This week on In Plain Sight join your hosts Simon and Andrew as they talk with Gaela Hilditch, the volunteer coordinator for the Perth Glaucoma Support Group. In her twenties Gaela was hit in the eye during a game of squash, which years later she discovered had been a trigger behind her glaucoma diagnosis. Since this discovery she has been a strong advocate for increasing awareness of the disease and understanding how it affects people.

Gaela says the "support group brings people out of isolation. You meet people with all kinds of challenges, you have a good laugh and you form friendships, it's very therapeutic." If untreated, Glaucoma can lead to blindness but there are many forms of treatment which, if detected early enough, can stop the effects permanently. World Glaucoma Week exists as a reminder to get tested and monitor issues with sight.

Gaela reminds us that support is vital when learning to live and thrive with a disease like Glaucoma. Support groups can help alleviate anxieties and fears around sight loss and give advice for daily life. 

If you'd like to learn more you can visit the Glaucoma Australia website here. 

During Glaucoma week don't forget to use the hashtags #GlaucomaWeek and #SavingSight

You can click here to learn how you can help save sight.

If you're interested in joining the support group you can find Gaela's contact details here.

 

This week on In Plain Sight join your hosts Simon and Andrew as they talk with Gaela Hilditch, the volunteer coordinator for the Perth Glaucoma Support Group. In her twenties Gaela was hit in the eye during a game of squash, which years later she discovered had been a trigger behind her glaucoma diagnosis. Since this discovery she has been a strong advocate for increasing awareness of the disease and understanding how it affects people.
Gaela says the "support group brings people out of isolation. You meet people with all kinds of challenges, you have a good laugh and you form friendships, it's very therapeutic." If untreated, Glaucoma can lead to blindness but there are many forms of treatment which, if detected early enough, can stop the effects permanently. World Glaucoma Week exists as a reminder to get tested and monitor issues with sight.
Gaela reminds us that support is vital when learning to live and thrive with a disease like Glaucoma. Support groups can help alleviate anxieties and fears around sight loss and give advice for daily life.&nbsp;
If you'd like to learn more you can visit the Glaucoma Australia website <a href="https://glaucoma.org.au">here</a>.&nbsp;
During Glaucoma week don't forget to use the hashtags #GlaucomaWeek and #SavingSight
You can click <a href="https://glaucoma.org.au/how-you-can-help-save-sight/raise-awareness">here</a> to learn how you can help save sight.
If you're interested in joining the support group you can find Gaela's contact details <a href="https://glaucoma.org.au/node/877">here</a>.
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In Plain Sight, hosted by Simon Chong and produced by Andrew Williams, is a program where we highlight the incredible stories of people who are making a positive impact in the community and disability sector. Giving a voice to dedicated disability advocates demonstrating advocacy in all its different forms, shining a light on those who might otherwise be hidden ‘in plain sight'.

Get in touch with the program team via: inplainsight@visionaustralia.org. Simon and Andrew would love to hear your feedback, thoughts and ideas.

In Plain Sight, hosted by Simon Chong and produced by Andrew Williams, is a program where we highlight the incredible stories of people who are making a positive impact in the community and disability sector. Giving a voice to dedicated disability advocates demonstrating advocacy in all its different forms, shining a light on those who might otherwise be hidden &lsquo;in plain sight'.
Get in touch with the program team via:&nbsp;<a href="mailto:inplainsight@visionaustralia.org">inplainsight@visionaustralia.org</a>. Simon and Andrew would love to hear your feedback, thoughts and ideas.

In Plain Sight

In Plain Sight by Vision Australia Radio

World Glaucoma Week: Uniting for a Gaucoma-Free World

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa7924ac-d4fd-4bff-b1b4-ac7f006dda87/clips/7ba16937-e8cb-4c4d-8b31-b408018ad62b/transcript