Helen Keller Communication Day inspires deafblind Kiwis

Media release

24 June 2013

Helen Keller Communication Day inspires deafblind New Zealanders

For deafblind New Zealander Phil Thorn, completing this year’s Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge will be a dream come true.

The 44-year-old father of two became deafblind in 2008 after contracting bacterial meningitis and spending nearly a month in a coma.

He has since learnt to use digital braille technology, writes his own blog, and is currently preparing for the Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge on a purpose-built tandem bike.

“I have endeavoured to keep a dream alive for the past four and a bit years since falling ill and being left with disabilities. The challenge has been as much mental as physical to get to this point. Ultimately, I want to use the Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge as a means to inspire others to not be limited in any way by their circumstances.”

Phil says that the training hasn’t been easy; but it’s something he’s thoroughly enjoyed.

“It’s taken a bit to get used to the asymmetrical way of cranking, but I love getting out around Hutt City with my riding buddy. We’re being noticed by a number of locals along the route as we train three afternoons a week. Some locals wave out and smile, so my buddy tells me. We have a number of signs worked out that are communicated through my feet, the most important sign being the dairy for an ice cream.”

Phil will take time out of his training schedule to celebrate Helen Keller Communication Day on Wednesday 27 June.

“Helen Keller totally inspires me. She struggled a great deal with the ability to communicate verbally, she also lived at a time the technology we now have wasn’t even a remote possibility. She soared above her physical challenges, achieved so much and left a legacy for us who follow on to overcome.”

Helen Keller Communication Day is observed on June 27 around the world in honour of the renowned deafblind American author, political activist and advocate for deafblind and disabled people.

“For me, if Helen Keller could rise and achieve what she did in her era, with all the resources and technology now readily available, it is both a challenge and responsibility to use every means possible to grow and learn along with touching and inspiring the world around me,” says Phil.

There are more than 1,500 New Zealanders whose deafblindness has a significant impact on their lives. Being completely blind and deaf, as experienced by Helen Keller, is actually very rare; most deafblind people have sight and hearing that are impaired to the point that getting around and communicating with other people is affected. They are able to learn ways of using their remaining vision and hearing, as well as their other senses, for both everyday life and special challenges.

The Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind provides support to deafblind people, including adaptive daily life skills, communication strategies, and the use of specialised equipment to maintain their independence.

The Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind and Deafblind (NZ) Inc are jointly commemorating Helen Keller Communication Day with events for their deafblind members in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, Christchurch and Invercargill.

To follow Phil and Neil’s progress, check out their Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/PricklyBehind

ENDS

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