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Guest Speaker Report Wednesday 27 April 2011 by Rotarian Ian Johnson (reporter) Our guest speaker was Jenny Abela. Jenny works with Vision Australia. Jenny was introduced by Connie Galletta. Jenny told us that she was born about 100 Kilometres from Tamworth. She was born with an eye complaint that gradually got worse. At school Jenny could read large print. Jenny’s joyful country childhood was interrupted at age 8 ˝ when her mother passed away. Jenny was sent to a boarding school which she did not like. She could not read the board and was told to sit at the back and draw. An aunt helped Jenny come to Sydney where she learnt Braille at the Royal Blind Society. Jenny also attended TAFE for adult education and benefited greatly from “talking books” and modern computers adapted for the vision impaired. Jenny advised us that she is a keen gardener and is able to mow her lawn. She also loves to play golf using a guide (person). Jenny has played golf in Japan and is planning to go to Ireland soon to play. Jenny uses a cane to get around. She advised us that her other senses have developed to compensate for her lack of vision to some extent. Jenny informed us that she can shop at the butchers and the greengrocers but has difficulties at the supermarket. She hopes to learn to do shopping using the internet soon. Jenny asked Nick Gleeson, who was also present, to talk to us briefly about his guide dog Unity. Nick told us that as he got older Unity helped him to cope as a worker and a friend. He also told us how Unity had saved him from injury by stopping him from entering the path of a fast moving car. Nick advised us that he found Jenny’s story to be a powerful one. He told us that when Jenny’s husband died in 2000 her Doctor thought she would need to enter an aged care facility. Jenny has obviously proved the doctor wrong and leads an independent and active life. Jenny was thanked by P Peter Smith.
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