Kandace teaches her dad a thing or two
Kandace teaches her dad a thing or two Braille turns page for fi ve-year-old’s future
TWO years ago, Kandace O’Neil was diagnosed with a genetic disorder that will leave her blind. But that’s not going to stop the fi ve-year-old
Windale girl getting the best possible chance in life.
Kandace has retinitis pigmentosa which causes deteriorating vision loss. For her father Will, who is blind, it was a diagnosis which had a huge impact on him. “I have adapted to being blind,” he said. “But, you just want the best for your children. You don’t want them to have a diffi cult road in life.” Mr O’Neil made the decision almost immediately that he wanted Kandace to learn Braille and that’s exactly what she’s doing. In fact, she’s teaching her dad a thing or two along the way.
“I wanted Kandace to learn Braille because I missed out when I was young,” he said. “Braille literacy will give her the best opportunity to pursue a career after school.”
Kandace is enrolled in the Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children (RIDBC) Teleschool, where she is trained by teachers of the blind from her home via videoconference. RIDBC Teleschool ensures children living in rural or remote Australia can be taught by trained teachers of the deaf and of the blind from their homes.
RIDBC Teleschool teacher Tricia d’Apice is focusing on Kandace’s Braille reading and writing skills.
“Since starting the program in January 2010, Kandace has progressed to reading and writing the Braille alphabet, as well as reading predictable stories,” she said. “It’s important for children to learn Braille when they are young because their tactile sensitivity is at its best.”
Mr O’Neil is very thankful for the work that RIDBC is doing to support Kandace. “RIDBC has provided so many services to support Kandace’s literacy and mobility, including a residential Braille week, which allowed us both to meet other children and families living with vision impairment,” he said.
He is now extremely positive about what the future holds for Kandace.
“The smartest thing I ever did was to tap into the RIDBC network. I’m 40 years old and I cannot read Braille, and I get to sit with Kandace while she reads Braille at fi ve. It makes me so happy,” he said. “Life isn’t always easy, but with Braille literacy I know Kandace will have an equal opportunity to succeed alongside her peers. RIDBC has helped give my daughter that opportunity.”
Skirting the GFC v2.0 Skirting the GFC v2.0 Continued from page 1
Chamber CEO Kristen Keegan said governments needed to do all they could to help foster the right investment climate and boost productivity. “These announcements have shown that we are not immune to global economic conditions, but we have to keep in mind that the Hunter has what it takes to overcome these challenges,” she said. Ms Keegan said young people should also be aware of job prospects that existed in addition to the region’s strong educational opportunities and
SNAPSHOTS
Corbett’s star shines NEWCASTLE singer and songwriter Bob Corbett is on cloud nine after taking out the prestigious 2012 Toyota Star Maker competition in Tamworth last weekend. “This competition has kicked off the careers of some of the biggest names in country music,” he said. “It’s a truly amazing feeling to be the next Toyota Star Maker – 2012 is really going to be my year. “To have my name listed amoungt some of my heroes is a real privilege. This is a major turning point in my career and I can’t wait for what’s to come.”
Benefi t night for referee THE Newcastle Football Referees Association (NFRA) is urging people to get along to Wests Mayfi eld on Saturday, January 28 from 6.30pm for a great night’s entertainment to support NFRA president Gary Perkins who was assaulted by a outside his home in December last year, leaving him with a brain injury and a lengthy rehabilitation period. For tickets and more information, contact Helina Carraro at snrvicepresident@newcastlefootballreferees
.com.au.
If you've got a compensation claim, you may be entitled to a lot of money... but aren't aware of your rights!
Advertisement
The number of people who throw away thousands of dollars by not knowing their rights is really frightening ...
People just like you who didn't realise their compensation claim was worth thousands of dollars have been delighted to discover the truth! Experienced Compensation Lawyer, Kimberley Sharpe, and her team at Turnbull Hill Lawyers have some very important tips for you if you've got a compensation claim (motor vehicle claim, work claim, insurance claim or other litigation case) ...
"Because we’ve found that many people often accept from insurance companies much less than they’re really entitled to - mainly because they’re not aware of their full rights - it’s in your best interests to always get the right legal advice... and get it early... even on the simplest claim."
"Never accept what the other party or their insurance company offers you without first getting our advice... our experience is that the insurance company or other party will offer you much less than you’re really entitled to!" Sharpe and the rest of her team have hundreds of success stories to tell from their years of experience in looking after people just like you who’ve suffered loss as a result of the negligence
or wrongdoing of someone
else...so you know you'll be in the right hands ...
She’ll always talk to you in Plain English so you’ll never be in the dark about what your rights are, and what your chances of
refl ected in the record number of places offered by the University of Newcastle.
“The region has skills shortages in many areas [and] while not all students will be offered the courses they originally nominate, we encourage them to look at what is available not just at the university but also at our first class TAFE campuses as well as options through private training companies.
“The region offers better than most in terms of employment opportunities, with a now well- established, below average unemployment rate.”
ONCE UPON A TIME: Kandace and her dad Will O’Neil. Super Summer Savings *limited time only
*Conditions apply.
BUY FACTORY DIRECT AND SAVE 24 MONTHS INTEREST FREE*
Kimberley Sharpe Lawyer
success are... Kimberley will explain to you up front how things work... and keep you informed every step of the way so you’ll be able to relax knowing exactly where you stand and how your claim is going...
Your initial consultation with Kimberley
isfree... so you've got absolutely nothing to lose! So, to find out exactly where you stand, call Kimberley now on 4904 8000 (or after hours on 0419 873 515). She'll have a free initial no- obligation, confidential chat with you about your rights and what compensation you might be
entitled to. NO WIN - NO FEE (simple conditions apply...which Kimberley will explain to you when you phone, and again when you meet with her).
www.turnbullhill.com.au view the digital edition online at
www.newcastlepost.com.au
MAKE YOUR WINDOWS COME TO LIFE
Proudly serving the Hunter, Newcastle, Port Stephens & The Central Coast. For more information or an obligation FREE quote call...
WARNERS BAY: Phone 4954 7190 305 Hillsborough Road BERESFIELD: Phone 4964 2230 4/19 Balook Drive SALAMANDER BAY: Phone 4984 7700 Town Circuit CENTRAL COAST: Phone 4393 2242
Lakeview
www.lakeviewblinds.com.au
» Aluminium Venetians Roller Blinds » Timber Venetians » Aluminium Security Shutters » Aluminium Screening »Timber Plantation Shutters THE NEWCASTLE POST Wednesday, January 25, 2012 3
THE HUNTER BUY
KEEP YOUR MONEY IN
LOCALLY
» Aluminium Fixed Louvre Shutters » Aluminium Screening » Auto Lock Awning » Folding Arm » Automatic » Colourbond » Canpoy Awnings » Verandah Awning » Vertical Blinds
» Aluminium Ajustable Shutters » Pleated Blinds » Roman Blinds » Cash ‘n’ Carry Blinds » Personal Shoppers Only » Colourbond » Verandah Awning » Vertical Blinds * Conditions apply
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48