Relief as ACC backs down on glasses claim
A motorsport crash left Glenn Hodges severely concussed and suffering vision problems.
But it was a protracted eightmonth battle with ACC over a pair of glasses which tested his mental strength and threatened to take him to a dark place.
On December 3, Hodges was racing at the Hampton Downs Motorsport Park when he was involved in a high-speed crash.
Following the smash, the 41-year-old developed vision diffi- culties and sought ACC support to buy a pair of $1000 glasses.
But ACC denied his compensation claim, arguing that Hodges’ age was the cause of his deteriorating vision.
The father of one said an optometrist told him the crash was to blame for his vision issues.
After going public with his struggles, ACC contacted Hodges on July 20 to say it had reviewed his case and would reimburse him for the cost of the glasses.
‘‘My wife had been dealing with ACC because I started to find the whole thing so frustrating that it literally started to make my head spin,’’ he said.
Hodges works as a selfemployed light engineer and automotive fabricator.
He returned to work in June despite ACC saying he was ready to resume work in March.
Hodges said he needs the glasses to see finer detail and to read.
Throughout his dealings with ACC, Hodges said staff implied that he was using the crash as an excuse to get free glasses.
‘‘To me, their stance was ridiculous and really insulting. I think ACC staff need to be a lot more careful with how they deal with someone who has a head injury because, for me personally, just dealing with everything that was going on was hard enough without having to deal with ACC,’’ Hodges said.
‘‘This experience put me in a really dark place and it could have become very dangerous.’’
ACC has indicated it will reimburse Hodges for the glasses promptly.
Hodges hopes sharing his experience will force changes at ACC.
The Law Foundation and Otago University estimate between 200,000 and 300,000 people miss out on cover, treatment and support from ACC each year.
National and Labour say they will implement recommendations contained in an independent report on ACC by Miriam Dean QC in September. Hauraki District Council is processing an application to create 45 residential lots on part of the former Paeroa Racecourse. Council economic development manager David Fielden is confident the proposal will bring economic benefits to Hauraki, saying Paeroa is growing and there is a need for more housing. ‘‘If it goes ahead, this proposed subdivision will provide work opportunities for local contractors, and lead to many new residents living and doing business in Paeroa.’’ The application is being processed on a non-notified basis. A decision is expected soon.