Services to the blind

In response to the letter (Nov 12) about the decision by Blind Low Vision NZ (BLVNZ) and the Blind and Low Vision Education Network (Blennz) not to hold their annual children’s Christmas party, I organised these parties for 33 years until 2018. I retired from BLVNZ in 2019.

Though I can understand the disappointment of the letter writer’s granddaughter and possibly many other children/families, it was wrong to link this to the service delivery of both organisations.

It is also important to note that organising the party was always an ‘‘add-on’’, never part of the job description. It became a big event over the years only because so many people helped, one parent for years starting preparing food weeks before the event, and teachers doing much of the work in their own time.

Coming out of Covid, changes to service delivery as well as staff changes may have all played a role in the decision not to hold the party this year.

I am well aware of the consistent high quality of service and care provided by Blennz teachers nationwide, including Wellington.

We have the wonderful democratic right of expressing ourselves in letters . . . and we can also volunteer to offer our help!

Gary Veenstra, Wainuiomata [abridged]