https://visionaustralia.org/community/news/2025-06-16/vision-australias-winter-webinar-series-here, https://livewellwith

Live Well With Vision Loss, Pialba (2026)

08/06/2026

A friend had one of these moments recently,
and it instantly took me back to my own.

You know that moment when you suddenly think …

“Oh. There I am.”

Not because everything is perfect.
Not because all the challenges have disappeared.

But because you’ve just spent the last little while laughing, being silly, enjoying yourself, or feeling completely relaxed
… and for a moment, you forgot to worry.

You weren’t thinking about what you’d lost.
You weren’t thinking about what might happen next.

You were just being you.💞

And then it hits you! …
This is what I’ve missed.

Not the old version of me.
Not life before everything changed.

… Just me.

I think these moments matter because they remind us that we’re still here beneath all the adapting, worrying, rebuilding and figuring things out.

And they’re rarely just one moment.
They’re often the beginning of something.

A shift.
A little more confidence.
A little more freedom.
Ana a little more trust in yourself and your future.

Then another moment comes,
And another.

Until one day you realise you’re not just surviving your life anymore.

You’re living it.💗

If you’re still waiting for that first moment, keep going.
It will come.

And when it does, celebrate it.
Because recognising yourself again is a pretty special thing. 💛

[ID: An image divided into two columns. On the right is Jo - she has short strawberry-blonde hair, she laughs as she stands confidently in a warm hotel lobby holding her sparkling rose gold Glam Cane. She wears a camouflage-print fitted long dress and looks completely relaxed, happy, and at ease. On the left the text reads: “Where have you been? The moment you recognise yourself again.” The image captures the powerful feeling of reconnecting with yourself after a significant life challenge.]

07/06/2026

It was wonderful catching up with Sam Colley from Vision Australia recently for our latest podcast episode.

We chatted about:

✨ The launch of my new website

✨ Life hacks, resources, support organisations & products that have helped me live independently with vision loss

✨ Regaining confidence with things like hair, makeup & everyday living after becoming legally blind

✨ Indoor Para Skydiving, the upcoming World Series & Australian Open in Sydney, & why I love encouraging other people who are Blind or have Low Vision to try new experiences

✨ The incredible friendships & connections I’ve made through the skydiving community

✨ I shared the vision Marie & I have for making accessible and inclusive travel information more readily available for people who are visually impaired. While we weren’t successful in receiving a Blind Travel Foundation grant, we’re continuing to explore sponsorship opportunities & other ways to bring this exciting project to life

While I’ve been taking a break from flying as I undergo eye treatment, I’m counting down the weeks until I’m back in the tunnel again. 💗

👀 And finally … we touched on something very exciting coming in September

An opportunity for members of the Blind and Low Vision community from across Australia to come together for an immersive weekend of connection, new skills, fun, adventure & trying things they may never have imagined possible.

More details coming soon!

Special thanks to Sam for the chat;
and to Marie
Tom
Clare and Mabel
Kushal .solanki.359
iFLY .brisbane
Jacqui & many more
for being part of the incredible community that makes these experiences so meaningful.

🎧 Full podcast and transcript link in my bio.

[VD: A single graphic promoting Jo’s guest appearance on a Vision Australia Radio interview. Text reads: “Vision Australia Radio Interview” and “Guest Star: Joanne Cabot”. The graphic includes a photo of Joanne walking confidently outdoors with a long cane while wearing

07/06/2026

I’ve had a lifetime of eye appointments.

Eye tests. Scans. Specialist reviews. Follow-up appointments.

Most of the time, I know what to expect.

Yet every now and then, especially when I’ve noticed a change in my vision, I still feel anxious before walking through the door.

It’s often not the appointment itself that makes me nervous.

It’s the possibility that the optometrist or ophthalmologist might confirm what I’ve already been suspecting.

Over the years, I’ve learned that anxiety and courage can exist together.

I’ve also learned a few practical strategies that help me feel more prepared, supported and comfortable before, during and after appointments.

Whether you write your questions on paper,
make a list on your phone, or record a voice memo,
find a way that works for you.

Having your questions ready means you
don’t have to rely on memory when you’re
feeling anxious or processing information
during the appointment.

If you’re feeling anxious before an upcoming eye appointment, please know you’re not the only one.

💜 I’d love to know what others do to prepare for eye appointments.
Share your tips, routines or words of wisdom in the comments below.

[ID: A six-slide carousel from Live Well With Vision Loss featuring a purple background with white, blue and purple text and icons. The first slide shows Jo sitting in an optometry clinic reflecting on feeling anxious before eye appointments despite attending them throughout her life. The following slides share practical strategies including writing down questions, using breathing techniques, choosing supportive companions, making waiting areas easier to navigate, allowing recovery time after dilating drops, and bringing a hat and sunglasses to appointments. The carousel concludes with the message that anxiety and courage can exist together and reminds people that they are not alone if they feel anxious before eye appointments.]

05/06/2026

This week has been a reminder that life with vision loss is never boring!

In the space of a few days, I’ve had:
✅ All the nerves and excitement of launching the Live Well With Vision Loss website
✅ An eye injection (hooray… because the last one is actually working! 🎉)
✅ A minor hospital day procedure
✅ A skin biopsy
✅ A lesson in Meta Glasses for my doctor (I think I may have created another fan 😂)
✅ Countless hours working behind the scenes on a VERY exciting event coming this September for the blindness and low vision community … 🤫 Top secret for now, but trust me, it’s going to be something special!

Along the way I’ve met some truly lovely people.
One thing I never stop being amazed by is how many kind, generous, and interesting humans you meet
when life takes unexpected turns.

And after all of that?

💇‍♀️ A fresh new hairstyle.
☀️ A few days on the beautiful Gold Coast.
❤️ Time with Mum and Dad.

Perfect.

Sometimes we get so busy focusing on appointments, treatments, work, responsibilities, and the next thing
on our to-do list that we forget to stop and appreciate the little wins.

This week reminded me that progress comes in many forms.

A successful treatment.
A website launch.
A new connection.
A fresh haircut.
A laugh with your doctor.
Time with the people you love.

Not every win has to be life-changing to be worth celebrating.

Now I’m taking a moment to breathe, recharge, enjoy the sunshine, and get ready for another exciting week ahead.

[ID: Jo is smiling after her freshly styled strawberry-blonde bob haircut. She is wearing white blazer with navy trim over a navy top in a modern salon setting. Beside her is a high-contrast graphic that reads: “Proof that you can survive a website launch, an eye injection, hospital visits, a skin biopsy, and still make it to the hairdresser! What a week it’s been.]

04/06/2026

Today, while waiting for my procedure, I had 3 seperate conversations around eyesight.

One nurse shared that her mother lives with Retinitis Pigmentosa.

Another was celebrating improvements post cataract surgery.

And another couldn’t believe how bright and vibrant colours looked after corrective surgery.

Three conversations.
Three completely different experiences.

And it reminded me just how common eye conditions & vision changes really are.

Some conditions are temporary.
Some are treatable.
Some are permanent.

The challenge is that we often don’t know which category a change falls into until we seek professional advice.

Recently, my mum noticed some changes with her vision. Rather than waiting & hoping things would improve, she booked an appointment & sought expert advice.And that’s the thing about eye health.

The best outcome isn’t always finding a problem.
Sometimes the best outcome is the reassurance that everything is okay.

And if there is a problem, early detection often means more options, better management, & a clear action plan moving forward.

If you’ve noticed changes in your vision, don’t let work, family commitments, or life’s busy schedule stop you from getting it checked.

Your eyesight is too important to leave to chance.

To help people take a proactive approach to eye health, we’ve created several free resources on our website [link in BIO) including:

👁️ An Eye Health Checklist
👁️ An Amsler Grid to help monitor changes in central vision
👁️ Information, tips, and practical resources about eye health and vision loss

Whether you’re seeking reassurance or answers, taking action is always the right first step.

[ID: Jo is sitting in a hospital room prior to a minor procedure. She is wearing a light yellow-and-white striped shirt and smiling calmly. Beside her is a navy-blue panel with the text: “Eye conditions are more common than many people realise. Here’s what happened when I went into hospital today for a minor procedure that had nothing to do with my eyesight…”]

02/06/2026

You might already have one of the most powerful accessibility tools in your pocket.

In fact, one of my most-used accessibility tools isn’t an app at all.

It’s my smartphone camera.

Three technologies that make living with vision loss much easier for me:

📧 1. Email Read Aloud & Dictation

Listening to emails and dictating responses saves time, reduces eye strain, and helps me stay on top of communication.
Some options to explore:
• VoiceOver (Apple)
• TalkBack (Android)
• Outlook Read Aloud

🗣️ 2. Voice Assistants

I use voice assistants every day to make calls, send messages, set reminders, create shopping lists, check the weather, and manage appointments.
Some options to explore:
• Siri
• Google Assistant
• Alexa

📷 3. My Smartphone Camera

This is probably the tool I use the most.
While most people use their camera to take photos, I often use mine to:
• Zoom in on restaurant menus
• Read product labels while shopping
• Check appliance settings and controls
• Read printed documents
• View signs and information boards from a distance
• Identify colours and details
• Take a photo and zoom in later for a closer look or reminder.

I love that it doesn’t require special equipment, learning new systems, or exhausting my remaining vision.
It’s quick, simple, and always with me.

There are also some fantastic apps available, including:
• Seeing AI
• Lookout
• Be My Eyes

Sometimes the most helpful accessibility tools are the ones we already have.

For more practical tips, tools, and resources for living well with vision loss, visit:
🔗 https://livewellwithvisionloss.com

01/06/2026

The most emotional day of my vision loss journey wasn’t the day I received my diagnosis.

It wasn’t when I lost most of the central vision in my left eye in my twenties.

It wasn’t when my vision deteriorated to the point of being legally blind.

The most emotional day was the first day of long cane training.

I sat in a room with people attending their first cane training session. One by one, they introduced themselves, shared their eye conditions, spoke about their concerns, and explained why they were there.

As I listened, I heard pieces of my own story in every single person.

Their fears.
Their frustrations.
Their determination.
Their hope.

By the time it was my turn to speak, I couldn’t.
… I sat there and cried.

Because for the first time in my life, I knew I wasn’t alone.

Like so many people living with vision loss, I had adapted, coped, pushed through, and carried on. From the outside I was managing. Inside, there were times I felt isolated & misunderstood.

That day changed something in me.
It showed me the power of shared experience and genuine connection.

People create websites for many reasons …
I created Live Well With Vision Loss because none of us should have to navigate vision loss alone.

We don’t have to spend decades masking, denying, surviving, or quietly suffering.

We can learn from one another.
We can share practical tips that come from lived experience.
We can find encouragement in the stories of people who understand the journey.

And we can discover that it is possible to live well with vision loss.

Please know that you’re not. ❤️
🔗 https://livewellwithvisionloss.com

{ ID: Jo is wearing a lemon-coloured dress, white hat and sunglasses uses a white cane while learning to navigate an escalator during her long cane training. She is supported by an instructor standing behind her, and other particpants are in the background. The image contains the text: “I didn’t cry when I was diagnosed with vision loss. I cried years later in a room full of strangers.” It also includes the hashtags YouAreNotAlone and LiveWellWithVisionLoss.]

01/06/2026

🎉 After months of planning, writing, refining & dreaming,
my new website is finally live!

This isn’t just a website …
it’s a home for the work I’m most passionate about.

It’s where you’ll find:
• Resources
• Practical tools
• Tips for living well with vision loss
• Information about international support services
• Opportunities to connect with a community that
understands the journey

My hope is that it becomes a valuable resource
for people experiencing vision loss, their families,
friends, and anyone wanting to better understand
how to live a full, meaningful, and empowered life.

This website has been created from both lived experience
and a deep commitment to helping others navigate the
challenges and possibilities that come with vision loss.

Whether you’re newly diagnosed, adjusting to change,
supporting someone you care about, or simply looking
for practical guidance and encouragement, I hope
you’ll find something here that helps.

🔗 https://livewellwithvisionloss.com

🌟 The link is also in my bio.

And if something resonates with you,
I’d love to hear about it in the comments.

Thank you to everyone who has supported and
encouraged me along the way.

This is just the beginning. 💗

[ID: Jo is smiling, and wearing an orange sleeveless dress and brown Meta sunglasses. She is standing outdoors in front of lush green tropical foliage, holding a long white cane with both hands in front of her. She is smiling confidently at the camera. The image includes the words “NOW LIVE”, the website address livewellwithvisionloss.com, and the message “Created from lived experience. Designed for you.” The graphic celebrates the launch of a new website offering resources, practical tools, support services, and encouragement for people living with vision loss and those who support them.]

30/05/2026

When my vision changed, I didn’t just lose sight.

I lost confidence.
I lost independence.
I lost the certainty of knowing how I was
going to do things that once felt simple.

Like so many people experiencing vision loss,
I spent countless hours searching for answers.

Looking for practical information, for support,
for people who understood.

Looking for proof that life could still be full,
meaningful and exciting.

Sometimes I found what I needed
… Often I didn’t.

That’s why I created something I wish had
existed when I needed it most.

A place built from lived experience.
A place focused not on limitations, but on possibilities.
A place where people can find practical strategies,
real conversations, community connection and support.

Tomorrow, I’ll finally be sharing it with you.
And I can’t wait!

Because no one should have to navigate
vision loss alone 💜

[ID: Jo is sitting outdoors at a wooden table with her iPad in front of her. She is wearing a light blue sleeveless top and white pants with a blue palm tree pattern. The background features soft greenery and natural light, creating a calm and welcoming atmosphere. Purple text on the image reads, “I wish this existed when my vision changed.”]

30/05/2026

What if there was one place that brought together
practical support, real conversations,
community connection and a belief that
vision loss doesn’t mean the end of possibility?

For the past year, I’ve been working quietly
behind the scenes on something very close
to my heart.

Something built from lived experience.

Something designed to help people feel
more confident, connected and supported
as they navigate vision loss.

A place where accessibility, wellbeing,
practical strategies and community
come together.

And now we’re almost ready.

On Monday, I’ll be sharing what I’ve been building.

This isn’t just another project.
It’s the beginning of something much bigger.
And I can’t wait to share it with you.

Stay tuned. 💜

[ID: The image features the Live Well With Vision Loss logo at the top and the words “Something BIG is coming…” in large bold purple text. The back of Jo’s hoodie reads, “Built from lived experience. For our community. For what’s possible.” The graphic highlights lived experience, community connection, practical support and a bold vision for what’s possible. The words “Launching Monday!” appear prominently at the bottom, with “Stay tuned…” in the lower corner.]

Live Well With Vision Loss

08/06/2026

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07/06/2026

05/06/2026

04/06/2026

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