Category: News

One of our members Tom Archer has recently achieved a GOLD medal in a water skiing competition! He gives us an account of his journey and how he got to win the gold:

“‘Over the recent bank holiday weekend, I entered what was only my second water skiing competition. I entered the same competition last year, despite the fact that it was my first competition last year I was entered as an intermediate. Unfortunately I didn’t perform to my best and I made quite a big mistake… Falling in. However I still came away with a bronze medal.

This year, despite the fact that the weather was horrible on the day, I managed to perform to my best and made no major mistakes. It was fun and I felt so good about my performance that I couldn’t help but give a little punch in the air as I came in at the end of my set. I was so pleased and excited when they announced me the winner of the intermediate category and presented me with a gold medal. I was then surprised and elated when they awarded me with a trophy for outstanding achievement because they had noticed a vast improvement from last year.

It all started in 2016, having tried out water skiing with the British disabled Water ski and Wake board Association at Ellingham Lake a couple of times, I decided to take it seriously. When I first tried I took to it like a duck to water. With the help of the instructors I managed to stand up my first time and I made it round the lake for two laps without falling in. Throughout the 2016 season in order for me to progress the instructors began to give me a little less help and encourage me instead of just staying behind the boat to play around and to cross the wake. They didn’t push me too hard as they also wanted me just to have fun.

Then begins the difficult 2017 season, I made it my goal to Ski (Waterski) without the help of the instructors. Obviously they would still give me instructions from the boat, either using a whistle or a helmet that is connected to a walkie talkie. However, I found this incredibly difficult and I think I spend more time in the water then on the water. I found this very frustrating and hope that no one noticed, but I think that my tantrums gave it away. But then on the 5th of October, which would have been my final session of this season, I finally managed it. I started the session off skiing along side an instructor, but it wasn’t going very well and for some reason I kept falling in. It suddenly occurred to me that I had nothing to lose so might as well try a solo start, as the boat pulled away I held on and stood up successfully. I received a massive cheer from everyone on the boat and couldn’t help but punch the air. Luckily, I stayed on my feet whilst holding on with one hand. As the BDWWA only hire the facilities at Ellingham lake twice a month, they encouraged me to join the Ellingham waterski and Wake board club. Meaning that I had another session to add on before the end of the season and since the start of this year’s season, which began in a very chilly March I have been skiing at least once a week.

From this point the next progression is that instead of skiing on a pair of skis, to ski on a mono ski. This is a lot more maneuverable and allows the participant to ski around the bouy on the slalom course. I then had to balance my time between perfecting the art of skiing on a pair of skis in order to win the competition this year and try to progress onto a monoski. Again this has been very difficult and I won’t lie has caused me to throw all of my toys out of the pram on a regular basis. As soon as I finished the competition this year I made it my target to be skiing on a monoski before the end of this season (October). Bolstered on by my performance and success, on the 1st of September I finally managed to independently start on a monoski and complete one lap of the lake and I was even able to play around with crossing the wake.  Now the world is my oyster!

None of this would have been possible if it weren’t for the brilliance of the British disabled Waterski and Wake board Association (Southwest), they cater for all kinds of disabilities and it is for everyone whether they just want to have fun or if they are like me and are super competitive and everyone in between. Of course without the Dorset Blind Association I may never have discovered this. I would encourage anyone to check it out, even if you don’t actually want to have a go.”

We are so pleased for Tom and wish to congratulate him on all of his fantastic achievements!

We are hosting our Centenary Ball this October to commemorate the one hundred years that the charity been supporting local people suffering from serious sight loss. The prestigious event will take place on Saturday 13th October at The Hilton Hotel, Bournemouth, with over 120 attendees expected to attend.

The charity’s Centenary Ball is unique this year in celebrating its 100th anniversary, so expect even more razzle-dazzle than the usual Masquerade Ball that the charity runs annually. Dorset Blind Association invites local supporters, volunteers and the visually impaired members to join the evening’s celebrations to indulge in the luxury of this black tie event whilst celebrating a fantastic one hundred years of service. Guests will have the opportunity to meet the charities Patrons; Lord Julian and Lady Emma Fellowes, plus the President of Dorset Blind Association, James Weld of the Lulworth Estate.

Jonathan Holyhead, Chief Executive Officer at Dorset Blind Association said, “We are really excited to be celebrating the milestone of our charity’s 100th birthday with our Centenary Ball and I am sure that everyone who joins us will have a wonderful evening. We are proud of all we have achieved for blind and partially sighted people throughout the county during those one hundred years, but also acutely aware that serious sight loss will still be a blight on too many people’s lives in Dorset for the foreseeable future, so we don’t just want people to help us to celebrate the past, but also to help ensure we are strong for the future and always able to help all the people who will still need us in the years ahead.”

Guests will be welcomed by a glass of fizz and then treated to a sumptuous 3 course meal including wine and coffee, followed by fabulous entertainment from the local favourites ‘Swing Unlimited Big Band’, who will definitely get the guests dancing the night away. Guests will also be able to try their luck at the Viva Las Vegas casino, raffle and luxury auction.

This great event is once again sponsored by local Dorset company, Blue Sky Financial Planning. Gary Neild, Managing Director, has been a long-standing supporter of Dorset Blind Association.
Gary Neild says: “I am delighted to once again be supporting a Dorset Blind Association event. This is a charity close to my heart and as a company, Blue Sky Financial Planning are dedicated to showing our support. The work DBA do with so many local people is invaluable. I’ll be bringing some of my team, clients and guests – we’re all looking forward to a super evening.”

We receive no statutory funding, despite the importance of the work and therefore rely on the kind support of local people to help keep the vital services going. The value of the charity’s work was recognised last year by us receiving The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, an award that highlights the dedication of the charity and its volunteers to its members and the local community.

The charities Centenary Ball will be held at The Hilton Hotel, Bournemouth, BH2 5EL. Tickets are £60.00 per person or £600.00 for a table of 10.  If you would like to attend the charity’s Centenary Ball on Saturday 13th October then contact Helena Sinclair on 01202 712864 or go to: www.dbacentenaryball2018.eventbrite.co.uk

The Owlett is a little device that sits in the corner of your room that can help you identify the objects around your house. You can simply place an item in front of it, wait a few seconds, and it will describe it for you in detail. It is able to identify what the object is, the colour of the object and any writing that it may have on it. It is accessible and easy to use and is able to eliminate background interference by providing a dedicated area to place objects, so that the device cannot wrongly identify an object.

‘I see a ball of wool, its blue’

After watching a parent slowly lose their vision and begin to feel isolated from the people and things around them, as many blind and partially sighted people do,  Billy Wood imagined a camera that could easily identify objects to help around the house and ease feelings of isolation. After many prototypes and testing and input from Blind charities, Billy’s imagined camera became the Owlett.

“I see a Christmas card. The text says, To a very Special Couple with Love this Christmas”

We think the Owlett is a very useful, accessible piece of technology that is simple to use and has the potential to have a positive impact on the lives of blind or visually impaired people living in Dorset. If you would like more information please visit the website: http://theowlett.com .

 

The Royal Voluntary Service is running a free home library service across Dorset. The scheme operates from most libraries in Dorset, Bournemouth and Poole and involves volunteers bringing a selection of books, large print, DVDs, CDs and audio tapes to people in their homes on a regular basis.

Royal Voluntary Service Books on Wheels operates by asking users to complete a questionnaire to indicate their tastes and preferences, but also over time, the friendly volunteer will get to know those that they are helping to such an extent, that they will begin to make their own recommendations and bring a selection of books or audio tapes they believe will be of interest.

Maria Jacobson, service manager for Dorset Home Library Service, says “For people who enjoy reading or listening to an audio recording but find getting out of the house challenging, this service offers a vital link to the local library. The service enables them to carry on doing something they’ve always enjoyed.”

We think this is an excellent service which may of interest to our members, so if you would like more information or to request a visit please contact the Royal Voluntary Service office on 01305 236666 or email maria.jacobson@royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk. Alternatively, you may speak to staff at your local library or visit the Royal Voluntary Service website for more information.

Can you help us take part in the Big Give Christmas Challenge 2018? We need a pledge total of £3,750 to move onto the next stage. All we ask is a £100 pledge before the 31st August that does not need to be paid until January 2019!

With your support of a pledge we hope to raise £15,000 that will enable us to continue running our valued social clubs so any help would be greatly appreciated.

CLICK HERE TO PLEDGE

On Thursday 12th July 2018 we held our Volunteers Centenary Celebration and were awarded the Queens Award for Voluntary Service, recognising the loyalty and hard work of our volunteers. The event was held at Lulworth Castle to congratulate and thank all of our fantastic volunteers that have been doing amazing work for the charity and within the local community, much of which would not be possible without their dedication. The celebrations began in the early afternoon and the one hundred and twenty volunteer guests were able to enjoy the lovely scenery of Lulworth Castle and the surrounding grounds kindly given to us for use by James Weld our President and owner of Lulworth Castle and Estate.  Guests were greated with a free glass of Pimms and a buffet later in the afternoon, with time to read through the charities history before moving into the Queens Award ceremony. 

The ceremony consisted of speeches from our President James Weld and Patron Lord Julian Fellows welcoming everybody and congratulating the hard work of the volunteers and the charity, followed by the presentation of the Queens Award by Lord Lieutenant of Dorset, Angus Campbell. Individual Volunteer Awards were then presented to some of our long standing volunteers for their excellent service to the community. The afternoon was a wonderful celebration of the hard work of the charity and our wonderful volunteers.

We would like to thank everyone that made the event such a success and a wonderful celebration for our centenary and to appreciate the fantastic work of our volunteers.

For access to all the photographs from the event please click here