Meet Peter, on his way back to independence for his new family
Rural NSW couple, Peter and Natasha, were surprised but ecstatic when their first baby, Malachi, was welcomed into the world a month ahead of schedule. But navigating the early days as new parents of a premature baby wasn’t the only news that was about to change their lives.
Almost 10 years earlier, Peter had received urgent medical treatment at the Sydney Eye Hospital after losing vision in his left eye overnight. A high dose of immune suppressors and regular visits to the optometrist helped Peter regain enough vision for life to return to normal, but he was left with serious optic nerve damage that would slowly deteriorate his vision.
In January 2025, when Malachi was two months old, glasses were no longer enough to support Peter as his vision began tunnelling. After months of struggling with work and a frightening car accident, an ophthalmologist diagnosed Peter as legally blind with retinal neuritis and retinal dystrophy.
This new diagnosis has no cure or treatment options, so Peter and Natasha felt at a loss on how to support their new family. A call to Vision Australia changed that, fast-tracking support and helping Peter to enjoy an independent life with his young family.
This April, Natasha and Peter will be getting outdoors for walks and bike rides around their NSW town to support families like theirs to maintain active, independent lives and get the emotional support they need when navigating a life after vision loss.
“Vision Australia have been an incredible support with this life change and has helped us make the first steps towards regaining independence financially, socially and emotionally – something we couldn’t have done our own. Fundraising events like 100K Your Way mean that Vision Australia can continue to support the many Australians navigating vision loss or low vision, and we are honoured to be part of that.”
About Vision Australia
Vision Australia is a leading national provider of blindness and low vision services in Australia. We work in partnership with Australians who are blind or have low vision to help them achieve the possibilities they choose in life.
We support more than 25,500 people of all ages and life stages, and circumstances. We do this through 35 Vision Australia centres in Victoria, New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia; and through outreach programs in the Northern Territory and Tasmania.
We are a not-for-profit organisation and a major participant and partner in the international blindness community.
You can read more about Vision Australia on the website here.
