Victorian testimonials:

•	Alan Downie, 51, Burwood East
•	Alan Mitchell, 57, Bendigo
•	Bob Jamieson, 57, Bendigo
•	Hedley Moon, 62, Pyramid Hill
•	Kath Ponsonby, Macular Degeneration, Glaucoma and Cataracts

Alan Downie, 51, Burwood East

Around 10 years ago, Alan Downie's life changed dramatically.

In 1994 he suffered renal failure due to long-term diabetes. Haemorrhaging in the eyes can also be a consequence of long-term diabetes and as a result, Alan is now completely blind in one eye and has only seven percent sight in the other.

Prior to his vision loss, Alan had spent 25 years of active service in the police force.

"The experience was life changing for me," he says.

Despite his lack of sight, Alan went on to complete his masters in theology and is now a practising minister in Burwood.

He is very active and still pursues his love of bowls amongst friends. "Bowling is something I love doing and one of the things I do which keeps me active," he says.

Wanting to regain his independence, Alan sought help from Guide Dogs Victoria and in 2004 was trained with Guide Dog, Declan. All of Guide Dogs Victoria's services are provided free of charge.

Declan has been good for my independence and is a great companion," he says.

"Finding new ways of doing things is important. Losing my sight hasn't been the end of the world but it has required me to think differently about how I go about things," he says."

"My experience has really highlighted how important it is that people look after what they have and get tested regularly. Eye sight is a real gift and you don't know how precious it is until you lose it," he says.

For more information:
For further information, or to arrange an
interview, please contact
Monique Van Wierst on (03) 9656 2027
or mvanwierst@vision2020australia.org.au

Vision 2020 Australia would like to thank the
Victorian Department of Human Services for
funding The Vision Initiative