Gilbert’s vision loss journey

Finding my way with Shine by my side

Gilbert, from Motueka, is a father of four and proud grandfather of two. Despite facing the challenges of significant vision loss, Gilbert’s determination, along with support from Blind Low Vision NZ and his loved ones, has helped him rebuild his confidence and reconnect with the world around him.

Eight years ago, Gilbert started noticing something was wrong with his sight. “My friend was standing right in front of me, but I didn’t see him. I thought he was a stranger and pushed him out of the way.” Soon after, Gilbert’s eyes were tested. Doctors found “dead spots” behind his eyeballs. He was diagnosed with cone rod dystrophy and keratoconus.

The news hit hard. “I became a couch hugger,” Gilbert says. He felt destroyed. “To be honest, I didn’t want to know much of life anymore because it’s like I’ve lost the view of seeing everything that I was used to doing it. [More than anything], I wanted to see my kids, my granddaughter. It hurt a lot. I really felt sad.”

But something changed. “If it weren’t for my sister, I wouldn’t have found Blind Low Vision NZ,” said Gilbert, referring to his dear friend as his sister. “I’m so grateful to her for leading me to the support I needed.” Then, Gilbert decided he couldn’t just sit still. He started working with Blind Low Vision NZ and learned to use a white cane. “At first, people wanted to take me places, but I refused. I was scared of losing so much sight. But with the cane, I felt more relaxed. I started walking again and realised I’d been trapping myself at home.”

With support from his Rehab Instructor and a support worker, Gilbert started to rebuild his life. “They held me up and uplifted me. They really started to make me feel comfortable within myself again.” He’s also grateful for Shine, the name for his white cane, and the one thing he could not go without. “Shine’s made a lot of difference to my life. Without it, it would’ve been a struggle.”

Since the diagnosis, Gilbert’s vision has deteriorated further, but he feels secure thanks to his white cane and the technology he relies on daily. “I use my cane, Shine, every day. Shine is like my other girlfriend. I walk with her every single day, and she makes sure I’m walking right. Shine has really become my independence.”

Recently, Gilbert received a new mobile phone, which has made a huge difference. Andrea, one of Blind Low Vision NZ’s Adaptive Technology Instructors, helped him set it up. “Without Andrea’s advice, I wouldn’t have been where I am right now,” Gilbert shares. He now finds communication much easier and uses updated apps to navigate supermarket shelves and locations.

Gilbert has learned to embrace life despite its challenges. “I’m happy and so grateful that I am moving around. I respect life as it is today more than I used to when I could see with two eyes. I totally understand the difference between sight and being non-sighted.”

His message to others is clear. “It’s hard at the beginning, but there’s a lot of support out there for us. [Sometimes] we just need to ask for it. You realise that you lost your sight, but you still have so many other things. There’s a good life out there for us. I’m proud of everything that Blind Low Vision does for all of us and proud to have their support when I thought I had no one.”

Gilbert isn’t sitting still anymore. He’s living his life again.

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.