Elaine’s Vision Loss Journey

Elaine has always been someone who brings people together. She has been involved in volunteering for as long as she can remember, always finding ways to support her community. In 1964, she took on a new challenge—starting a Playcentre in her area. “It took a lot of planning, but we opened 18 months later,” she recalls. “Playcentres have grown all over the country, and our effort is still flourishing today.”
She and her husband have four children, six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. Three of them live nearby, often popping in with food or a lift when needed. “We’re a very supportive family unit,” she says.
For years, Elaine loved to paint and write. She even put together a collection of short stories about her and her husband’s lives. But her eye condition has made things harder. She has macular degeneration and glaucoma and lost the vision in her right eye in 2022. “It was such a fright. You think, how will I cope? What if I lose my other eye? Will we have to go into care?”
That’s when Elaine was referred to Blind Low Vision NZ. Otto was her first contact. “He was wonderful, with such a kind voice,” she recalls. He helped her with counselling and made sure she had the support she needed. Laura helped her set up voice recognition on her phone. “I use emails a lot, and now I can enlarge text and speak to my phone instead of typing.”
“I asked them if they went to a special school to teach you how to be lovely,” she jokes.
An Alexa device has also made a huge difference. On a particularly tough day, she asked it to play something calming. It chose Don’t Worry, Be Happy. She laughs about it now. “There has just been so much help. I know that if I feel down, I can call someone, and someone will listen.”
Blind Low Vision NZ also helped her with small but life-changing adjustments. A Primary Service Provider placed bumps on her stove and air fryer, so she can carry on cooking even with low vision. “If I hadn’t known about this, I would be really floundering.”
Elaine’s sight continues to change, but she’s not facing it alone. “It is the most wonderful thing that gives me the biggest sense of relief. I know that if I contacted either Helena or Laura, I would get the most caring and loving approach from them. If I feel down, I can call someone, and someone will listen.”
Now living in a retirement village in Auckland, Elaine has helped set up community groups, organised activities like the ‘Neighbourly Group who regularly meet for day trips and other adventures, and made sure no one feels alone. “Support is so important when you feel like this.”
If you or someone you know could benefit from our services, call Blind Low Vision NZ on 0800 24 33 33 or use the Make an Enquiry form on our Contact Us page.