Big Braille undertaking
DUNEDIN resident Julie Woods, also known as That Blind Woman, made a special stop in Balclutha yesterday to share a special gift with residents of Holmdene resthome.
The 51yearold has been completely blind since she was 31 and spends her time doing almost anything and everything she can.
Because, she said, ‘‘Why not?’’.
From marathons to long walks and visiting the seven wonders of the world, the blind advocate and inspirational speaker has a new goal in mind.
She wants to write one million names in Braille and gift them to others.
Part of her visit to Holmdene yesterday was to meet residents, some whom were visually impaired or starting to lose their sight, and write their names in Braille on her own personal ‘‘raspberry coloured’’ typewriter.
Some of the names she had already written for others had ended up in the United Kingdom, Dubai and in Canada.
The first group of names she wrote were those of the tour guides she met on a worldwide trip.
Some of the responses to the names she had typed or written had surprised her.
Some had cried while others found the names fascinating.
It was like unlocking a code for them, Ms Woods said.
Showing people their names in Braille also opened up opportunities to ask questions.
‘‘It gives you an opportunity to talk about the questions that people didn’t know they had been thinking about.’’
Calculations indicated it would take her 20 years to complete if she managed to write 1000 names per week.
So far she had written about 600 names for people.
Holmdene events coordinator Tenielle Bray organised the visit by Ms Woods as entertainment for the residents.
Often it was hard to get guest speakers to come along and Ms Bray was grateful that Ms Woods had obliged.
It was also not often that all of the residents were available to see guest speakers but most made it yesterday, Ms Bray said.
samuel.white@odt.co.nz