General Assembly was a
worthwhile undertaking.
It was an amazingly inspiring and enlightening
occurrence from which I learnt much.
Blind and vision‑impaired people around the world are achieving
great things despite adversity and incredible challenges. The drive which keeps blind people going
and achieving in the face of adversity and difficult circumstances is something
powerful to witness.
Special mention should be made of
our own Paula Daye (CEO‑RNZFB) who was present
throughout as an observer. I was
most impressed with her genuine up front active participation, mixing and mingling
with participants. Her warm
friendly disposition let her connect in meaningful ways with diverse peoples
then succeed in being elected to the Asia Pacific Regional Committee of WBU.
I was particularly conscious that we
had no women's representative present at the WBU Women's Forum which I was honoured to observe on 3rd and 4th December. Topics covered at the forum included,
leadership, discrimination, equity, parenting, violence, abuse and economic
participation. About 180 blind and
vision impaired women from 83 different countries plus observers and friends
attended the forum. The women
engaged in much soul searching discussion determining the future was about
taking control and speaking for themselves with confidence and pride. There seemed to be a spirit of good will
which encouraged the women to walk forward "doing it for themselves"
working together, sharing ideas or knowledge and taking advice from those who
had gone before....
It occurs to me that passing verbose
resolutions in global forums is one thing and ensuring practical outcomes from
those resolutions is another. As I
was attending the General Assembly on behalf of ABCNZ, prior to going I sought
to hear the concerns of other Consumer groups such as Retina NZ, PVI and Blind
Sport.
8
National Eye Bank Trust:
Their aim is ensure the regular
supply of quality corneal and other human ocular tissue to all New Zealanders
who require such a transplant.
The Eye Bank's goals are to
provide: maximum safety and quality
of tissue with minimum risk to the recipient; respect and dignity to the donor
and donor family;
optimal efficiency of service at all levels.
The New Zealand National Eye Bank is
responsible for the supply of donated human ocular tissue for allograft
transplantation purposes to all people in
Founded in 1987 by
Eye donors can be aged from 10‑85
years. Many common medical
conditions and poor eyesight do not preclude donation, although the list of
contraindications includes infectious and neurological disease, as well as eye
disease or having had certain surgical procedures. Tissue must be collected within 24 hours
of death to preserve the viability of the corneal endothelium which is vital to
maintain the function and clarity of the cornea. The donor families are provided with
grateful thank you letters and general information on the outcome of the
transplant.
With appropriate consent tissue of
unsuitable quality for transplantation is provided for collaborative research
projects in conjunction with the university department.
The efficient acquisition,
processing, storage, testing and distribution of tissue require strict
attention to detail and consistency in every area of operation. A staff of three maintains an on‑call
rostered twenty four hour service 365 days a year.
In addition the Eye Bank manages the
transplant booking schedules for the 45 surgeons who perform corneal
transplants in 12 centres from Whangarei
to
This and further information is
available at
http://ophthalmology.auckland.ac.nz/eyebank
or by emailing the Eye Bank at eyebank@auckland.ac.nz
9 Achieving Equity
Achieve (The National Post‑Secondary
Education Disability Network), the Tertiary Education Commission and the
Ministry of Education have launched Kia Orite: Achieving Equity: New Zealand Code of Practice for an
Inclusive Tertiary Education Environment for Students with Impairments.
Retina
Assisting tertiary education
providers to create a fully inclusive environment for students with impairments
is the key objective of Kia Orite: Achieving Equity. Setting out "best practice"
standards; evaluating progress towards an inclusive environment; identifying
barriers to participation and achievement; and improving tertiary outcomes
for students with impairments are the aims of the document. Awareness of policy and legal
obligations towards impairment and disability is also an important aspect.
Equitable learning environments will
ensure that students with impairments can participate equally with other
students. Open liaison with staff
to discuss specific needs will be encouraged. Enrolment procedures and access
to appropriate support services, special funding and physical access issues
will be monitored. Teaching practices, exams and assessments must become more
flexible. Staff at tertiary
institutions will be educated and informed in the needs of students with an impairment.
This document is available to be
downloaded from the following websites:
www.achieve.org.nz
www.tec.govt.nz and
www.minedu.govt.nz
A print copy (large print can be
requested) may be obtained by contacting ACHIEVE, PO Box 3850, Christchurch
Mail Centre,
COPING
First
coping article:
10 Managing Your Clothing
Visual impairment brings with it
difficulty coping with many everyday situations. This month I have included tips and
hints for clothing for those who still have some useful vision, can
differentiate colour, and can read labels.
* Install a light in your wardrobe
to help you distinguish both colour and type of
clothing.
* Purchase several sets of different
coloured coat‑hangers. Assign a colour to specific items of clothing, for example hang
trousers on yellow coat‑hangers and skirts on blue coat‑hangers.
* Hang similar items of clothing
together. Organise
your wardrobe to suit your lifestyle, casual clothes at one end, formal at the
other.
* Keep matching outfits on the same
coat‑hanger or tie two coat‑hangers together with a piece of ribbon
the same colour as the outfit.
* Colours
can be more easily identified if spring pegs matching the clothes colour are placed either on the coat‑hangers or the
clothes themselves.
* Placing small safety pins in
various positions such as on the tail of a blue shirt and back of blue trousers
is useful. Keeping a written copy
of the code is important.
* Your prevalent colour
choice can be easily identified by not marking it at all.
* Write the garment colour on the label of the garment using a water resistant
permanent marker.
* Purchase wide coloured
ribbons to match your clothing colours and tie to the
coat‑hangers.
* Cut coloured
cardboard or plastic tags into squares and slip over the hook of the coat‑hanger
with the colour of the garment written on them in
large print. These tags could also
include the design, fabric type, or what the garment is normally worn with.
* Use large safety pins to pin socks
together as soon as they are removed for washing.
* Closet organisers
can be used to store clothing such as jerseys, sweatshirts and the like. These should be colour
coded or labelled at the front in large print.
Second
coping article:
11 Equipped For Living
The Royal New Zealand Foundation of
the Blind's equipment catalogue is an informative listing of all the equipment
and related products that are available to help you in your daily life. It
offers a comprehensive range of blind and low vision items for the home, work,
travel and recreation needs. The catalogue is available from the Foundation in
several formats.
Orders for equipment can be placed
by telephone, fax, post, email and at display days. These are held regularly
during the year throughout
'Equipped for Living' is divided
into several sections: clocks, watches, kitchen equipment, recreation, Braille
products, tactile products, marking, handwriting, calculators, health products, tape
players, task lighting, magnifiers, canes and glasses.
Clocks: A range of tactile and talking clocks
including talking alarm clocks are available. Tactile and low vision watches
sourced from
Domestic: Coin holders that can store $1 and $2
coins, a magnifying compact mirror, plastic discs for keeping pairs of socks
together and a voice activated remote control.
Kitchen Equipment: Tactile measuring cups and spoons, a
talking clock timer, liquid level indicator to use when filling a cup, an easy
slice knife and talking kitchen scales offer alternative ways of coping in the
kitchen.
Out and About: 6 badges are available to identify
yourself as vision impaired. There are two round black badges with white cane
symbols on them, 4 rectangular white badges with black text: Vision Impaired, I
Am Vision Impaired, VIP Vision Impaired Person, and I Am Vision and Hearing
Impaired.
Recreation: Several popular games are stocked in the
recreation section that have large print numbers and Braille markings. These include
dominoes, backgammon, ludo, snakes and ladders, large
print bingo cards, playing cards, and Braille playing cards.
Tactile Products: 'Bump Ons' are
small self adhesive plastic dots that can be stuck on almost any surface. They
are useful around the house for labelling
temperatures on an oven, buttons on remotes, keys on a keyboard, and are
available in several different sizes and colours.
Stationery: Several types of stationery are
available. A writing guide for A4 paper, a signature guide for documents and cheques, envelope guide, large print phone directory,
calendar and address book along with special writing paper can help with your
writing needs.
Talking Equipment: Equipment services do not permanently
stock some of the talking equipment but people may contact equipment services
to discuss their requirements. Talking calculators, a pocket sized talking calculator,
talking thermometer and a talking blood glucose monitor which talk the user
through the entire test procedure are available. Advertised in this section of
the catalogue is 'Autodrop'. It helps solve the problems of those who
involuntary blink or sometimes miss their eye when putting in drops.
Lighting: Equipment services stock three different
types of lights; incandescent, fluorescent and halogen. Prior to purchasing
lighting it is preferable to have an assessment to determine the suitable type
of lighting required for your personal needs. Bases are also available for
lights as well as clamps, wall brackets, table brackets and floor stands.
Magnifiers: To ensure you obtain best value for
money it is recommended that you have an assessment before purchasing a
magnifier. Illuminated magnifiers that are mains powered offer a very intense
light. Battery powered torch magnifiers sourced from
Canes: Equipment Services stock a wide variety
of white canes. Rigid canes with or without a crook (great for the farm) come
in a variety of lengths. Folding canes made of heavy duty aluminium
and fitted with double elastic cords and golf grips are available in sizes from
36 inch to 60 inch. Support canes come in two standard sizes, although custom
sizes can be purchased and there is a choice of handle. Spare cane tips, a
rolling ball tip, and jumbo roller tips which spin are available. A short white
symbol cane not designed for contact with the ground but to be carried to
indicate visual impairment also folds up.
Glasses: Noir sunglasses in a selection of colours can be obtained. Noir lenses block 100% of UV light, GlareShield lenses cut glare and enhance contrast while polarised lenses are also available. Glasses come in
several different sizes as well as fitovers. Noir
recommend different coloured lenses for different eye
conditions.
An equipment price list which states
the member and non‑member prices is available when requesting this
equipment catalogue from the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind.
12 Book Reviews
First book Review:
Macular Degeneration. The Complete
Guide to Saving and Maximising Your Sight by Lylas and Marja Mogk.
Written in large print, this book
provides a clear explanation of macular degeneration, its causes and
treatments. The first section of the book discusses strategies for preventing
further degeneration, including a diet rich in antioxidants.
Part two of the book examines many
of the practical issues and life adjustments faced when one is diagnosed with
macular degeneration. Emotional
issues may surface and can cause depression. A framework for coping with this also
includes helpful questions to ask your Ophthalmologist, the role of support
groups, and tips for family and friends.
The final section offers visual
rehabilitation tips, assistance with developing new reading skills, lighting,
and discusses magnifiers and other products. Hints for going shopping, cooking,
continuing with sports and exercise, as well as orientation techniques make
this book an important resource.
This book can be ordered through any
bookshop. Whitcoulls and Borders Bookshop in
Second
Book Review:
Touch
the Top of the World: My Story. A Blind Man's Journey to Climb Farther Than the
Eye Can See by Erik Weihenmayer. Sydney, Hodder, 2001
Erik Weihenmayer
was born with retinoscheses, a degenerative retinal disorder
that left him blind by the age of 13. Erik was determined to lead a fulfilling
and exciting life and pushed past limits imposed on him. An invitation to try
rock climbing in his teens led to a courageous and inconceivable dream to try
and climb the world's seven highest mountains.
Touch the Top of the World is a
poignant and inspiring memoir. Erik writes movingly of the role his family
played in breaking through the barriers of blindness, a mother who prayed for a miracle to
save her son's sight, and a father who encouraged him to strive for
'unreachable mountaintops'. He describes his often hazardous adventures when
growing up, a teaching career, and his relationships with his guide dogs.
Erik's journey towards his ultimate goal,
Fewer than 100 mountaineers have
climbed all seven peaks, Erik completed his dream in
September 2002 when he stood on the summit of Mt Kosciusko in
Erik's journey has been made into a
documentary 'Farther Than the Eye Can See' and this book 'Touch the Top of the
World' is available on audio cassette.
13 Branch News
(Reviewed by Editor)
Camille Guy, Vice President of
Retina New Zealand and
Camille described her initial
thoughts, feelings and fear of dependency following a diagnosis of MD caused by
severe myopia. She felt it was one of the worst things that could have happened
to her. Living in what she
described as a grey blur, Camille has learnt to use sound and touch and
continues to enjoy cooking by establishing systems in her kitchen and
pantry. She gardens but has had to
accept that she cannot see the results.
Fears that she would not be able to
continue in her work as a journalist were allayed, firstly by attending a
course in adaptive technology and now through using specialised
software and a screen reader for her computer. Camille writes for several publications
including the New Zealand Listener.
From Gael Hambrook,
Branch Chairperson
The Wellington Branch held a
barbeque Christmas party on the 5th of December at Lyndal
and Norm Woods home. 23 members
attended and had a very enjoyable day.
Kapiti VIP Group
From Heather Tofts
The Kapiti
Visually Impaired Persons Support Group has been up and running for a year now
with an average attendance of 15 members at each meeting. On average they have four members who
are not registered with the RNZFB.
Several speakers have come to the group and spoken on different topics
of interest, and volunteers have read different articles. Sharing ideas and suggestions of how
others cope with sight loss has proved popular. An equipment display from the RNZFB was
brought in and members of the public were invited to see what aids are
available.
From Kaye Newton, Branch Chairperson
On Saturday 22 November last year
about 30 people gathered at the RNZFB for our end of year dinner. This followed the same format we have
used for some years, of people bringing salads of all kinds and colours, and having a shared meal. A sure sign that people were enjoying
themselves was that everybody lingered long after eating. We had just a small
committee available to organise this, but it was
great to have members and partners pitching in and helping to clear up which is
also a good way to mix and meet others.
Otago/Southland Branch
From Lynn Keogh, Branch Chairperson
On Sunday the 5th of December 2004
about 30 members, family and friends of the branch attended a very enjoyable
Christmas barbeque at the Belleknowes Golf Club. Everyone who attended seemed to enjoy
themselves and there was quite a lot of merriment and laughter as members sat
around chatting and reminiscing with one another.