WEBVTT - I see the I-Sight support group 0:00:45.633 --> 0:00:48.553 Hello and welcome to In Plain Sight, a program where 0:00:48.553 --> 0:00:51.193 we highlight people who are making a positive impact in 0:00:51.193 --> 0:00:53.353 the community and disability sector. 0:00:53.513 --> 0:00:56.393 Shining a light on those who would be otherwise hidden 0:00:56.393 --> 0:00:57.473 in plain sight. 0:00:57.473 --> 0:00:59.553 And it's a pleasure to bring you these stories on 0:00:59.553 --> 0:01:03.353 a weekly basis with you here on Vision Australia Radio. 0:01:03.393 --> 0:01:04.993 Hi there Simon, how are you this week? 0:01:05.033 --> 0:01:08.433 Hi, Andrew. I'm great. And hello to you out there listening. 0:01:08.433 --> 0:01:10.513 Thanks for joining us. And how's things with you, Andrew? 0:01:10.553 --> 0:01:12.953 Yeah. Really good. Thank you. We're still getting plenty of 0:01:12.993 --> 0:01:16.073 rain here in Perth. So yeah, it's good for the garden. 0:01:16.073 --> 0:01:19.113 Good for the weeds. Yes. Good for the exercise to 0:01:19.113 --> 0:01:22.353 get into the garden and pull out said weeds. Mhm, mhm. 0:01:22.873 --> 0:01:26.273 So this week Andrew we've got an interesting program as 0:01:26.273 --> 0:01:28.593 always lined up for everyone. And we are going to 0:01:28.593 --> 0:01:32.753 be speaking to Lina, who is the coordinator and facilitator 0:01:32.753 --> 0:01:36.712 of the Vision Australia EyeSight Group. It's sort of like 0:01:36.712 --> 0:01:39.313 a support group, but sort of not. Now, Andrew, you've 0:01:39.313 --> 0:01:43.363 got some information there because we broadcast across the world 0:01:43.363 --> 0:01:47.883 and across the nation. And there are similar groups. Either 0:01:47.883 --> 0:01:51.603 they're called community groups or support groups in different locations. 0:01:52.003 --> 0:01:55.163 Throughout Australia and beyond. Let's look at some of these 0:01:55.163 --> 0:01:57.523 groups now, Andrew, because they're really great to find out 0:01:57.523 --> 0:02:00.843 about these different groups that people with a vision impairment 0:02:00.843 --> 0:02:02.923 and low vision supporting one another. 0:02:02.963 --> 0:02:06.963 Yes, that's right. There's one in in Adelaide. It's actually 0:02:06.963 --> 0:02:10.083 run by See Differently, which is a kind of a 0:02:10.083 --> 0:02:12.483 new name, I guess, for the Royal Society for the blind, 0:02:12.483 --> 0:02:16.683 which has been around for something like 140 years. And 0:02:16.683 --> 0:02:20.563 they offer all kinds of services from low vision optometry 0:02:20.563 --> 0:02:25.923 and occupational therapy, peer support groups and employment support. And 0:02:25.923 --> 0:02:28.163 to contact them, you can just send them an email, 0:02:28.163 --> 0:02:34.963 which is intake@sea.org.au. And pretty much most of what they 0:02:34.963 --> 0:02:37.963 do is actually covered by the NDS or my aged care, 0:02:38.643 --> 0:02:41.243 but send them an email and see what services they 0:02:41.243 --> 0:02:43.893 can they like an offer for you. There's a support 0:02:43.933 --> 0:02:47.253 group that is run out of Vision Australia in Kooyong. 0:02:47.773 --> 0:02:51.773 Um and you can contact the organiser of that. And 0:02:51.773 --> 0:02:56.013 it's called the Kooyong Client Support group. And the person 0:02:56.013 --> 0:02:59.093 who is running that is called Fiona. And you can 0:02:59.093 --> 0:03:07.253 send an email to Fiona Lee. That's fionalea@tpg.com.au. And also 0:03:07.252 --> 0:03:10.453 in the south eastern suburb of Melbourne, there's the Dandenong 0:03:10.453 --> 0:03:13.613 Low Vision Group that meets every second Tuesday of each month. 0:03:14.053 --> 0:03:16.453 And they have an outing on the fourth Tuesday of 0:03:16.453 --> 0:03:20.853 each month. And they meet at the Dandenong RSL. And 0:03:20.853 --> 0:03:26.173 you can contact Carol on Graham monger@bigpond.com. And I'll spell 0:03:26.173 --> 0:03:33.893 that for you grahamunger@bigpond.com. And there's also one in East 0:03:33.893 --> 0:03:38.373 Gippsland at the Bairnsdale RSL club. That's the East Gippsland 0:03:38.373 --> 0:03:42.013 VIPs in Bairnsdale. They meet on the first Wednesday of 0:03:42.013 --> 0:03:46.172 each month and that's at 11:00. As I say, it's 0:03:46.253 --> 0:03:48.332 located at the Barnsdale RSL. 0:03:48.533 --> 0:03:50.933 Hello to everyone down in Bairnsdale. I know they've always 0:03:50.933 --> 0:03:53.893 been a very community minded area down there, and they 0:03:54.453 --> 0:03:57.893 always been very supportive to the vision impaired people down there. VIPs. 0:03:57.893 --> 0:04:00.173 That was a very common terminology that a lot of 0:04:00.173 --> 0:04:03.133 us used for vision impaired persons. 0:04:03.173 --> 0:04:06.693 Yeah, a great term. Yes. And you can contact Brenda 0:04:06.693 --> 0:04:16.092 at that group again by email at brenke@bigpond.com. So it's brenke@bigpond.com. 0:04:16.093 --> 0:04:20.133 And there are other organisations as well, like Blind Citizens Australia, 0:04:20.173 --> 0:04:25.973 that have different kinds of specialty peer support groups. Um, 0:04:26.013 --> 0:04:28.413 there is the general kind of peer support groups that 0:04:28.413 --> 0:04:33.573 they do as well as having specific ones that are for, 0:04:33.613 --> 0:04:36.213 if you're interested in playing guitar, if you're interested in 0:04:36.253 --> 0:04:39.573 cooking or if you're interested in gardening, there's different ways. 0:04:39.573 --> 0:04:43.423 And they usually conduct those groups via the telephone or 0:04:43.463 --> 0:04:47.863 via Zoom or any kind of online contact. And just 0:04:47.863 --> 0:04:52.063 like Vision Australia itself have a support group, which is 0:04:52.063 --> 0:04:54.623 a more formal than the eyesight group here than in 0:04:54.623 --> 0:04:58.023 Western Australia, which is called the quality living groups. And 0:04:58.023 --> 0:05:02.343 they usually conducted via tele link, either telephone or online. 0:05:02.703 --> 0:05:04.823 And they are really worth checking out as well. And 0:05:04.823 --> 0:05:08.823 they're a more structured formal type of support group, different 0:05:08.823 --> 0:05:11.743 to a community group that is comes out of the 0:05:11.743 --> 0:05:15.543 Vision Australia offices and well worth checking those out. If 0:05:15.583 --> 0:05:17.903 you're in a position where you might be new to 0:05:17.943 --> 0:05:20.983 your eyesight condition or still learning, or would like to 0:05:21.023 --> 0:05:24.023 support people who are blind or have low vision. Check 0:05:24.023 --> 0:05:27.263 out these different kinds of support groups, community groups, and 0:05:27.263 --> 0:05:32.223 get involved with whatever community you feel linked with. Something 0:05:32.223 --> 0:05:35.303 we talk about here a lot on this particular radio station, 0:05:35.303 --> 0:05:38.983 because we are all about community and bringing people together. 0:05:39.263 --> 0:05:42.713 And I just wanted to remind people, too, that we 0:05:42.753 --> 0:05:45.313 here at Vision Australia Radio in Perth, most of us 0:05:45.313 --> 0:05:48.633 volunteers and the main emphasis we have here at Vision 0:05:48.633 --> 0:05:51.073 Australia Radio, as well as presenting great shows like this 0:05:51.073 --> 0:05:55.913 one you're listening to now, is to provide reading services 0:05:55.913 --> 0:05:59.513 for the blind and print handicapped as it was known. 0:05:59.593 --> 0:06:02.793 So that is, anyone who cannot read regular print in 0:06:02.793 --> 0:06:05.673 the regular sort of inverted commas normal way. That might 0:06:05.673 --> 0:06:09.273 be because their vision impaired. It might be because they're dyslexic, 0:06:09.593 --> 0:06:12.793 or it might be that you have a physical disability 0:06:12.793 --> 0:06:16.233 that doesn't allow you to either use a computer or 0:06:16.233 --> 0:06:18.673 pick up a piece of paper and that type of thing. 0:06:18.713 --> 0:06:21.073 You might have limitations with your mobility or whatever it 0:06:21.073 --> 0:06:23.713 might be. So shout out to the great people at 0:06:23.713 --> 0:06:26.353 Vision Australia Radio across the network who are doing these 0:06:26.353 --> 0:06:30.633 reading services, reading out newspaper articles and so on to 0:06:30.673 --> 0:06:34.033 assist people in the broader community to give them news 0:06:34.033 --> 0:06:36.913 and information in a manner that is accessible. And we're 0:06:36.913 --> 0:06:41.803 all about accessibility, inclusion and community here on Vision Australia Radio. 0:06:41.843 --> 0:06:44.443 That's great. Thanks, Simon. And just before we go into 0:06:44.443 --> 0:06:48.683 your interview with Lina, just some information about the eyesight 0:06:48.723 --> 0:06:52.603 group that Lina will be talking about. It meets here 0:06:52.603 --> 0:06:56.723 in Perth at the census WA building, which is in 0:06:56.723 --> 0:06:59.803 Osborne Park. It meets on the third Wednesday of every 0:06:59.803 --> 0:07:03.403 month from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., and you can 0:07:03.403 --> 0:07:10.523 contact them at perth@australia.org. That's Perth at vision australia.org, and 0:07:10.523 --> 0:07:13.643 it's available to anyone who is blind or low vision, 0:07:14.003 --> 0:07:16.443 and you can meet and have a chat with like 0:07:16.483 --> 0:07:20.083 minded individuals. And the other interesting thing that Lina talks 0:07:20.083 --> 0:07:23.563 about in the interview as well is that there's friendships 0:07:23.563 --> 0:07:27.283 that do develop in the group, and the people that 0:07:27.323 --> 0:07:30.003 become friends in the group also meet outside of the group. 0:07:30.003 --> 0:07:34.043 So it kind of blossoms from there. So it's a fantastic, um, 0:07:34.083 --> 0:07:37.323 springboard if you like, from, uh, from the, you know, 0:07:37.363 --> 0:07:40.163 a more structured group that meets once a month into 0:07:40.333 --> 0:07:45.053 longer lasting friendships. So here's your interview, Simon with Lena 0:07:45.053 --> 0:07:47.573 from the EyeSight Support Group. 0:07:47.813 --> 0:07:50.133 And this week we have a guest. Her name is 0:07:50.173 --> 0:07:53.933 Lena Adams and she is the volunteer coordinator and facilitator 0:07:53.933 --> 0:07:57.573 of the Vision Australia EyeSight Group. And welcome, Lena. 0:07:57.573 --> 0:07:59.053 Thanks, Simon. Thanks for having me. 0:07:59.693 --> 0:08:02.493 Now, Lena, I'll start by asking you, how did you 0:08:02.493 --> 0:08:04.413 get involved with this eyesight group? 0:08:04.493 --> 0:08:07.933 Well, it happened a few years ago. Back in 2022, 0:08:07.973 --> 0:08:10.653 I'd started a new job with a company that was 0:08:10.653 --> 0:08:13.533 very passionate about giving back and volunteering, and they encouraged 0:08:13.533 --> 0:08:17.493 us all to spend seven days a year at least, um, 0:08:17.693 --> 0:08:21.213 giving back and volunteering. So I was looking for opportunities 0:08:21.213 --> 0:08:23.733 to leverage that time in a, in a way that 0:08:23.733 --> 0:08:25.853 really kind of spoke to me and aligned with my 0:08:25.853 --> 0:08:28.213 own values, I guess. And so I was doing a 0:08:28.213 --> 0:08:31.173 lot of research in some of those opportunities. And it 0:08:31.173 --> 0:08:33.533 was interesting. I found there were opportunities to kind of 0:08:33.612 --> 0:08:38.093 do one off day volunteering or hyper regular volunteering, you know, 0:08:38.133 --> 0:08:39.933 maybe half a day or a day a week, which 0:08:39.933 --> 0:08:42.493 was a little bit too much for, I felt pushing 0:08:42.493 --> 0:08:45.173 the the bounds of the the friendship to have paid 0:08:45.213 --> 0:08:48.213 time off to volunteer. But I came across an advertisement 0:08:48.213 --> 0:08:51.853 actually a bit like a job advertisement to support the 0:08:52.053 --> 0:08:54.613 eyesight group at Vision Australia. So at the time I 0:08:54.612 --> 0:08:58.133 reached out to Donna, who was the state manager back then, 0:08:58.133 --> 0:09:00.973 and she was really excited to have me kind of 0:09:01.013 --> 0:09:02.653 come on board. I think at that time the group 0:09:02.653 --> 0:09:06.213 had been without a coordinator for several months, so she 0:09:06.213 --> 0:09:08.173 got me on board and took it from there. And 0:09:08.173 --> 0:09:10.453 ever since then I've been coordinating the group and really 0:09:10.453 --> 0:09:13.333 enjoyed my time. So, you know, it's once a month 0:09:13.333 --> 0:09:15.693 that we meet. So it's a perfect kind of, I guess, 0:09:15.733 --> 0:09:19.533 balance to give back and have that connection in community, 0:09:19.573 --> 0:09:21.573 you know, be able to continue with my full time job. 0:09:21.573 --> 0:09:25.413 And just to restate, that's a volunteer role that you're doing. 0:09:25.413 --> 0:09:27.013 And I want to give a shout out to all 0:09:27.053 --> 0:09:32.453 the volunteers out there, including Andrew and myself, because most 0:09:32.453 --> 0:09:35.852 of the people in the Vision Australia Radio Studios here 0:09:35.853 --> 0:09:40.063 in Perth are volunteers. We have one staff person that 0:09:40.063 --> 0:09:43.503 works here in their Perth studios, and our volunteers give 0:09:43.543 --> 0:09:45.623 up so much of their time to give back to 0:09:45.623 --> 0:09:48.183 the community or do whatever they're doing. And it's a 0:09:48.943 --> 0:09:52.663 really wonderful thing that people do. And, um, often not 0:09:52.663 --> 0:09:54.783 rewarded in the way that people think. But I know 0:09:54.783 --> 0:09:57.543 there's a lot of satisfaction in being a volunteer and 0:09:57.543 --> 0:10:00.303 being part of the community. Now, Linda, can you tell 0:10:00.303 --> 0:10:02.463 us what the eyesight group is, please? 0:10:02.823 --> 0:10:06.183 The eyesight Group is a community group, essentially a social 0:10:06.183 --> 0:10:09.503 group for low people with low vision, no matter where 0:10:09.503 --> 0:10:12.223 they are on that journey. So we have a wide 0:10:12.223 --> 0:10:15.223 variety of of members or participants, if you like that, 0:10:15.223 --> 0:10:18.863 join us in our meetings and at all different stages. 0:10:18.863 --> 0:10:21.143 So some have maybe have been blind for life and 0:10:21.143 --> 0:10:23.863 some are only just starting to lose their vision. It's 0:10:23.863 --> 0:10:27.223 really an opportunity for the community to, to get together 0:10:27.223 --> 0:10:29.543 and to share knowledge and ideas and have a cuppa 0:10:29.543 --> 0:10:32.503 and talk about things that they're struggling with or wins 0:10:32.503 --> 0:10:36.463 that they've had. It's really just a social community group. 0:10:36.503 --> 0:10:39.183 And I think importantly, it's in person, which is really great. 0:10:39.183 --> 0:10:42.593 It's an opportunity to come together in one place and 0:10:42.593 --> 0:10:44.553 just connect over a cup of tea, a bit of 0:10:44.553 --> 0:10:47.433 morning tea, and maybe, you know, occasionally we do do 0:10:47.473 --> 0:10:49.513 activities depending on what the group wants to do. And 0:10:49.513 --> 0:10:52.953 we always kind of it's very collaborative actually. We will 0:10:52.953 --> 0:10:55.593 talk around some ideas. Sometimes we have a guest speaker 0:10:55.593 --> 0:10:58.873 come in. We love to, uh, go and see what 0:10:58.873 --> 0:11:01.713 the Vision Australia store, which is quite close by, they 0:11:01.713 --> 0:11:03.633 often have new products, so they'll come in and kind 0:11:03.633 --> 0:11:06.273 of showcase those or yeah, all kinds of things. 0:11:06.313 --> 0:11:08.553 Actually, I wanted to pick up on that really important 0:11:08.553 --> 0:11:12.233 point that that's an in-person group and people physically meet 0:11:12.233 --> 0:11:12.793 once a month. 0:11:12.793 --> 0:11:14.393 Is it once a month? We meet on the third 0:11:14.393 --> 0:11:15.313 Wednesday of every month. 0:11:15.353 --> 0:11:17.673 Yeah. And you're currently located where. 0:11:17.713 --> 0:11:20.992 We're located currently at the census WA office, which is 0:11:20.993 --> 0:11:24.513 also where the Vision Australia store has relocated to. So 0:11:24.633 --> 0:11:27.193 I'm sure some of your listeners might recall the store 0:11:27.193 --> 0:11:29.073 in Leederville, which is where we used to meet in 0:11:29.073 --> 0:11:32.793 the offices there when that moved to the sensor's location, 0:11:32.793 --> 0:11:36.913 which is in Osborne Park on Parkland Road. Sensors WA 0:11:36.953 --> 0:11:39.803 were very kind to accommodate and give us one of 0:11:39.803 --> 0:11:43.043 them large meeting spaces on an ongoing basis. So we're 0:11:43.043 --> 0:11:46.083 really grateful to sensors for supporting us and giving us 0:11:46.083 --> 0:11:48.763 that meeting space. It was important that we had a 0:11:48.763 --> 0:11:51.523 space that was accessible and that was also as a 0:11:51.523 --> 0:11:54.563 single volunteer and supporting often, you know, 10 or 12 0:11:54.563 --> 0:11:57.043 or sometimes more people in the group that I had 0:11:57.043 --> 0:12:00.163 a bit of support around me just in case, God forbid, 0:12:00.163 --> 0:12:02.443 something might happen or go wrong. It was important for me, 0:12:02.483 --> 0:12:04.963 rather than just meeting at a coffee shop or a, um, 0:12:05.003 --> 0:12:07.083 a third space, if that makes sense. I think having 0:12:07.083 --> 0:12:10.683 it at a more coordinated and organized spot, personally for 0:12:10.683 --> 0:12:13.443 me as a volunteer, I felt was quite important because 0:12:13.443 --> 0:12:15.523 I want to make sure that everybody is safe. First 0:12:15.523 --> 0:12:16.203 and foremost. 0:12:16.243 --> 0:12:19.563 It is a big undertaking to be a coordinator and 0:12:19.563 --> 0:12:23.043 facilitator of a group of that nature. And obviously not 0:12:23.043 --> 0:12:26.243 all blind people are vulnerable, but some people are, and 0:12:26.243 --> 0:12:29.203 like you say, people on different lengths of the journey, 0:12:29.203 --> 0:12:33.323 so to speak, within their, um, vision loss or vision impairment. 0:12:33.363 --> 0:12:35.083 The idea was that it was meant to be more 0:12:35.083 --> 0:12:37.523 of a social group and an idea to kind of 0:12:37.563 --> 0:12:41.003 just meet in person and get together, rather than being 0:12:41.163 --> 0:12:43.523 some of those other groups, you know, designed around, you know, 0:12:43.563 --> 0:12:46.043 a book club or a specific special interest group. And 0:12:46.043 --> 0:12:48.603 I think they do meet online. This was really designed 0:12:48.603 --> 0:12:52.163 to be in person. And I understand that they have 0:12:52.163 --> 0:12:55.243 probably had or still continue to have similar groups in 0:12:55.243 --> 0:12:56.763 other states around the country. 0:12:56.803 --> 0:13:00.363 Now, I'm really pleased that there is, firstly, a service 0:13:00.363 --> 0:13:03.323 like this coming out of Virgin Australia here in Perth, 0:13:03.363 --> 0:13:05.483 and I've said just before too, I'm glad that it's 0:13:05.523 --> 0:13:08.883 an in person group because that brings so much more 0:13:08.923 --> 0:13:11.923 than doing it online or on the phone or however 0:13:11.923 --> 0:13:14.763 it might be, whilst they can be beneficial. There's nothing 0:13:14.763 --> 0:13:17.483 more rewarding than being amongst other people, right? 0:13:17.683 --> 0:13:19.603 I agree. And personally for me, I get a lot 0:13:19.603 --> 0:13:23.603 out of that community and that in-person connection. But more importantly, yes, 0:13:23.603 --> 0:13:26.243 it's a very safe place. And people just come together 0:13:26.243 --> 0:13:28.123 and we talk about all kinds of things. So there's 0:13:28.123 --> 0:13:31.083 a lot of discussion around things that obviously are affecting 0:13:31.083 --> 0:13:33.923 people with low vision, but sometimes it's just day to 0:13:33.963 --> 0:13:36.883 day life as well. And we have a cohort of 0:13:36.883 --> 0:13:40.613 quite regular members who come that are there most months, 0:13:40.853 --> 0:13:43.253 but then we have another cohort that tends to kind 0:13:43.253 --> 0:13:45.852 of just come, you know, a bit more occasionally fitting 0:13:45.853 --> 0:13:48.573 the group around different commitments that they might have, whether 0:13:48.573 --> 0:13:51.853 it be work or other social commitments. So it really 0:13:51.853 --> 0:13:55.133 just depends. And we do welcome anyone with low vision. And, 0:13:55.173 --> 0:13:57.893 you know, typically I'll put out a call every or 0:13:57.893 --> 0:14:01.373 an invitation by email every month, just reminding people that 0:14:01.373 --> 0:14:03.492 the group is, is happening and where we might be 0:14:03.493 --> 0:14:06.573 meeting occasionally we might meet offsite. But yeah, I do 0:14:06.613 --> 0:14:09.133 encourage anyone if they're curious or they would like to 0:14:09.173 --> 0:14:11.612 come along, please just drop in. Like I said, it's 0:14:11.613 --> 0:14:15.213 the third Wednesday of every month, 10 to 1130. Um, 0:14:15.253 --> 0:14:17.133 so it's a really lovely amount of time to kind 0:14:17.133 --> 0:14:20.013 of come and connect and, and see what it's all 0:14:20.013 --> 0:14:22.213 about and see if, if there's something of value that 0:14:22.213 --> 0:14:24.293 you might pick up in the conversation. 0:14:24.293 --> 0:14:27.093 And if you're looking for information about these types of groups, 0:14:27.093 --> 0:14:29.173 wherever you might be, there are all sorts of community 0:14:29.173 --> 0:14:31.653 groups that you can find on the Vision Australia website. 0:14:31.653 --> 0:14:34.813 If you just look up community groups on Vision Australia website, 0:14:34.813 --> 0:14:37.853 you'll find them there. I did see that in regards 0:14:37.853 --> 0:14:40.783 to the eyesight group, which I must tell listeners that 0:14:40.783 --> 0:14:45.943 it's spelt I. Capital I dash site. Very catchy title 0:14:45.943 --> 0:14:48.103 like that. I like a play on words, I like puns. 0:14:48.103 --> 0:14:52.583 So that's that's fun that it's open to anyone that 0:14:52.583 --> 0:14:55.623 is blind or low vision. But it did say that 0:14:55.623 --> 0:14:57.823 for Vision Australia clients. Is that right? 0:14:57.823 --> 0:15:00.543 Well, yes. I mean, I think originally it was primarily 0:15:00.543 --> 0:15:04.063 designed for Vision Australia clients. However, I guess given that 0:15:04.063 --> 0:15:07.623 Vision Australia in Perth no longer has clients, we would 0:15:07.623 --> 0:15:09.263 like to have that open to anyone. And of course, 0:15:09.263 --> 0:15:11.183 the stories there as well. And anyone is able to 0:15:11.223 --> 0:15:13.103 come into the store and look at all of the 0:15:13.103 --> 0:15:16.863 amazing gadgets and gizmos and magnifiers and all kinds of 0:15:16.863 --> 0:15:18.703 things in there. And if any of your listeners haven't 0:15:18.703 --> 0:15:21.343 been to the store, I would highly recommend going and 0:15:21.383 --> 0:15:22.943 going into the store and talking to the girls there 0:15:22.943 --> 0:15:25.823 because they just know so much. And their new space 0:15:25.823 --> 0:15:28.663 actually is really lovely in the way that it's laid out. 0:15:28.663 --> 0:15:31.903 So definitely worth a look. They get new, new things 0:15:31.903 --> 0:15:34.023 all the time. They've got things like the new meta 0:15:34.263 --> 0:15:37.743 Ray-Ban glasses and you know, but then also something as 0:15:37.743 --> 0:15:40.593 simple as a physical watch or like they've got, you know, 0:15:40.633 --> 0:15:42.753 it's very low tech stuff and also very high tech stuff. 0:15:42.753 --> 0:15:44.593 So there's something there for everyone. 0:15:44.633 --> 0:15:47.953 I'm led to believe that the new location that they 0:15:47.953 --> 0:15:51.353 share with Sensis is a much more easier place to 0:15:51.393 --> 0:15:54.793 get to and more physically accessible location. 0:15:54.993 --> 0:15:57.433 Yes, the group have definitely kind of shared that with me. 0:15:57.433 --> 0:16:00.393 So the store and the census office is in Osborne 0:16:00.393 --> 0:16:03.193 Park on Parkland Road. It's quite close to the Montessori 0:16:03.193 --> 0:16:04.873 school if anyone is there. So I know a lot 0:16:04.873 --> 0:16:08.913 of the group members have been coming to the group 0:16:08.953 --> 0:16:11.313 by getting the train to Glendalough, and then there's a 0:16:11.313 --> 0:16:14.073 bus that basically drops them off pretty much right outside. 0:16:14.073 --> 0:16:17.073 So they've reported that that's been a really easy and 0:16:17.073 --> 0:16:19.273 accessible way to get there. Others will get dropped off 0:16:19.273 --> 0:16:22.793 by a carer or a taxi and then come in there. 0:16:22.793 --> 0:16:25.993 There's also a great number of car parks that sensors 0:16:25.993 --> 0:16:27.793 have made available for us to use as well. They've 0:16:27.793 --> 0:16:30.833 got quite a number, and in the email I share 0:16:30.873 --> 0:16:33.873 details about where to find those parks. So there's really 0:16:33.873 --> 0:16:36.073 a lot of different ways that people can come into 0:16:36.113 --> 0:16:37.273 that location. 0:16:37.633 --> 0:16:40.523 On Vision Australia Radio. You're listening to In Plain Sight 0:16:40.523 --> 0:16:43.843 with Simon Chong and me, Andrew Williams. Our guest this 0:16:43.843 --> 0:16:47.163 week is Lionel Adams, who is the coordinator of the 0:16:47.203 --> 0:16:50.523 Perth based Vision Australia EyeSight Community Group. And now it's 0:16:50.523 --> 0:16:51.843 back to Simon and Lina. 0:16:52.043 --> 0:16:54.443 So you said you have a regular cohort of people. 0:16:54.483 --> 0:16:56.363 Lina how how many would that be? 0:16:56.643 --> 0:16:59.723 We normally get, as I said, probably between 10 and 0:16:59.723 --> 0:17:03.883 12 people. And there's probably a cohort of maybe eight 0:17:03.923 --> 0:17:06.723 of those that come. Most months, I would say. And 0:17:06.723 --> 0:17:09.523 then we have a few others that will, like I said, 0:17:09.523 --> 0:17:11.523 maybe they can't come every single month, but they'll come 0:17:11.562 --> 0:17:15.483 a few times a year. Particularly, we do try and 0:17:15.483 --> 0:17:17.323 organise 2 or 3 times a year. We'll go and 0:17:17.322 --> 0:17:19.243 have lunch somewhere instead of having a meeting, just to 0:17:19.282 --> 0:17:21.403 kind of mix things up a bit. And that's an 0:17:21.403 --> 0:17:25.562 opportunity too, for group members to maybe bring their support partner, 0:17:25.603 --> 0:17:28.322 a support worker with them or their partner to those 0:17:28.322 --> 0:17:30.682 lunches as well to kind of expand the group. And, 0:17:31.082 --> 0:17:34.042 you know, oftentimes that appeals to a lot more other people. 0:17:34.042 --> 0:17:36.243 And so they'd like to come to those excursions, or 0:17:36.243 --> 0:17:39.122 sometimes we've organised things like indoor skydiving. That was a 0:17:39.123 --> 0:17:43.403 really exciting activity that we organized. Or another time we 0:17:43.403 --> 0:17:46.763 organized to go to a, a shop. It was a 0:17:46.763 --> 0:17:50.723 specialty kitchen shop actually out at Osborn. Sorry. Balcatta. And uh, 0:17:50.763 --> 0:17:52.882 that was really interesting as well, where the owners of 0:17:52.923 --> 0:17:56.642 that shop had again, some, some different devices and really 0:17:56.642 --> 0:17:58.802 kind of helped take our members through how they might 0:17:58.842 --> 0:18:01.362 be able to be used at home. So again, if 0:18:01.362 --> 0:18:04.882 anyone's got some ideas, we kind of talk about those. 0:18:04.923 --> 0:18:07.042 The other thing that we'll do is have guest speakers. 0:18:07.042 --> 0:18:08.802 So I make sure that in the invite I include 0:18:08.802 --> 0:18:11.122 those because again, it might be a topic of interest 0:18:11.122 --> 0:18:13.082 that someone's very, very interested in and they might make 0:18:13.082 --> 0:18:15.003 some arrangements to join for that. 0:18:15.003 --> 0:18:17.643 And what types of topics would you be discussing when 0:18:17.642 --> 0:18:20.322 you have the guest speakers or we have your regular meetings? 0:18:20.322 --> 0:18:23.403 Yeah. So we've had all kinds of different speakers. Actually. 0:18:23.443 --> 0:18:25.882 The store is a great guest speaker. We love having 0:18:25.882 --> 0:18:29.082 in to kind of showcase their, their different new things 0:18:29.082 --> 0:18:31.963 that they have in store. We've had either Vision Australia 0:18:31.963 --> 0:18:33.842 or next month actually, or this month we're going to 0:18:33.842 --> 0:18:36.042 have census wa, one of the OTS come in and 0:18:36.042 --> 0:18:37.813 give a bit of an overview of the services that 0:18:37.812 --> 0:18:40.652 they're offering. We actually had someone from Centrelink come in, 0:18:40.653 --> 0:18:43.013 which was fantastic. They were able to talk to the 0:18:43.013 --> 0:18:46.413 group around the entitlements that they can get through, whether 0:18:46.413 --> 0:18:49.253 it's their disability pension or their aged pension and those 0:18:49.253 --> 0:18:52.372 types of things. So that was really interesting. Um, so yeah, 0:18:52.413 --> 0:18:55.812 all kinds of different topics. We're hoping to get like a, 0:18:55.852 --> 0:18:57.773 what is it, an end of life, you know, kind 0:18:57.773 --> 0:19:01.013 of estate planning conversation because again, it's a topic that 0:19:01.013 --> 0:19:03.572 people are quite keen and interested in because everybody I 0:19:03.572 --> 0:19:06.052 think has, um, it's a bit dark. We're going now, 0:19:06.052 --> 0:19:08.172 but someone who's died or close to them and they 0:19:08.173 --> 0:19:09.973 want to make sure that they're prepared as, as much 0:19:09.973 --> 0:19:10.773 as possible. 0:19:10.812 --> 0:19:14.733 How do people get involved with this ice like group? Lena. 0:19:15.092 --> 0:19:18.052 What would be great is if they can reach out 0:19:18.052 --> 0:19:22.332 to the Perth at Vision australia.org website, it's probably the 0:19:22.332 --> 0:19:24.453 easiest way and just let them know that they are 0:19:24.453 --> 0:19:26.933 interested in learning a little bit more about the eyesight group, 0:19:26.933 --> 0:19:29.173 and then I can share with them the information and 0:19:29.173 --> 0:19:31.452 get them on our mailing list. That will then mean 0:19:31.453 --> 0:19:33.933 that they get those invites every single month to let 0:19:33.933 --> 0:19:36.613 them know, or to remind them when our meeting is 0:19:36.612 --> 0:19:39.063 for that month where we're going to be meeting and 0:19:39.102 --> 0:19:41.583 if applicable, what the, uh, the guest speaker will be. 0:19:41.622 --> 0:19:43.302 And that way we can make sure I know to 0:19:43.342 --> 0:19:44.983 expect them and I can help them if they need 0:19:44.983 --> 0:19:47.743 a little bit of extra assistance finding the location on 0:19:47.743 --> 0:19:51.103 the first day. Um, and then yeah, come along, have 0:19:51.102 --> 0:19:52.942 a cuppa, have some morning tea. We always have a 0:19:52.943 --> 0:19:53.862 good chat as well. 0:19:54.142 --> 0:19:55.303 So the groups are free. 0:19:55.663 --> 0:19:58.662 The groups are absolutely free. There's no cost to participate 0:19:58.663 --> 0:20:00.183 at all unless we go out for lunch, in which 0:20:00.183 --> 0:20:01.903 case it's usually self-funded. Yeah. 0:20:02.263 --> 0:20:05.263 From your experience, what are some of the reasons why 0:20:05.263 --> 0:20:06.622 people go to the group? 0:20:07.743 --> 0:20:10.062 In my experience, people are going to the group to 0:20:10.102 --> 0:20:13.463 learn and to share information. So one of the things 0:20:13.463 --> 0:20:17.382 that I've heard in facilitating the group and coordinating is 0:20:17.382 --> 0:20:20.062 that depending on where people are in their journey, there's 0:20:20.062 --> 0:20:23.143 a lot that they don't know. And even if you're 0:20:23.142 --> 0:20:25.383 very far along in your journey, there's still a lot 0:20:25.382 --> 0:20:27.902 that you don't know. And so everybody will learn something, 0:20:27.903 --> 0:20:30.982 and everybody often has a perspective that they can share 0:20:30.983 --> 0:20:33.103 that other people will get value from. So we do 0:20:33.102 --> 0:20:35.183 have some people who are very vocal in the group. 0:20:35.183 --> 0:20:37.233 They've got a lot of opinions and they talk a lot. 0:20:37.233 --> 0:20:38.992 And then we've got some others who tend to be 0:20:38.993 --> 0:20:40.912 a little bit quieter. And I think that's very normal 0:20:40.913 --> 0:20:43.753 as well. I do try and ensure that everybody has 0:20:43.753 --> 0:20:47.233 an opportunity to talk or ask a question, but I know, again, 0:20:47.233 --> 0:20:49.833 some of the feedback I've got is that people sometimes 0:20:49.832 --> 0:20:52.552 are very happy just to listen and, and hear all 0:20:52.552 --> 0:20:55.273 of that interesting stories and some of the challenges and 0:20:55.273 --> 0:20:58.032 know that they are not alone and that they've, they've 0:20:58.032 --> 0:21:00.792 had it before. And we've had some people that have. Yeah, 0:21:00.832 --> 0:21:03.273 it's a, it's a particularly if people have lost their 0:21:03.273 --> 0:21:07.072 vision very rapidly, it's accelerating or they're feeling very isolated 0:21:07.433 --> 0:21:11.072 coming along to the group. They've really valued that connection. 0:21:11.072 --> 0:21:14.673 And they've shared with us that it's been really, really 0:21:14.673 --> 0:21:17.193 important to them as they're kind of navigating this stage 0:21:17.193 --> 0:21:17.833 of their life. 0:21:18.233 --> 0:21:20.633 Do people tell you how they found out about the 0:21:20.632 --> 0:21:22.433 group and why they were motivated to come along? 0:21:22.473 --> 0:21:26.032 MM. I think most people that have come from the group, 0:21:26.072 --> 0:21:28.312 they have been referred by Vision Australia as they were 0:21:28.312 --> 0:21:31.112 clients of Vision Australia. A lot of the staff who 0:21:31.112 --> 0:21:33.713 were working at Vision Australia before now are actually working 0:21:33.713 --> 0:21:36.153 at senses. So some of a lot of the OTS 0:21:36.153 --> 0:21:38.963 and a lot of the other stuff are at sensors now. 0:21:38.963 --> 0:21:41.683 So again, a hint for any listeners who might be 0:21:41.683 --> 0:21:44.202 missing some of their their staff members from Vision Australia, 0:21:44.243 --> 0:21:46.362 they could be there. So that's often where we get 0:21:46.362 --> 0:21:48.562 our referrals from. And like I said, this is a 0:21:48.642 --> 0:21:52.002 definitely a Vision Australia group, but personally, I'm happy to 0:21:52.003 --> 0:21:55.203 take referrals from from any other locations as well. 0:21:55.203 --> 0:21:56.922 So to join the group, Leonard, do you have to 0:21:56.963 --> 0:22:00.683 be legally blind or registered as a blind person? 0:22:00.683 --> 0:22:03.843 There's no there's no legal requirement. I again, I would 0:22:03.842 --> 0:22:06.642 say it's open to everybody. Look, one of the things 0:22:06.642 --> 0:22:08.562 when we moved to senses, I'll be honest with you, 0:22:08.562 --> 0:22:11.923 because obviously census deals with more than just blindness. I 0:22:11.923 --> 0:22:13.602 asked the group, I said, look, what do we want 0:22:13.602 --> 0:22:16.163 this group to be? You know, it's not my group. 0:22:16.163 --> 0:22:19.523 It's your group. Um, and they were very passionate that 0:22:19.523 --> 0:22:21.523 they wanted to do that. They wanted to keep it 0:22:21.523 --> 0:22:24.923 as a low vision and vision impaired group, support group. 0:22:25.163 --> 0:22:27.682 So I think no matter where you are in that journey, 0:22:27.683 --> 0:22:29.882 I'm not I wouldn't call myself vision impaired, but I 0:22:29.882 --> 0:22:31.962 wear spectacles. So does that mean I'm vision impaired? I 0:22:31.963 --> 0:22:34.883 don't I don't think it really matters terribly much as 0:22:34.882 --> 0:22:38.322 long as people understand that that's the that's the connection. 0:22:38.322 --> 0:22:40.083 That's the thread that connects us all together. 0:22:40.082 --> 0:22:42.482 I've said this before and I'll say it once again, 0:22:42.523 --> 0:22:45.642 I'm sorry for repeating myself, but you can learn how 0:22:45.642 --> 0:22:49.362 to do all the technical things about your vision, like 0:22:49.683 --> 0:22:52.163 if you have mobility issues, learning how to use white cane, 0:22:52.163 --> 0:22:54.042 or if you need a guide dog or a seeing 0:22:54.082 --> 0:22:56.163 eye dog, you can learn how to do that. You 0:22:56.163 --> 0:22:59.162 can learn how to use computers and do all that 0:22:59.163 --> 0:23:01.643 type of thing, but you can't really learn how to 0:23:01.802 --> 0:23:04.923 deal with your blindness or your low vision until you 0:23:04.923 --> 0:23:07.883 mix with people who are in a similar position. Do 0:23:07.882 --> 0:23:09.483 you get that kind of feedback where you are? 0:23:09.523 --> 0:23:11.802 Lena I think so, and I think that's learned experience. 0:23:11.802 --> 0:23:14.322 That's very difficult for people that don't have that to 0:23:14.362 --> 0:23:16.123 be able to share and to be able to explain 0:23:16.122 --> 0:23:19.162 it in a way that's relatable to some other people. 0:23:19.163 --> 0:23:22.602 So I'm trying to think of an example actually. I mean, actually, 0:23:22.602 --> 0:23:24.842 one of the things that I found super interesting, because 0:23:24.842 --> 0:23:27.082 I wasn't sure about it was Charles Bonnet syndrome, which 0:23:27.082 --> 0:23:30.123 I'm sure you probably have heard about. Oh, you haven't see. Oh, 0:23:30.163 --> 0:23:33.683 this is an amazing thing. So Charles Bonnet syndrome is 0:23:33.683 --> 0:23:38.372 where people with who lose their vision start to have hallucinations. 0:23:38.372 --> 0:23:42.172 But the way that that actually expressed itself in the 0:23:42.173 --> 0:23:44.852 different people in the group, some people hadn't experienced it 0:23:44.852 --> 0:23:47.012 at all, but others had experienced it, but in all 0:23:47.013 --> 0:23:50.173 different ways. And I just found that so incredibly interesting 0:23:50.173 --> 0:23:52.613 that it's the same kind of syndrome. But the way 0:23:52.612 --> 0:23:55.173 it expressed itself was interesting. And I thought that could 0:23:55.173 --> 0:23:58.292 be a particular subject where if you didn't know what 0:23:58.292 --> 0:24:01.572 it was, it might be actually quite scary to see 0:24:01.572 --> 0:24:03.973 things that, you know, are not there, but to hear 0:24:03.973 --> 0:24:07.372 how that presented itself with real life examples, with people 0:24:07.372 --> 0:24:10.292 that you know and are friends with. And trust is 0:24:10.292 --> 0:24:11.572 incredibly powerful. 0:24:11.572 --> 0:24:14.572 I think I have spoken to people in the past 0:24:14.612 --> 0:24:19.332 who have spoken about the actual adaption that the brain makes, 0:24:19.653 --> 0:24:22.933 and it guesses what we see a lot of the time, 0:24:22.933 --> 0:24:26.213 and we actually think we're seeing something and our logic says, no, 0:24:26.213 --> 0:24:28.653 I'm not seeing that because I can't physically see that. 0:24:28.653 --> 0:24:30.013 But the brain adapts. 0:24:30.052 --> 0:24:32.973 And maybe even just movement, right? So the way that 0:24:32.973 --> 0:24:36.582 different people with low vision have adapted to moving in spaces. 0:24:36.582 --> 0:24:39.183 I'm always amazed. We've got one member who's been blind 0:24:39.183 --> 0:24:42.542 from birth and he's like a bat. He can, he can. 0:24:42.582 --> 0:24:45.342 I'm amazed the way that he navigates without much guidance 0:24:45.342 --> 0:24:47.743 compared to maybe someone who's lost their vision more recently 0:24:47.782 --> 0:24:50.342 and who does require a little bit more assistance. And 0:24:50.342 --> 0:24:52.382 it's all normal. It's all right. 0:24:52.423 --> 0:24:54.463 It's all when you say it's like a bat, does 0:24:54.463 --> 0:24:56.822 he actually do the clicking? I'm not saying that as 0:24:56.822 --> 0:24:57.622 a joke. People do. 0:24:57.663 --> 0:25:01.542 Oh, maybe he does. He's it's obviously just his superpower. Right. But, um, 0:25:01.542 --> 0:25:04.582 and we've all got superpowers. But yeah, it's I just 0:25:04.582 --> 0:25:06.143 find it amazing. 0:25:06.342 --> 0:25:10.503 So Leanna, we'll start winding up the conversation now. So 0:25:10.503 --> 0:25:14.742 just remind people that the eyesight group is held at 0:25:14.743 --> 0:25:17.262 the census building in Osborne Park and you meet how 0:25:17.263 --> 0:25:18.103 often do you meet? 0:25:18.142 --> 0:25:20.743 We meet once a month, every month on the third 0:25:20.743 --> 0:25:23.663 Wednesday of the month, and we meet between 10 a.m. 0:25:23.663 --> 0:25:27.463 to 11:30 a.m. and we're meeting at the Census Building, 0:25:27.463 --> 0:25:30.782 which is 20 Parkland Road in Osborne Park. 0:25:30.943 --> 0:25:33.943 And just give us an example of, say, the next 0:25:33.943 --> 0:25:36.513 couple of months, what you've got on the agenda. 0:25:36.832 --> 0:25:39.112 Next month or this month? We're in. It's already October. 0:25:39.153 --> 0:25:41.432 The month is. The year is getting away from us. Uh, 0:25:41.473 --> 0:25:44.233 we'll be meeting in the office at the census WA office, 0:25:44.233 --> 0:25:46.393 and we're going to have a bit of an overview 0:25:46.392 --> 0:25:49.152 and an update from census WA on the types of 0:25:49.433 --> 0:25:52.353 services that they can offer. So when I say we've 0:25:52.352 --> 0:25:54.872 got a guest speaker, typically it's 15 or 20 minutes 0:25:54.872 --> 0:25:57.593 and it just helps guide the conversation a little bit. 0:25:57.592 --> 0:26:00.032 We still have plenty of time to have our usual 0:26:00.233 --> 0:26:04.872 chats about anything and everything that's topical and hot with 0:26:04.872 --> 0:26:08.632 our members. We are also planning on having a Christmas lunch. 0:26:08.632 --> 0:26:10.832 I think we've decided that we'll be doing that in 0:26:11.312 --> 0:26:14.552 November rather than in December, because the third Wednesday in 0:26:14.552 --> 0:26:17.352 December is a little bit close to Christmas. Um, so 0:26:17.392 --> 0:26:19.673 we'll be going out for lunch in November. And then 0:26:19.673 --> 0:26:24.113 December and January are interesting because often it's a silly season. 0:26:24.112 --> 0:26:25.993 But actually last year I remember they were some of 0:26:25.993 --> 0:26:29.233 our busiest, busiest meetings. We were packed to the rafters. Uh, 0:26:29.273 --> 0:26:33.273 we will, I think January, uh, personally, I'm going on holidays. 0:26:33.273 --> 0:26:36.113 So I will be I'm going to Norway. I'm very excited. 0:26:36.112 --> 0:26:38.352 So we'll probably skip January. 0:26:38.632 --> 0:26:41.632 And if you're listening to this program via the podcast, 0:26:41.993 --> 0:26:45.473 welcome and thank you. I'll put those details of how 0:26:45.473 --> 0:26:48.273 to get involved with this group on the show notes 0:26:48.273 --> 0:26:52.072 in the show description. If you're listening to this, wherever 0:26:52.072 --> 0:26:54.432 you might be throughout Australia, if on the podcast throughout 0:26:54.433 --> 0:26:57.273 the world, there are lots of little groups like this, 0:26:57.273 --> 0:27:00.833 wherever you are, some are in person and some are 0:27:00.832 --> 0:27:05.673 on the telephone or internet, and some are support groups 0:27:05.673 --> 0:27:10.952 hidden in disguise by being connected to craft or sport 0:27:10.993 --> 0:27:14.233 or walking or whatever it might be. I know that, 0:27:14.233 --> 0:27:17.152 for instance, other group here in Perth, they have a 0:27:17.153 --> 0:27:21.152 walking group, and I know also that Blind sports Western 0:27:21.193 --> 0:27:25.672 Australia don't just hold sporting events, they often have social 0:27:25.673 --> 0:27:29.713 events as well. And that's other ways of keeping connected 0:27:29.713 --> 0:27:31.872 with the community. And in this sense, we're talking about 0:27:31.872 --> 0:27:34.673 the blind community and the low vision community, and it's 0:27:34.673 --> 0:27:37.643 a really valuable resource that you're helping to provide there. 0:27:37.842 --> 0:27:39.483 And I'd like to thank you for coming into the 0:27:39.483 --> 0:27:41.643 studio at Vision Australia to talk with us today. 0:27:41.683 --> 0:27:43.362 Thank you so much for having me. 0:27:43.403 --> 0:27:45.802 Thanks, Lena, and thank you too for listening. And that's 0:27:45.802 --> 0:27:47.723 all we've got time for this week, folks. Join us 0:27:47.723 --> 0:27:49.202 again next time and I'll speak to you then. Bye 0:27:49.243 --> 0:27:50.122 for now. Cheers. 0:28:02.082 --> 0:28:04.683 That concludes in plain sight for this week. Join us 0:28:04.683 --> 0:28:07.842 at the same time next week on Vision Australia Radio, 0:28:08.163 --> 0:28:13.003 VA radio digital and online at VA radio.org. You can 0:28:13.003 --> 0:28:16.483 also listen on demand by searching for In Plain Sight 0:28:16.483 --> 0:28:20.363 by Vision Australia Radio. Wherever you get your podcasts, or 0:28:20.362 --> 0:28:23.643 ask your smart device to play in Plain Sight by 0:28:23.642 --> 0:28:26.042 Vision Australia Radio. Thanks for listening. 0:28:26.322 --> 0:28:26.922 Thank you.