Vision Australia is celebrating the 40th anniversary of our Telelink service, which connects people who are blind or have low vision from across Australia.
Every week for the past four decades, people who are blind or have low vision have dialed in to their Telelink groups to connect with each other and discuss common interests and passions.
For the past three years, Tracy Liping Wang has been a keen participant and a member of a number of Telelink groups such as Mandarin Social, Dog Guide Support, Bible Discussion and Cantonese Social
Tracy was referred to Vision Australia in 2017 after progressive vision loss left her feeling isolated and uncertain about what she could do or who to talk to.
From that referral Tracy was provided the opportunity to join a Telelink group and the opportunity to share her experiences and common interests has changed life.
“From my experience it’s actually been the turning point of my life. When I first got to know my vision loss was really serious, I was so depressed and felt so hopeless and thought ‘that’s it’,” Tracy said.
“But soon I talked to people who have worse conditions than myself yet they live such wonderful lives, and I was so amazed. I think that really impacted my life and changed my life as well when I realised what was still truly possible,” she said.
Tracy enjoys that each group has a central theme of discussion and she’s learned plenty of new things, but she said the support offered by fellow participants with lived experience of blindness or low vision is the most important part of what Telelink offers.
“I think the most enjoyable things are just meeting fellow people like myself. We have a common experience, we’re all dealing with blindness or low vision, and so we have a common ground.
“I just really enjoy that every time I talk to the people I learn something new, and I’ve really been encouraged and supported, and I’ve really found it quite uplifting.
I really love the program, I’ve enjoyed every time I learn new things, getting new information, getting support. It’s been fantastic.”
If you or someone you know would like to get involved with Telelink, or if you would just like to know more, please phone Vision Australia on 1300 847 466 or email the Telelink team at [email protected].