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How going for a walk changed Angela’s life.
We all know that going for a walk benefits our health and wellbeing, but for Guide Dogs NSW/ACT Client Angela, joining a walking group opened her life to an array of new experiences and fitness activities that she never thought possible.
Four years ago, Angela became legally blind due to an auto-immune-related condition. Going from someone who was working full-time in bustling Sydney to dealing with a loss of vision and independence was a big change for Angela. Despite having very supportive family and friends, the first two years were challenging, and Angela felt “left out of the world.”
Then, a former colleague introduced her to Guide Dogs NSW/ACT services, and Angela met Orientation and Mobility Specialist Gina Whelan, who taught Angela how to get around more independently using a white cane. Gina also introduced Angela to the Narrabeen Lakes Walking Group, led by Guide Dogs NSW/ACT Client Connections Specialist Tony Wykes.
Angela has been walking with the group on the second Wednesday of every month for the past two years and loves the social interaction with other people, the beautiful scenery and the coffee catch-up afterwards at a local café. The group varies in number from five to 10 people and walks for 30 minutes to one hour.
Angela says, “It’s not just about getting to know others; it’s about learning new things as well. I get to exchange ideas, learn about the latest app, and share experiences with people who have the same challenges as me.”
Joining the Narrabeen Lakes Walking Group with Guide Dogs NSW/ACT was just the beginning for Angela and led her to try even more sporting activities as her confidence grew. Every Tuesday, she participates in Avalon Blind Lawn Bowls and sometimes gathers with other teams to play in tournaments.
On Sunday mornings, Angela joins the Sydney chapter of Achilles International for a run, starting at the Sydney Eye Hospital and continuing to the Opera House and Circular Quay. These runs involve running with sighted volunteers who guide participants to help them avoid any obstacles in their path.
Participating in activities like the monthly Narrabeen walk, lawn bowls, and weekly runs with Achilles Sydney is about much more than sport and exercise for Angela. It’s about social interaction and feeling connected, sharing skills and experiences with others, and making life-long friendships with volunteers and people from the low vision and blindness community. Angela cherishes the relationships she has formed.
But all that exercise is a great bonus! Angela admits she wasn’t always as active as she is now and jokes, “I’m glad I’m legally blind because otherwise, I’d be sitting at my desk with a big tummy.”
“It changed my life,” says Angela. “It makes me feel, not just see, that the world is a beautiful place.”
If you’ve been considering joining a Guide Dogs NSW/ACT walking group or trying a fun activity like lawn bowls, Angela shares this advice: “If you’re hesitant about trying a sport or don’t know how to get there on public transport, talk to Guide Dogs. Give yourself time to adjust, and you will learn more about yourself.”
For Angela, catching multiple buses from her home to the Narrabeen Walking Group meet-up location was a lot of effort initially. However, with Gina’s support during the first couple of trips, she soon navigated the journey with ease, boosting her confidence and helping her master a valuable new skill.
While she has experienced many memorable sporting moments in the past couple of years, running the City to Surf was a highlight. Before becoming legally blind, Angela always walked, but last year, she ran for the first time.
“Sometimes, we are only limited by our imagination!” Angela says.
When she’s not busy doing her various Guide Dogs activities, weekly runs, and studies, you’ll find Angela perfecting her golf swing at the driving range, spending time with her family, and looking for her next sporting activity to try.
To find out how you can get involved with sports and fitness activities, email the Connections Service team now on connections@guidedogs.com.au
