Live Well With Vision Loss

21/07/2025

In the hustle and bustle of life, it’s easy to forget about the beauty that lies within us and the magic that surrounds us every day.

So let’s take a moment together …
pause,
and enjoy this breathtaking sunset.

Let it remind us that no matter how tough life gets, we have the strength and resilience to overcome any obstacle.

Believe in yourself,
Your strength,
Your Kind heart
Your Love of Life xx🌅 [ID: Joanne Marie is sitting on a concrete wall at the edge of the ocean. She is looking towards the setting sun. There are trees in front of her, and a rail leading down to wear she sits. Joanne is holding her Glam Cane, and is wearing a green knitted top, white loose pants and heels.]

18/07/2025

I’ve been doing a lot of traveling to some pretty chilly southern states this winter, and let me tell you—every time I return to the Fraser Coast, it feels like stepping back into summer!

The days are so warm and inviting that I can ditch the heavy winter clothes and soak up the sun.

It’s like a little escape, and a reminder of how incredible it is to explore different places, but also how wonderful it feels to come back home to this sunny paradise.

Anyone else love coming home to beautiful weather after a trip away? [Image Description:
I’m standing outside on a sunny day ☀️, wearing a wide-brimmed hat, dark sunnies, a crop top with a beachy design, and a long white skirt that moves with the breeze. I’m holding my white cane and soaking in the warmth. Behind me is a bright blue sky, a strip of grass, and a quiet road — just one of those calm, golden moments.]

16/07/2025

Ever felt that knot in your stomach when eating out with vision loss?

I’ve been there.

Worried about spilling food, knocking over drinks, or stumbling through unfamiliar spaces—it was enough to make me hide away from the social scene.

But guess what?

We’re not alone in this struggle!

With the help of others who’ve walked in our shoes, I’ve discovered tips and tricks to make dining out less daunting.

Sure, spills and mishaps happen, but embracing our unique challenges and sharing our stories empowers us to enjoy life’s simple pleasures,
like a night out with family or friends.

A community of support awaits you … reach out, reconnect and start enjoying the simple pleasures, like dining out, again.




Broken. [ID: Joanne Marie is at a dinner party and is seated at the table with a waitress standing beside her. Joanne’s navigating where items are on the table - there are forks, glasses, and a menu. She is holding her phone in one hand, and her bag is on her lap ready to put the phone away. She has a look of concentration as she focuses on the cluttered table as she works out where everything is placed.]

15/07/2025

You know how they say life’s about the journey, not the destination?

Well, for those of us living with low vision, that journey might look a little different, but it’s no less incredible.

Some days are tough and we may wish to lie low, but with a little help from technology and a whole lot of determination, we refuse to let our vision define us.

So here’s to embracing life’s vibrant experiences and connecting with the world, one moment at a time.❤️













[ID: Joanne Marie is sitting at a dining table in a busy restaurant. She is looking at her mobile phone, which has a pale yellow cover, and smiling. Behind Joanne are groups of people laughing and enjoying their lunch. Joanne is wearing a tasteful leopard printed dress, with fitted bodice and spagetti strings. She has maekup on and her hair is in a bob.]

11/07/2025

In a world filled with challenges and responsibilities, it’s essential to pause and remember the power of play.

As adults, we often forget that embracing our inner child and finding joy in the little things can have a significant impact on our mental health and resilience.

Here’s to kicking up our heels, smiling through the tough times, and letting our spirits soar … even if just for a moment each day.
[ID: Joanne Marie is sitting on a wooden bench inside a forest play area at the front of the Gold Coast city art Centre. She is smiling, has both arms held out, and her left leg kicking up in the ajar as she leans back into the bench. There’s pots of colourful flowers, a large hanging leafy tree behind her, with colourful lights hung across it, plus large stepping stones on top of the fake grass. Joanne is wearing her Rayban Meta sunglasses, a straw hat, a buttery yellow maxi skirt with pink flowers, a white crop top with a yellow flower, and white sneakers. She is holding candy, no jab Ambutech cane.]

10/07/2025

What an intersection!

When you’re living with severe vision loss an intersection like this can be overwhelming … 2 way traffic, trams, buses, cars, people! Overload!

Once I would have avoided a crossing like this, but on today’s travel day and with the guidance of the Vision Australia team, I felt I now had the skills and confidence to take on this busy intersection.

Training and support can significantly increase your confidence and elevate your concerns around travelling independently.

Your O&M (Orientation and Mobility expert) will point out the key points to consider and be aware of when travelling your favourite routes … the sounds, smells, braille trails, safe crossings, rest points, and any challenges you may come across along your way.

Thinking of long cane training - once you have the skills and been matched with the best cane/s for your environment and needs, tap into your local O&M an undertake some training around your main travel routes.

You will soon feel ready to navigate independently to your favourite places.
[ID: The intersection in the image has buildings across the road, tram tracks, road crossings, road marks and traffic islands. The road bends around and goes straight ahead. Joanne Marie holds out her long cane handle, which is red leather, as she prepares to cross the busy intersection.]

09/07/2025

It’s NAIDOC week and I love that Vision Australia has recognised this when naming the latest litter of pups 🥰 VisionAustralia

Seeing Eye Dogs announce special pup names for NAIDOC Week 2025!

As part of our ongoing initiative, Seeing Eye Dogs are delighted to announce two special pup names - Daabak and Woora have been selected. These names were submitted by Carleen and named in the Taungurung language, the language of her ancestors.

This year’s NAIDOC Week marks 50 years of honouring and elevating Indigenous voices, culture, and resilience”. The 2025 theme, “The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy”, honours past achievements and looks to a bright future led by young Indigenous leaders who hold the vision of the communities, and the legacy of the ancestors.”

The names were chosen as they demonstrate a strong connection to country and recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and heritage.

• Daabak (pronounced Daa-bak) - meaning “strong”.

“This name relates directly to the 2025 NAIDOC theme: The next generation: strength, vision, legacy.”

•Woora (pronounced Woo-ra) - meaning “sky”.

“Aboriginal people have studied and used the night sky for thousands of years to navigate country, seas and waterways, predict weather patterns and understand seasonal behaviours of plants and animals.”

The yellow Seeing Eye Dogs pups Daabak and Woora are currently in our puppy centre and will shortly be placed with volunteer carers to begin learning the skills required to become a working Seeing Eye Dog.

08/07/2025

My long cane is no longer just a tool for navigating the world around me—it’s a symbol of my strength, confidence, and resilience.

Embracing it has allowed me to stand tall in my community, demonstrating that my disability does not define me or limit my potential.

I feel beautiful and empowered with my long cane by my side …
ready to face any challenge life throws my way.

It’s a powerful reminder that I am capable, worthy, and unafraid to be seen for who I truly am.
[ID: Joanne Marie is standing in a park in front of a beachside car. She is holding out Candy, her long white No Jab Ambutech cane. Joanne has a big smile on her face as she folds out her long cane. She is wearing her Ray-Ban Meta sunglasses, and a summer sleeveless white dress with light green palm trees printed on it.]

07/07/2025

I was asked today why I got involved in advocacy work for people experiencing vision loss.

The answer is simple:
no-one should ever have to face this journey alone. 🙏

Growing up, I never came across someone else experiencing vision loss, visiting opthamologists, needing time out from school because of eye pain, strain or worse.

Today social media and the internet has conneted us all - from Zoom to Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and so on … there’s a menas to connect in through your preferred platform/s.

My mission is to create awareness around the platforms and key contacts people can connect with for vision loss support, technologies, and training.

The vision loss community is not an exclusive club— where the popular shine and the followers watch from the peripheral.

It’s a genuine community of support where everyone is valued and heard, and no-one is left behind.

You are not alone.

Your story matters. ❤️
[ID: Joanne Marie is sitting against a concreete wall seperating the ocean from the road behind. She is looking at the camera, holding her long sparkling green Glam Cane. It’s a sunny blue day, and Joanne is e=wearing a green knitted singlet top, white plants and her brown Ray-Ban Meta sunglasses.]

07/07/2025

Register today for Vision Australia’s Winter Webinar Series ar Series!

Our Telelink Winter Webinars continue on Monday, July 14 at 9am AEST with a session featuring Caroline Casey.

Born legally blind with ocular albinism, Caroline Casey is a social entrepreneur, adventurer, businesswoman, campaigner and activist.

In this webinar, Caroline will share with us her amazing life story, including how she founded The Valuable 500, a global business collective made up of 500 CEOs and their companies with the goal of “innovating together for disability inclusion”.

It's sure to be a very informative and fun session that you won't want to miss.

Registrations can be made at the link below:
https://www.visionaustralia.org/community/news/2025-06-16/vision-australias-winter-webinar-series-here

[ID: Caroline Casey]

06/07/2025

Finding joy after vision loss can be a challenging journey, but it’s essential to remember that hope and happiness are still within reach.

By building a strong support network, discovering new hobbies, setting achievable goals, practicing self-care, and embracing positivity, you can rediscover the beauty of life and create a fulfilling future.

Don’t let vision loss define your potential—instead, let it be a testament to your resilience and strength.

[ID: Joanne Marie is in a park with trees and shrubbery. It’s a sunny day and she looks joyful, swinging her sunburnt orange sleeveless maxi dress around as she smiles.]