WEBVTT - Talking Vision 758 Week Beginning 9th of December 2024 0:00:13.070 --> 0:00:18.890 From Vision Australia. This is talking vision. And now here's 0:00:18.890 --> 0:00:20.930 your host Sam Colley. 0:00:23.480 --> 0:00:26.630 Hello, everyone. It's great to be here with you. And 0:00:26.630 --> 0:00:29.600 for the next half hour we talk matters of blindness 0:00:29.600 --> 0:00:30.680 and low vision. 0:00:30.680 --> 0:00:33.200 It's about getting the message out there that blind or 0:00:33.229 --> 0:00:37.310 low vision, people can do things that isn't just sedentary 0:00:37.339 --> 0:00:40.070 sitting inside and things like that. We can get out 0:00:40.070 --> 0:00:42.680 and do things like a five day trek and things 0:00:42.680 --> 0:00:45.679 like that, which is, I think, amazing to promote and 0:00:45.680 --> 0:00:47.990 say we can be active and we can be out 0:00:47.989 --> 0:00:50.269 there and enjoy life like everyone else. 0:00:50.300 --> 0:00:55.100 Welcome to the program! This week we feature two participants 0:00:55.100 --> 0:00:59.929 in the Vision Australia Trek for vision, taking place over 0:00:59.930 --> 0:01:04.949 five days between April 29th and May third as they 0:01:04.950 --> 0:01:08.730 make their way through the Abel Tasman Track in the 0:01:08.730 --> 0:01:13.110 South Island of New Zealand to raise vital funds for 0:01:13.110 --> 0:01:17.490 Vision Australia's services to clients who are blind or have 0:01:17.490 --> 0:01:23.010 low vision. Their names are Dale Pearce and Sharon Taylor, 0:01:23.009 --> 0:01:27.300 and my interview with them takes up a majority of 0:01:27.300 --> 0:01:31.619 the programme this week. So without further ado, I hope 0:01:31.619 --> 0:01:40.890 you enjoy this episode of Talking Vision. I started by 0:01:40.890 --> 0:01:45.000 asking Dale to give an overview of the trick for vision. 0:01:45.030 --> 0:01:47.040 So I've sort of kept an eye on it for 0:01:47.039 --> 0:01:49.530 the last year and looked at the last earlier this 0:01:49.530 --> 0:01:52.770 year's one. So it's a trick not just for vision 0:01:52.770 --> 0:01:55.590 impaired people, but for everyone that wants to join in 0:01:55.620 --> 0:01:58.200 to help raise money for the quality living programs that 0:01:58.200 --> 0:02:00.810 Vision Australia put on, which is really handy for a 0:02:00.810 --> 0:02:03.820 lot of blind and low vision people to connect with peers. 0:02:04.120 --> 0:02:06.670 I will come back to that later on with you, 0:02:06.700 --> 0:02:10.420 because you've got quite a detailed involvement in that sort 0:02:10.420 --> 0:02:13.540 of area. So I'm keen to explore that a bit. 0:02:13.540 --> 0:02:16.300 But Sharon, I might go to you now and get 0:02:16.300 --> 0:02:17.470 your overview. 0:02:17.500 --> 0:02:23.440 Yeah, sure. Sam. So as Dale mentioned, trick for vision 0:02:23.440 --> 0:02:30.220 is supporting Vision Australia services. It involves a 53 kilometre 0:02:30.250 --> 0:02:35.410 trek over five days. And it is in New Zealand 0:02:35.440 --> 0:02:41.350 along the Abel Tasman track. So it's graded I believe 0:02:41.380 --> 0:02:44.500 a three out of five. Is that correct, Dale? Yeah. 0:02:44.500 --> 0:02:45.220 So moderate. 0:02:45.250 --> 0:02:51.850 Moderate intensity. And yeah we're both really looking forward to it. Yeah. 0:02:52.090 --> 0:02:55.390 How did you both get involved? Sharon, I might stay 0:02:55.390 --> 0:02:57.670 with you for a bit and get the story there. 0:02:57.700 --> 0:03:04.130 Yeah, sure. Very interesting way that I got involved, Sam. Um, 0:03:04.160 --> 0:03:09.890 I was actually talking Dale into doing the trek because I. 0:03:09.890 --> 0:03:12.530 I just know that, uh, that is something that is 0:03:12.530 --> 0:03:15.500 right up Dale's alley. And I said, why don't you 0:03:15.500 --> 0:03:18.770 do this trek? You'd love it. It'd be great. And 0:03:18.770 --> 0:03:21.740 and then we we kind of toyed with the idea 0:03:21.740 --> 0:03:26.510 about maybe both doing it. And, um, Dale contacted me 0:03:26.510 --> 0:03:30.050 later that evening because typical of Dale, um, once he 0:03:30.050 --> 0:03:33.800 gets something in his mind, he's onto it straight away. Um, 0:03:33.800 --> 0:03:38.300 so he'd contacted VA regarding the trek that day that 0:03:38.300 --> 0:03:43.670 we talked about it and got on to me and said, Sharon, thereafter, 0:03:43.670 --> 0:03:48.980 a charity representative, you should apply. And I'm like, oh, okay. 0:03:49.010 --> 0:03:51.320 I'll have a think about it. And he said, well, 0:03:51.320 --> 0:03:54.110 you've got until tomorrow. And you're. 0:03:54.290 --> 0:03:59.660 Right. Okay. Yeah, I'm a convincing person? Yes, certainly. 0:04:00.080 --> 0:04:05.750 Yes, he is very convincing person. So I that night, um, 0:04:05.780 --> 0:04:09.050 typed up an application and submitted it. 0:04:09.260 --> 0:04:13.460 Oh, wow. And I guess there's also it's worth mentioning 0:04:13.460 --> 0:04:18.140 that you've both had another relationship in terms of the 0:04:18.140 --> 0:04:22.640 fat sharing your, um, you've been dials on M for 0:04:22.640 --> 0:04:26.120 quite a little bit. So how did that start off 0:04:26.120 --> 0:04:30.469 and how long has that professional relationship been going on for? Yeah. 0:04:30.500 --> 0:04:35.240 Um, so I consider myself very fortunate to work with Dale. 0:04:35.270 --> 0:04:41.540 He's fantastic person to work with, and he inspires me 0:04:41.660 --> 0:04:44.270 every time I work with him as well. But in 0:04:44.270 --> 0:04:47.540 terms of how that all came about, I might actually 0:04:47.570 --> 0:04:51.920 hand over to Dale because, um, certainly revolves around Dale 0:04:51.950 --> 0:04:56.670 taking the initiative to come to Vision Australia when he 0:04:56.670 --> 0:04:59.159 lost his vision. So if you don't mind, I'll hand 0:04:59.160 --> 0:05:00.060 over to Dale. 0:05:00.090 --> 0:05:00.780 Absolutely. 0:05:00.900 --> 0:05:04.260 So, yeah. So, Sam, I lost significant sight last year. 0:05:04.260 --> 0:05:07.920 In May or June. I was diagnosed legally blind, struggled 0:05:07.920 --> 0:05:11.100 for a few weeks figuring out what to do and 0:05:11.100 --> 0:05:13.830 if I needed mobility aids and all those things while 0:05:13.830 --> 0:05:15.750 I was waiting for funding and all those things to 0:05:15.780 --> 0:05:18.240 come through. And I got to the point that I 0:05:18.240 --> 0:05:20.520 was desperate for a cane because I was starting to 0:05:20.550 --> 0:05:23.400 grip and bump into things. So after a couple of 0:05:23.400 --> 0:05:25.770 phone calls to Vision Australia, I went, I'm just going 0:05:25.800 --> 0:05:27.810 to come into the Lucas store, which is my local 0:05:27.810 --> 0:05:31.589 one in Ballarat. And um, they ended up teeing up 0:05:31.620 --> 0:05:33.870 a day later or a couple of days later, um, 0:05:33.870 --> 0:05:36.270 for me to meet Sharon off the cuff. She had 0:05:36.270 --> 0:05:38.880 a cancellation. So we had an impromptu hour and a 0:05:38.880 --> 0:05:42.540 half together, give or take back in, I'll say probably August. 0:05:42.570 --> 0:05:46.440 Last year we had a very impromptu chat and lesson 0:05:46.470 --> 0:05:50.070 on cane training for a little bit, and since then 0:05:50.070 --> 0:05:54.280 we've clicked. It's been a great professional relationship in what 0:05:54.280 --> 0:05:58.060 we do. It's great understanding of Sharon's got the understanding 0:05:58.060 --> 0:06:00.640 of what I need, because I'm fairly out there and 0:06:00.640 --> 0:06:04.810 go getter, and I listen as best I can. We'll 0:06:04.810 --> 0:06:08.410 say that nicely. Um, and, um, yeah, so that's sort 0:06:08.410 --> 0:06:10.570 of how it first came about. So over the last 0:06:10.570 --> 0:06:13.840 18 months, give or take, we touch base regularly. We 0:06:13.840 --> 0:06:16.630 chat regularly. We don't have a lot of sessions, but 0:06:16.630 --> 0:06:18.880 there's a lot of communication backwards and forwards when we 0:06:18.880 --> 0:06:22.240 need to about things I'm going to be doing in 0:06:22.240 --> 0:06:25.390 terms of travel or etc.. So Sharon gives massive amount 0:06:25.420 --> 0:06:28.960 of advice and guidance on what to do so that, um, 0:06:28.990 --> 0:06:30.910 I can be safe out there in the world when 0:06:30.910 --> 0:06:32.860 I go do it. So yeah, so that's sort of 0:06:32.860 --> 0:06:34.210 how it first came about. 0:06:34.480 --> 0:06:38.800 It's really interesting to hear that it's progressed so quickly. 0:06:38.830 --> 0:06:41.500 And it's just over a year now. You've gone from, 0:06:41.530 --> 0:06:44.320 you know, meeting up for the first time and now 0:06:44.320 --> 0:06:48.700 you're going on a massive trek together. That's an amazing story. 0:06:49.030 --> 0:06:49.960 So I guess. 0:06:50.080 --> 0:06:52.280 Yeah, part of that was when I did chat to 0:06:52.310 --> 0:06:54.469 Sharon about it, I thought about going on the one 0:06:54.470 --> 0:06:56.870 in March this year, but I ended up going to 0:06:56.900 --> 0:06:59.270 Kosciuszko at the same time and did a trek in 0:06:59.270 --> 0:07:03.500 Kosciuszko for a few days. So that sort of negated that. 0:07:03.500 --> 0:07:05.779 And then I was having a chat with Sharon only 0:07:05.810 --> 0:07:09.170 a couple of months ago, really. And my funding probably 0:07:09.170 --> 0:07:11.870 doesn't cover someone to support me. I don't need a 0:07:11.900 --> 0:07:14.930 lot of support, but it'd be nice to have someone around. 0:07:14.930 --> 0:07:17.900 And it was. How much support do you need? Dale 0:07:17.900 --> 0:07:20.390 from Sharon. So there was a bit of backwards and 0:07:20.390 --> 0:07:23.660 forwards and then sort of, as I say, once I 0:07:23.660 --> 0:07:25.670 get an idea in my head, I sort of run 0:07:25.670 --> 0:07:28.400 with it. So the phone call to the fundraising team 0:07:28.400 --> 0:07:31.190 and how we could go about things, and they said, oh, 0:07:31.220 --> 0:07:34.400 the charity rep spots open. So Sharon got a very 0:07:34.400 --> 0:07:36.860 quick phone call and a couple of weeks later got 0:07:36.860 --> 0:07:39.050 the nod to be the charity rep for Vision Australia, 0:07:39.050 --> 0:07:41.780 which is amazing. So she knows me well enough that 0:07:41.780 --> 0:07:45.290 she can support me in anything really technical I guess 0:07:45.470 --> 0:07:47.750 on the track, most of it I'll be fine on, 0:07:47.750 --> 0:07:49.970 but it's just those real. If there's anything a little 0:07:49.990 --> 0:07:52.570 bit more technical she can help guide me through to 0:07:52.600 --> 0:07:54.730 make sure I'm safe along with the other people in 0:07:54.760 --> 0:07:57.520 the group, obviously as well. So it's just nice to 0:07:57.520 --> 0:08:01.810 have someone around me that I know already. So yeah, 0:08:01.810 --> 0:08:03.400 so that's a real big bonus for me. 0:08:03.430 --> 0:08:07.120 Absolutely. And Sharon, I might come back to you and 0:08:07.120 --> 0:08:10.150 get your thoughts on what you sort of really looking 0:08:10.150 --> 0:08:13.270 forward to on the track, both with dial and with 0:08:13.270 --> 0:08:14.890 the group more broadly? 0:08:14.920 --> 0:08:16.300 Yeah, sure. 0:08:16.330 --> 0:08:20.560 Yeah, definitely looking forward to going to New Zealand again. 0:08:20.590 --> 0:08:24.220 I have been once before, but I went to the 0:08:24.220 --> 0:08:28.420 North Island. Um, and I certainly didn't do any trekking, 0:08:28.900 --> 0:08:33.340 but I have done a charity trek before in my 0:08:33.340 --> 0:08:39.459 previous life. I guess I say BC before children and yeah, 0:08:39.490 --> 0:08:43.869 I had a fantastic time. It was just the most 0:08:44.079 --> 0:08:49.300 incredible experience doing something that, you know, is, you know, 0:08:49.329 --> 0:08:53.770 a bit challenging and perhaps something that you wouldn't necessarily 0:08:53.770 --> 0:08:58.780 normally do. But knowing that everybody that's on the trek 0:08:58.809 --> 0:09:02.770 is there for the same reason. And I believe that 0:09:02.770 --> 0:09:09.640 such things, I guess, attract like minded people. And consequently, 0:09:09.670 --> 0:09:13.599 you know, everybody tends to get along quite well. So 0:09:13.599 --> 0:09:17.800 I'm really looking forward to meeting the other participants who 0:09:17.800 --> 0:09:21.880 we are in contact with via a WhatsApp group we've 0:09:21.880 --> 0:09:25.839 got going the VA marketing team and intrepid as well, 0:09:25.839 --> 0:09:29.530 organized for us all to be connected via WhatsApp. Um, 0:09:29.530 --> 0:09:33.070 so we've started communicating with each other and yeah, sharing 0:09:33.069 --> 0:09:38.319 ideas and also updating, encouraging each other in terms of training. 0:09:38.319 --> 0:09:42.729 So yeah, very much looking forward to putting faces to 0:09:42.760 --> 0:09:48.020 names and and actually speaking I guess in person, but 0:09:48.020 --> 0:09:52.520 just the whole experience really too. Really looking forward to. 0:09:52.550 --> 0:09:55.699 I love meeting new people and hearing their stories and 0:09:55.699 --> 0:09:58.280 having a good laugh as well. You know, not taking 0:09:58.280 --> 0:10:01.729 life too seriously. And I think that, you know, really 0:10:01.729 --> 0:10:04.910 helps to enjoy the experience as well. 0:10:05.150 --> 0:10:09.020 Certainly. And I'll come to you with the same sort 0:10:09.050 --> 0:10:12.199 of question, what's really jumping out for you as something, 0:10:12.229 --> 0:10:14.689 you know, really exciting or a few things that you're 0:10:14.689 --> 0:10:15.829 looking forward to? 0:10:16.280 --> 0:10:18.349 Sure. Well, I've never been to New Zealand, so that's 0:10:18.349 --> 0:10:21.590 exciting for a start. Certainly. Um, so I'm going to 0:10:21.589 --> 0:10:25.100 be loving doing that. It is the connections with other blind, 0:10:25.099 --> 0:10:27.170 low vision people that are on the trek and anyone 0:10:27.170 --> 0:10:28.910 else on the trek for that matter as well. And 0:10:28.910 --> 0:10:31.910 just to get to meet new people and be inspired 0:10:31.910 --> 0:10:34.579 and motivated by them. And hopefully as much as I 0:10:34.579 --> 0:10:37.189 can inspire and motivate them at the same time. And 0:10:37.189 --> 0:10:40.550 then broadly, it's about getting the message out there that 0:10:40.550 --> 0:10:43.790 blind or low vision people can do things that isn't 0:10:43.790 --> 0:10:47.300 just sedentary sitting inside and things like that, we can 0:10:47.329 --> 0:10:49.849 get out and do things like a five day trek 0:10:49.849 --> 0:10:52.219 and things like that, which is, I think, amazing to 0:10:52.250 --> 0:10:55.189 promote and say we can be active and we can 0:10:55.219 --> 0:10:57.980 be out there and enjoy life like everyone else. 0:10:58.010 --> 0:11:01.070 Within all of that, there are no doubt a few 0:11:01.069 --> 0:11:05.690 challenges and obstacles and things that you've faced at various points, 0:11:05.689 --> 0:11:08.030 but as we've mentioned, there's a lot of ways to 0:11:08.030 --> 0:11:11.929 adapt and overcome all those sort of things. But Dale, 0:11:11.929 --> 0:11:15.800 what have been some challenges you've faced with staying fit 0:11:15.800 --> 0:11:20.240 and making your way around new environments independently after you 0:11:20.240 --> 0:11:23.720 did experience vision loss? There's a lot of new adapting 0:11:23.719 --> 0:11:27.139 and making your way around in different ways. And how 0:11:27.140 --> 0:11:29.449 did you sort of navigate through that? 0:11:29.839 --> 0:11:33.559 Yeah, the first six weeks, as I say, was difficult, 0:11:33.559 --> 0:11:36.859 and I battled through. To be honest, it was frustrating. 0:11:36.859 --> 0:11:40.520 It was agonizing at points. There was sadness and all 0:11:40.520 --> 0:11:42.929 the bits and bobs in between. but it was just 0:11:42.929 --> 0:11:46.290 learning to use a lot of take my time repetition 0:11:46.290 --> 0:11:49.500 type stuff. And then once I got the cane and 0:11:49.530 --> 0:11:51.869 a little bit of training from Sharon, which is excellent 0:11:51.900 --> 0:11:53.519 training because at the end of the day, I only 0:11:53.520 --> 0:11:55.320 took an hour and a half. Um. 0:11:55.679 --> 0:11:57.120 That was all me. It was? 0:11:57.300 --> 0:12:00.059 Yes. You know, I went, okay, I can do this. 0:12:00.479 --> 0:12:03.720 There was an okay, I can do this moment. And 0:12:03.750 --> 0:12:06.420 for that, then it was just okay. How do I 0:12:06.420 --> 0:12:08.699 go about getting out and about in daily life? For 0:12:08.699 --> 0:12:11.309 a start, that was the first port and getting to 0:12:11.339 --> 0:12:14.670 Melbourne and safely and to my hospital appointments and things 0:12:14.670 --> 0:12:17.339 like that from Ballarat. So I sort of slowly but 0:12:17.339 --> 0:12:21.630 surely over six months at least gradually broadened my horizons, 0:12:21.630 --> 0:12:24.120 I guess is the easiest way to say it. So, um, 0:12:24.120 --> 0:12:28.620 from the local shops to the CBD of Ballarat to 0:12:28.650 --> 0:12:31.469 Melbourne to what I needed to do and gain confidence 0:12:31.469 --> 0:12:35.160 doing that every time on my own. Through some support workers, 0:12:35.160 --> 0:12:38.280 I've been able to get out and about and get 0:12:38.280 --> 0:12:40.880 really active in terms of fitness. So I've got an 0:12:40.880 --> 0:12:44.510 amazing support team with Ballarat Care in Ballarat and I've 0:12:44.510 --> 0:12:46.880 got a running guide through them, so he takes me 0:12:46.880 --> 0:12:49.819 running every Saturday morning for my local park run, um, 0:12:49.819 --> 0:12:52.429 which is A5K event, and day one for that was 0:12:52.429 --> 0:12:55.790 January this year. So the doctors allowed me to start 0:12:55.790 --> 0:12:58.369 running due to my health. So then we started doing 0:12:58.370 --> 0:13:01.429 that and we've built up from there. And um, in 0:13:01.429 --> 0:13:06.079 terms of the fitness and training things, I'm probably, I'll say, 0:13:06.260 --> 0:13:11.630 a very active person, um, very fit compared to a lot. 0:13:11.660 --> 0:13:14.929 So I've competed in a half marathon and a couple 0:13:14.959 --> 0:13:19.129 of other major events, including one Just gone this weekend, 0:13:19.160 --> 0:13:21.559 which was in Halls Gap in the Grampians called the 0:13:21.559 --> 0:13:27.080 GTP 100. And um, I will say it was challenging 0:13:27.079 --> 0:13:29.809 because it was some of the most technical terrain in 0:13:29.809 --> 0:13:32.449 Australia to cover as a blind, low vision person or 0:13:32.479 --> 0:13:35.360 as any person. More to the point, and my guide 0:13:35.359 --> 0:13:39.170 and I navigated 20 something kilometers of that. Wow. Um. 0:13:39.199 --> 0:13:42.679 Which is amazing. So, um, it was a very intense weekend, 0:13:42.679 --> 0:13:45.859 but we've got so much trust in each other. We 0:13:45.859 --> 0:13:48.410 just get out there and do our thing, which is awesome. 0:13:48.410 --> 0:13:50.390 And that's where the training side of things. I've got 0:13:50.390 --> 0:13:52.610 a treadmill at home, so I punch hours away on 0:13:52.609 --> 0:13:55.220 the treadmill just to keep up fitness because I can't 0:13:55.219 --> 0:13:57.409 have him all the time with me. But we get 0:13:57.410 --> 0:13:59.839 out at least once a week and do something fitness 0:13:59.870 --> 0:14:02.599 wise out there so I can feel the earth under 0:14:02.599 --> 0:14:05.780 my feet, so to speak, and understand what those nuances 0:14:05.780 --> 0:14:07.129 are so that I keep safe. 0:14:13.670 --> 0:14:17.630 On Sam Culley and you're listening to Talking Vision on 0:14:17.630 --> 0:14:23.239 Vision Australia Radio, Associated Stations of Reading Radio and the 0:14:23.240 --> 0:14:28.999 Community Radio Network. That concludes part one of my conversation 0:14:29.000 --> 0:14:33.920 with Dale Pearce and Sharon Taylor, two of the participants 0:14:33.920 --> 0:14:38.340 in next year's trek for vision. If you missed any 0:14:38.340 --> 0:14:42.930 part of that conversation with Dale and Sharon, Talking Vision 0:14:42.930 --> 0:14:48.300 is available on the Vision Australia Radio website. Simply head 0:14:48.330 --> 0:14:55.020 to VA radio.org. That's VA radio.org to hear the full show. 0:14:55.050 --> 0:14:58.680 You can also find Talking Vision on the podcast app 0:14:58.680 --> 0:15:03.090 of your choice or through the Vision Australia library. And 0:15:03.090 --> 0:15:07.920 now please enjoy part two of my conversation with Dale 0:15:07.920 --> 0:15:12.390 and Sharon. Sharon, what's it been like to, um, experience 0:15:12.390 --> 0:15:17.070 those breakthroughs with Dale and help each other through various 0:15:17.070 --> 0:15:21.869 situations and get the feedback and have that assistance there, 0:15:21.900 --> 0:15:24.150 and how does that feel to be able to do 0:15:24.150 --> 0:15:27.540 that and see this person doing these amazing, you know, 0:15:27.570 --> 0:15:31.290 half marathons and going on this trek and all that 0:15:31.290 --> 0:15:32.250 sort of thing. 0:15:32.280 --> 0:15:33.930 He's a bit of a show off, isn't he? 0:15:33.960 --> 0:15:34.259 Yeah. 0:15:37.810 --> 0:15:44.050 Yeah. Look, as I said, Dale inspires me as well. He, 0:15:44.080 --> 0:15:46.960 you know, from what he went through that would have 0:15:46.990 --> 0:15:51.520 broken anybody. But Dale kind of picked himself up and 0:15:51.520 --> 0:15:54.880 just went. You know what? What do I need to do? 0:15:54.880 --> 0:15:58.540 And just kept looking forward rather than looking back. And yeah, 0:15:58.540 --> 0:16:04.690 it just has such a positive, motivating attitude and it's infectious. 0:16:04.690 --> 0:16:07.630 You can't help but absorb that. And as Dale mentioned, 0:16:07.660 --> 0:16:11.920 like in terms of orientation and mobility training, having sight 0:16:11.950 --> 0:16:15.610 beforehand and a good mental mapping skills as well, good 0:16:15.609 --> 0:16:20.170 spatial abilities. Dale picked it up really, really quickly and 0:16:20.170 --> 0:16:23.109 then just went with it. And then, you know, every, 0:16:23.290 --> 0:16:25.840 every so often I'd get a phone call or an 0:16:25.840 --> 0:16:28.270 email saying, Hey Sharon, when can you put me in next? 0:16:28.270 --> 0:16:30.759 I want to I want to do Melbourne. I want to, 0:16:30.790 --> 0:16:33.739 you know, learn the trams or, you know, the different 0:16:33.770 --> 0:16:38.270 travel routes to the inner hospital. And it was just go, go, go. 0:16:38.300 --> 0:16:41.930 Which is fantastic. And yeah, he's just, you know, always 0:16:41.930 --> 0:16:46.940 looking for, you know, the next challenge. And yeah, I 0:16:46.940 --> 0:16:52.430 feel very lazy compared to Daniel because I on the 0:16:52.430 --> 0:16:55.100 other hand, do not do half marathons. 0:16:55.100 --> 0:16:56.510 So don't you worry. 0:16:57.350 --> 0:17:02.239 Well actually no I do not do running. I enjoy walking, 0:17:02.240 --> 0:17:06.409 but that's as far as my exercise goes. But Dale 0:17:06.410 --> 0:17:10.430 and I have been we've started we've we've started on 0:17:10.430 --> 0:17:14.360 our training together. Of course, Dale does all his, you know, 0:17:14.389 --> 0:17:17.930 treadmill stuff and his five K runs every weekend. And 0:17:17.930 --> 0:17:21.530 he's half marathons here and there and in between time. 0:17:21.530 --> 0:17:24.830 But we've just started our training together for the trek. 0:17:24.830 --> 0:17:29.720 So we've been walking around Lake Wendouree at a decent pace, 0:17:29.720 --> 0:17:32.430 I guess. Yeah. And what would you say was that? 0:17:32.550 --> 0:17:34.320 Six. Six kilometers? Yeah. 0:17:34.350 --> 0:17:37.800 Six kilometers. So that's been really great. So, you know, 0:17:37.830 --> 0:17:40.920 we just, you know, chat about stuff and, you know, 0:17:40.950 --> 0:17:43.950 preparing what we need to think about, I guess for 0:17:43.950 --> 0:17:48.060 the trek and our ideas for fundraising and things like that. 0:17:48.090 --> 0:17:48.450 And I get. 0:17:48.450 --> 0:17:50.669 Some cheeky O&M sessions in at the same time. So 0:17:50.669 --> 0:17:51.510 it's great. Oh. 0:17:52.440 --> 0:17:52.770 Yeah. 0:17:52.800 --> 0:17:56.160 Well, well, I also get to hang off your companion 0:17:56.190 --> 0:17:56.850 as well. 0:17:56.879 --> 0:17:59.010 I do have a guide dog as well, Sam, so 0:17:59.280 --> 0:17:59.550 her name. 0:17:59.580 --> 0:18:00.119 Is Anna. 0:18:00.270 --> 0:18:02.130 So I've only had her a few months, so I'm 0:18:02.129 --> 0:18:04.350 still learning the process at the same time. But yeah, 0:18:04.379 --> 0:18:07.320 she's amazing for me as well. She's currently snoring underneath 0:18:07.320 --> 0:18:08.700 my feet, so yeah. 0:18:09.419 --> 0:18:10.230 Oh, perfect. 0:18:10.230 --> 0:18:15.570 So sometimes the training around the lake John has come out. Yeah. 0:18:15.600 --> 0:18:19.140 And other times you've used the cane which has been 0:18:19.139 --> 0:18:21.689 really great. So it's good to have I guess both 0:18:21.690 --> 0:18:23.850 experiences as well isn't it. Yeah. 0:18:23.850 --> 0:18:26.040 So yeah. Because on the trek, Sam, I probably won't 0:18:26.070 --> 0:18:28.889 take Jana for the five days. It's as much. She's 0:18:28.889 --> 0:18:31.109 quite a young pup still. So while I've got the 0:18:31.109 --> 0:18:33.780 site level, I've got to save a lot of rigmarole 0:18:33.780 --> 0:18:37.050 and transitions for her. I'll probably just bored her for 0:18:37.050 --> 0:18:38.489 the week, and then I'll be able to do the 0:18:38.490 --> 0:18:41.310 trek with my cane and hiking poles and engage that way. 0:18:41.310 --> 0:18:45.360 So yeah. And Dale, I'm keen to stay with you 0:18:45.359 --> 0:18:49.470 and get your input on why the trek is so 0:18:49.470 --> 0:18:53.159 important for the work that Vision Australia does. And this 0:18:53.159 --> 0:18:55.920 is where it sort of ties into what I was 0:18:55.919 --> 0:18:59.220 kind of foreshadowing at the beginning with your work on 0:18:59.220 --> 0:19:03.000 the CIJ, the client reference group, and how you got 0:19:03.000 --> 0:19:06.630 involved with that, and how that's all tying in with 0:19:06.629 --> 0:19:10.739 why this trek is so important to you in particular? 0:19:10.980 --> 0:19:14.490 Yeah. So with the CRG, I've always been in a 0:19:14.490 --> 0:19:17.760 previous life I was a chef and mentor and quite 0:19:17.790 --> 0:19:21.030 a big industry advocate, doing a lot of actual advocacy 0:19:21.030 --> 0:19:26.129 work as well for young chefs and apprentices across Australia, 0:19:26.139 --> 0:19:28.810 and particularly Adelaide, where I was living at the time. 0:19:28.810 --> 0:19:32.859 So after losing sight, I was sort of sitting there going, 0:19:32.859 --> 0:19:35.290 I can't engage how I used to in an industry 0:19:35.290 --> 0:19:38.710 that I loved, um, and still do love, but an 0:19:38.710 --> 0:19:42.010 opportunity through. Oddly enough, the Vision Australia Facebook page popped 0:19:42.010 --> 0:19:45.609 up for the CRG and I went, oh, I sent it, 0:19:45.639 --> 0:19:48.729 actually sent it to a friend and said thoughts? And 0:19:48.730 --> 0:19:50.979 that was all I wrote. And she goes, do you 0:19:50.980 --> 0:19:53.830 want me to apply for you? Um, as just like, 0:19:53.859 --> 0:19:56.469 you should do this, let's go. So I took it 0:19:56.470 --> 0:19:59.260 as an opportunity not only to do some good and 0:19:59.260 --> 0:20:02.140 advocate for blind, low vision people that are just starting 0:20:02.139 --> 0:20:04.389 out in their journey. Because essentially, I was three months 0:20:04.389 --> 0:20:07.359 into my vision loss when I applied for that role, 0:20:07.359 --> 0:20:10.149 but also to be able to engage my peers. That 0:20:10.149 --> 0:20:13.450 was really important for me. And there's the peer quality 0:20:13.450 --> 0:20:16.090 peer groups and the quality living groups that are through 0:20:16.119 --> 0:20:18.790 VA as well. But it was for me, it was 0:20:18.820 --> 0:20:22.869 a real opportunity to engage at a higher level and 0:20:22.869 --> 0:20:25.729 see what the process is and learn. I learn really 0:20:25.730 --> 0:20:28.189 well through that of seeing the behind the scenes. I 0:20:28.220 --> 0:20:30.200 guess is the easiest way to say it, and the 0:20:30.200 --> 0:20:35.180 people on the crew are all incredibly passionate people, very 0:20:35.180 --> 0:20:38.119 motivated to do not only the right thing for themselves 0:20:38.119 --> 0:20:41.330 blind low vision people, but also Vision Australia. So we 0:20:41.330 --> 0:20:44.210 tell it like it is and we've got direct access 0:20:44.210 --> 0:20:46.580 to the board and the Vision Australia management, which is 0:20:46.609 --> 0:20:49.310 and they listen and that's a beautiful thing. Not many 0:20:49.310 --> 0:20:51.859 businesses out there are prepared to have a group of 0:20:51.859 --> 0:20:55.850 people that are clients essentially be quite open and honest 0:20:55.850 --> 0:20:58.370 about the processes and what they feel is happening, good 0:20:58.369 --> 0:21:01.039 or bad, within Vision Australia. And there's an awful lot 0:21:01.070 --> 0:21:03.350 of good, and there's a few things that need improvement. 0:21:03.350 --> 0:21:07.070 And we happily tell them and they listen. And over 0:21:07.070 --> 0:21:09.950 time those processes change so that we can have a 0:21:09.950 --> 0:21:13.400 great impact on all people with blind, low vision, no 0:21:13.399 --> 0:21:16.070 matter what stage they're at in their journey. So yeah. 0:21:16.070 --> 0:21:19.010 So the krg's been fantastic. I've been on just over 0:21:19.010 --> 0:21:21.889 a year now of my first three years, and hopefully 0:21:21.889 --> 0:21:23.490 I'll roll over to the next. So I'll be on 0:21:23.490 --> 0:21:25.920 for six years in total. And in terms of, I guess, 0:21:25.950 --> 0:21:28.500 linking that back to the trek again, we can start 0:21:28.500 --> 0:21:31.050 to shape with some of the funding that comes through, 0:21:31.080 --> 0:21:33.060 we can start to look at how we shape Vision 0:21:33.090 --> 0:21:36.869 Australia's quality living programs to actually benefit people. So the 0:21:36.869 --> 0:21:40.469 more money that comes in through fundraising, the more opportunities 0:21:40.500 --> 0:21:43.290 Vision Australia has to actually help more blind low vision 0:21:43.290 --> 0:21:44.910 people through those programs. 0:21:44.970 --> 0:21:48.300 And Sharon, did you have anything to add there in 0:21:48.300 --> 0:21:53.070 terms of what's really so important to yourself as an 0:21:53.070 --> 0:21:57.240 owner and somebody involved in Vision Australia in that capacity? 0:21:57.540 --> 0:21:58.860 Yeah, yeah. 0:21:58.950 --> 0:22:06.480 As a service provider, I go to people's homes, their workplaces, schools, 0:22:06.480 --> 0:22:12.090 universities or meet people within the community. And I've met 0:22:12.119 --> 0:22:16.199 many people who've had the experience or the support and 0:22:16.200 --> 0:22:21.190 assistance from the quality living groups. And I get to 0:22:21.220 --> 0:22:24.820 see which, you know, I feel very fortunate about. I 0:22:24.820 --> 0:22:27.399 get to see how much of a difference it does 0:22:27.399 --> 0:22:31.659 make in people's lives, and it really does make a 0:22:31.659 --> 0:22:36.850 huge difference, to the point where I will actually encourage 0:22:36.850 --> 0:22:40.660 people to do the groups, or at least to receive 0:22:40.690 --> 0:22:43.900 a phone call to hear more about it, because I 0:22:43.899 --> 0:22:47.530 do really see how much of a difference it makes. 0:22:47.710 --> 0:22:52.330 It really, really helps to connect people, because often people 0:22:52.330 --> 0:22:56.679 feel like they're the only one going through this experience, 0:22:56.680 --> 0:23:00.940 and they may not have met another person that has 0:23:00.940 --> 0:23:05.440 had significant sight loss before. So they do feel very 0:23:05.440 --> 0:23:11.560 alone and feel like their world has completely changed. So 0:23:11.590 --> 0:23:17.950 having the opportunity to chat together and discuss a shared experience, 0:23:17.980 --> 0:23:23.960 it really is a bonding experience. But also the program 0:23:23.960 --> 0:23:30.529 provides tips and strategies that people share ideas as well about, 0:23:30.560 --> 0:23:34.040 you know, things that they've discovered works for them. The 0:23:34.040 --> 0:23:40.190 program also delivers guest speakers from various services of Vision Australia, 0:23:40.220 --> 0:23:50.720 including assistive technology specialists, occupational therapists, orthoptists, and Orientation Mobility instructors, 0:23:50.960 --> 0:23:54.650 to mention a few. So yeah, I really do see 0:23:54.680 --> 0:23:59.359 how important these programs are. So more than happy to 0:23:59.389 --> 0:24:03.560 promote that honestly out in the community and try and 0:24:03.560 --> 0:24:04.760 raise funds for it. 0:24:04.790 --> 0:24:07.820 Sharon, I'll stay with you and just get some of 0:24:07.820 --> 0:24:12.469 those details about how people can find out more about 0:24:12.470 --> 0:24:16.890 the Trek for vision and also raise vital funds for 0:24:16.889 --> 0:24:18.390 these services? 0:24:18.419 --> 0:24:19.680 Yeah, sure. 0:24:19.680 --> 0:24:23.550 So yeah, there are still spots available on the track. 0:24:23.550 --> 0:24:29.399 And so if you're even remotely considering it or think 0:24:29.700 --> 0:24:32.070 that might, you know, I'm interested or I'd like to 0:24:32.070 --> 0:24:36.420 hear more about it, definitely contact Vision Australia. So you 0:24:36.419 --> 0:24:39.870 can either go to the website and do a search 0:24:39.869 --> 0:24:44.790 for track for vision, or you can contact Myra from 0:24:44.820 --> 0:24:49.830 the marketing team, marketing and fundraising team at Vision Australia, 0:24:49.830 --> 0:24:57.449 who's brilliant at discussing all the intricate details required. And look, 0:24:57.450 --> 0:25:00.629 I did have the thought of, oh gosh, you know, 0:25:00.659 --> 0:25:04.140 would I be able to do something like this because 0:25:04.139 --> 0:25:08.340 I'm not that fit. But you know, I soon realised 0:25:08.340 --> 0:25:12.060 that no, I can do this. And certainly when you 0:25:12.060 --> 0:25:16.469 meet other people that you know, they're putting their challenges 0:25:16.500 --> 0:25:22.109 aside and using their motivation and mental strength to do 0:25:22.109 --> 0:25:24.570 such a thing. It's very easy then to go, you 0:25:24.570 --> 0:25:27.479 know what? I can do this too. So you don't 0:25:27.480 --> 0:25:31.379 have to be super fit like Mr. Dale over here. 0:25:32.399 --> 0:25:36.780 You could be like me. Not particularly fit, but, you know. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. 0:25:36.810 --> 0:25:40.409 I'm improving, I'm improving. But, you know, enjoy getting out 0:25:40.409 --> 0:25:45.510 in nature and enjoy a good, solid walk. And on 0:25:45.510 --> 0:25:49.560 the web page on Division Australia for Trek for vision, 0:25:49.560 --> 0:25:54.000 it does let you know all about the trek, including 0:25:54.000 --> 0:25:58.200 what happens on each day where you meet at the beginning, 0:25:58.200 --> 0:26:02.669 where you stay, what's covered, the costs involved, and the 0:26:02.669 --> 0:26:07.949 fundraising amount that is required by each individual. Also, people 0:26:07.950 --> 0:26:11.730 are able to bring a support person as well if 0:26:11.730 --> 0:26:13.240 that is required. 0:26:13.240 --> 0:26:16.179 And each individual participant as well has got their own 0:26:16.240 --> 0:26:20.020 fundraising page. So we can use QR codes. So Sharon 0:26:20.020 --> 0:26:22.060 and I will both be putting up posters and things 0:26:22.060 --> 0:26:25.119 like that around local businesses to get support and doing 0:26:25.119 --> 0:26:28.270 some fundraising stuff there. And basically people can click on 0:26:28.270 --> 0:26:31.240 a QR code and go straight to our pages and donate. 0:26:31.240 --> 0:26:33.550 And it's also through a search, I believe, through the 0:26:33.550 --> 0:26:35.830 Vision Australia website, you'll be able to find those pages 0:26:35.830 --> 0:26:36.430 as well. 0:26:36.460 --> 0:26:41.290 Well, I've been speaking today with Dale Pearce and Sharon Taylor, 0:26:41.320 --> 0:26:45.909 both taking part in next year's Trek for vision. Taking 0:26:45.909 --> 0:26:50.800 place over five days in New Zealand from April 29th 0:26:50.800 --> 0:26:56.560 to May 3rd, 2025. Dale, Sharon, thank you so much 0:26:56.560 --> 0:26:59.140 for your time today. Great to catch up with you 0:26:59.139 --> 0:27:01.120 and chat all about the trek. 0:27:01.149 --> 0:27:02.350 Thanks very much, Sam. 0:27:02.379 --> 0:27:03.280 Yeah. Thanks, Sam. 0:27:03.310 --> 0:27:04.480 Good to talk to you too. 0:27:11.270 --> 0:27:14.359 And that's all the time we have for today. You've 0:27:14.389 --> 0:27:18.590 been listening to Talking Vision. Talking vision is a Vision 0:27:18.619 --> 0:27:22.789 Australia radio production. Thanks to all involved with putting the 0:27:22.790 --> 0:27:26.990 show together every week. And remember, we love hearing from you. 0:27:26.990 --> 0:27:30.290 So please get in touch any time on our email 0:27:30.290 --> 0:27:35.570 at Talking Vision. At Vision australia.org. That's talking vision or 0:27:35.570 --> 0:27:40.369 one word at Vision australia.org. But until next week it's 0:27:40.369 --> 0:27:42.830 Sam Colley saying bye for now. 0:27:46.220 --> 0:27:50.390 You can contact Vision Australia by phoning us anytime during 0:27:50.389 --> 0:28:02.270 business hours on 1300 847 406. That's 1300 847 406 or by visiting Vision australia.org. 0:28:02.270 --> 0:28:04.790 That's Vision australia.org.