Stirling resident Linda, who was born with Optic Atrophy – a congenital eye disease that causes blindness and developed a hearing impairment when she was just 10 years old, like to be able to give back to her community through her volunteer work.

Linda says despite her vision and hearing loss she enjoys helping others and being active in her local community.

“Having a hearing loss limits communication and I find it terribly frustrating.  Being blind also has its challenges,” says Linda.

“I was to try to educate our community about hearing and vision loss.  I am involved in a number of projects where I help people with various disability issues.  I am also on the City of Stirling’s Disability Services Advisory Panel.  I like to volunteer, it gives me a sense of accomplishment, I learn new skills and I love meeting people,” says Linda.

Linda is able to continue to live a positive life and support her local community through her volunteer work with the help of Senses Australia’s Deafblind Services.

“The staff at Senses Australia are marvellous, their attitude towards people with disability is truly amazing – they are all so accepting and understanding.  With their support, I am able to attend outings and volunteer,” says Linda.

Matthew Wittorff Senses Australia’s Manager, Deafblind Services says Linda is a remarkable person who, despite her hearing and vision loss, likes to volunteer and keep herself busy.

“Linda’s determination to educate our community on hearing and vision loss is a testament to the wonderful person she is.  Linda also plays a vital role in helping others, like herself, and being a voice for them on her local council’s Disability Services Advisory Panel,” says Matthew.

Senses Australia is celebrating Deafblind Awareness Week 2014 from Monday, 23 June to Sunday, 29 June 2014.  The 2014 theme for this international week is ‘we don’t need to see or hear in order to touch the world around us’.

To find out more about how Senses Australia supports the Western Australian community and provides support services to people of all ages with disability or to people who are deafblind, visit www.senses.org.au.