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Gillian’s story: allyship and advocacy.

Advocating for people with low vision is vital, especially as they age,” says Gillian Woodhouse, a passionate inclusion and allyship leader.

Gillian supported her mother through her diagnosis and vision change journey and now champions the importance of advocacy and allyship to inspire others to offer meaningful support.

“My grandmother lived with bilateral macular degeneration and profound deafness. My mother was later diagnosed with the same condition at 79 years old,” Gillian shares. “Through her, I learned how sudden and progressive low vision can impact everyday life, but with the right support, people can maintain a good quality of life.”

Her mother, a former Occupational Therapist, was proactive in seeking an aged care plan and home modifications with help from Guide Dogs.

Gillian explains that her mother’s vision changes were often misinterpreted as typical signs of aging, leading to her needs being overlooked. Without adequate professional support, self-advocacy was difficult, and Gillian often stepped in to advocate on her mother’s behalf.

“Whether young or old, people face the same barriers when their vision-related needs are misunderstood,” she says. “Advocacy ensures they remain seen, supported, and included.”