Christmas Appeal 2024 – 140 years of making a difference
November 2024
This Christmas we’re asking our incredible community to keep our 140 year legacy going by supporting our organisation and our life changing Guide and Assistance Dog Program.
In 2015, Michael lost his eyesight following an allergic reaction to the antibiotics used during eye surgery.
Determined to live life to the fullest, Michael turned to See Differently for support, where he was first paired with his guide dog, Roy, and is now working with his second, Sterling (pictured).
For 140 years, we’ve been helping people like Michael see differently and achieve their goals, and we couldn’t do it without you. Your support allows See Differently to be there for South Australians who need us.
We are thrilled to share that Daisy Holt, Lead Guide Dogs at See Differently, was recently featured on The Pawsome Companion, a podcast dedicated to making you a better pet owner.
In this insightful episode, Daisy shared her expertise on guide dogs and their training, and also brought along Maxi, a retired See Differently guide dog.
Ever wondered what's involved in training a guide dog or how to interact with someone who has one? This episode covers it all, including:
- The life of a guide dog - How guide dogs are trained - What it’s like to be a guide dog handler - How to respectfully interact with guide dogs and their handlers - And more!
Tune in for a heartwarming and educational conversation that expands your understanding of these incredible dogs and the vital role they play in assisting people with visual impairments.
Listen now and learn more about the amazing work of See Differently guide dogs!
[Image Description 1:] A woman wearing See Differently shirt, speaking to the camera. [Image Description 2:] A yellow guide dog lying down with a woman smiling in the background. [Image Description 3:] Two women smiling at the camera, with a yellow guide dog standing proudly between them.
#SeeDifferently #ThePawsomeCompanion #GuideDogs #Podcast ... See MoreSee Less
Daisy has been very important in Michael and my life for the past ten years She has been responsible for both our dogs training and we are forever grateful She is a star ⭐️ Sash Michel Roy and Stirling xxxx
Great job Daisy sure made my train ride from Seaford to Adelaide much more enjoyable.
Congratulations Daisy, yet another string to your bow and of course well done to the Magnificent Maxi !
Daisy has been and is not only excellent with guide dogs but also with clients a volunteers. It was a true privilege to work as a volunteer with Daisy.
Congratulations Daisy and Maxi 👏👏 So much important knowledge, we are all very proud of you ⭐️
Well done daisy and max, fantastic insight into the guide dog program
Love this! Thank you, Daisy, for sharing your invaluable knowledge and insights with our Pawsome Companion listeners. Your efforts to educate people about guide dogs are truly inspiring, and we deeply appreciate the important work you do in raising awareness.
Well done all
Daisy has a gift she uses with all the dogs and every one she works with to get the best for all dogs and people who work together to get the best in the world working dogs.
Good onya mate, top Guide Dog Owner and Guide Dog trainer and a lovely lass.
Congratulations Daisy and to Maxi in his well earned retirement 👏
Well done, Daisy. An excellent interview. And good job, Maxi. 🦮
Amazing lady is Daisy. I have met her a few times 👍🙂
Are you a school-leaver with low vision, aged 16-22, ready to kickstart your career?
See Differently is here to help you build your skills, confidence, and independence through our School Leaver Employment Support (SLES) program.
This tailored two-year pathway is designed to set you up for success, offering: ● Resume, job application, and interview skills ● Computer literacy ● Communication and teamwork training ● Organisation and time management techniques ● Money management skills ● Workplace expectations guidance ● Personal presentation tips ● Support to work independently and stay motivated
Take charge of your future with a clear career path and the right support to help you on your journey!
Emma has been involved in RSB’s Autism Assistance Dog program since its inception, and a highlight of her working day is seeing the interaction between the children and their families and Marty (RSB’s very loveable Autism therapy dog).
Emma feels lucky to work in such a dynamic team which is passionate about increasing the confidence of their clients through increased independence and capacity.
Whilst she’s not a fan of birds, Emma is surrounded by animals at home, in the form of a Golden Retriever (Winnie) and two ragdoll kittens, which her two young children are besotted with.
Teresa
Senior Occupational Therapist
Teresa’s favourite part about working at RSB?.. Working with older clients; fighting frailty, reducing falls, and increasing independence and confidence in people living with low vision. She also loves seeing dogs in the RSB workplace!
Originally from the UK, Teresa is now making the most of South Australia’s beaches, where you’ll find her kayaking, cycling, or walking her dog.
Melina
Senior Occupational Therapist
If you’re an older person with vision loss, Melina wants to speak with you! Melina loves working with older people, working on home modifications, ensuring a safe and practical environment for her clients.
Mel is big on health and enjoys going to the gym, walking her dogs and hitting the beach.
Holly
Senior Occupational Therapist
Holly loves variety, and as a qualified OT and Orientation and Mobility Specialist she has found herself in the ideal role. Holly loves being on the road and meeting people in their own homes where she can hear their stories and better understand their needs.
Holly also has a photographic memory and an exceptional knowledge of celebrity gossip! Keep a spot free on your next quiz night table…
Shenade
Occupational Therapist
Shenade is inspired by her “incredible, driven and dedicated team at RSB every day!”. She is also inspired by learning and holds a Master’s in Occupational Therapy, Bachelor or Health Science and a Postgraduate degree in Disability Studies.
This all leads to her passion which is… supporting clients to reach their goals, big or small and helping them to engage in meaningful activities.
Shenade hails from Sevenhill, a small country town north of Adelaide with a population of 120 people.
Leonie
Senior Occupational Therapist
Leonie is big on family and for this reason the Animal Assisted Therapy program for kids with Autism is one of her favourites. The program offers a unique approach to therapy and seeing the kids interacting with the therapy dog and achieving their goals is truly inspiring.
Leonie also enjoys visiting people in their homes where she feels OT’s can make the biggest difference.
Leonie is at home at the river with her family, where she enjoys camping and water skiing.
Hannah
Senior Occupational Therapist
Hannah has been at RSB since graduating in 2012 and loves working with older people, learning about their lives and experiences, and supporting them to live independently.
The diversity of RSB’s clients and being surrounded by the fabulous OT team has Hannah excited to get to work each day!
Hannah has just returned to RSB from maternity leave and there’s never a dull moment at home, where she enjoys playing with her one-year-old son and spending family time at the beach.
Sarah
Senior Occupational Therapist
Sarah came to RSB with a background in mental health and loves learning from clients about how they have found ways to adapt to their vision impairment.
Sarah enjoys finding Assistive Technology solutions for individuals, with simple items often packing the biggest punch. Tactile markers are a favourite. Small and affordable, tactile markers in the home, can be difference between someone being independent with their daily tasks or needing to rely on others.
Sarah is based in RSB’s southern office and is big on the outdoors, spending time gardening, cycling, at live music and discovering new places.
Sarah
Occupational Therapist
Sarah runs RSB’s northern cooking group where clients learn skills to be able to cook independently. Eating the food is another enjoyable part of the class, most recently lasagna and scones (not together!). As a passionate cook herself, Sarah has taken cooking classes in Italy, Thailand, Bali and locally.
Sarah loves hitting the road for RSB and visiting clients in regional areas. Streaky Bay is the furthest she has ventured so far, and she is looking forward to more travels in upcoming months.
With over 12 years’ experience in the field of vision loss, Claire feels strongly that there is so much still to learn and is inspired by the daily challenge of learning something new. As an Assistive Technology specialist this extends to her knowledge and interest in the very latest in vision technology.
As an undergraduate, Claire spent time Uganda and Kenya where she worked on grass roots projects and supported cataract operations.
Also, if you’re looking for a Welsh speaker… contact Claire, who grew up in North Wales and is fluent in the language.
Amy
Senior Occupational Therapist
Amy loves working as a specialist in blindness and vision loss with people of all ages, helping them achieve optimal performance at home, school, work, and the wider community. Amy also thrives in the NDIS area, where she works hard to get the best results for her clients.
Having grown up in the Riverland, Amy loves being outdoors, and on the weekend, you’ll find her hitting the road visiting family in regional South Australia, camping and spending time with friends (and her gorgeous dog).
Dayna
Occupational Therapist
Dayna’s dad is a wheelchair bodybuilder and inspiration. He also has paraplegia, and it was though his interactions with OT’s as she was growing up that Dayna was introduced to the profession.
Dayna’s passion is cool technology, so if you’re looking for a run-down on the latest Assistive Technology devices for vision, she’s the one to talk to. The Talk Through Tech program for over 65’s looking to learn new skills is understandably her favourite at RSB.
Lauren
Lead Occupational Therapist
Lauren likes solutions. She loves being able to talk to clients about what it is they what to achieve, big or small, and finding ways to incorporate Assistive Technology or home modifications to enable great outcomes.
If she had to pick a favourite gadget it would be portable electronic magnifiers, which are easy to operate but pack a big punch in terms of increasing the capacity of individuals to undertake home and community-based tasks such as reading mail, following a knitting pattern or recipe, or reading price tags in the shop (without relying on someone else).
If Lauren looks familiar, you may have been at a wedding she presided over. A lover of love and celebrations, on weekends Lauren works as a marriage celebrant across South Australia.
Christmas Appeal | Michael’s Story
In 2015, Michael lost his eyesight following an allergic reaction to the antibiotics used during eye surgery.
Determined to live life to the fullest, Michael turned to
See Differently for support, where he was first paired with his guide dog, Roy, and is now working with his second, Sterling (pictured).
For 140 years, we’ve been helping people like Michael see differently and achieve their goals, and we couldn’t do it without you. Your support allows See Differently to be there for South Australians who need us.
Watch Michael’s Story >> bit.ly/SeeingDifferentlyMichaelsStory
Learn how you can support people living with vision impairment this Christmas >> bit.ly/SeeDifferentlyDonateThisChristmas
#ChristmasAppeal#DonateToday #SeeDifferently #140Years #SocialImpact ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
They are very cute and love putting in as many hours needed to support See Differently A wonderful organisation to support
My amazing brother. 🥰
Exciting News!
We are thrilled to share that Daisy Holt, Lead Guide Dogs at See Differently, was recently featured on The Pawsome Companion, a podcast dedicated to making you a better pet owner.
In this insightful episode, Daisy shared her expertise on guide dogs and their training, and also brought along Maxi, a retired See Differently guide dog.
Ever wondered what's involved in training a guide dog or how to interact with someone who has one? This episode covers it all, including:
- The life of a guide dog
- How guide dogs are trained
- What it’s like to be a guide dog handler
- How to respectfully interact with guide dogs and their handlers
- And more!
Tune in for a heartwarming and educational conversation that expands your understanding of these incredible dogs and the vital role they play in assisting people with visual impairments.
Listen now and learn more about the amazing work of See Differently guide dogs!
Click here to listen >> bit.ly/SeeDifferentlyPodcast
[Image Description 1:] A woman wearing See Differently shirt, speaking to the camera.
[Image Description 2:] A yellow guide dog lying down with a woman smiling in the background.
[Image Description 3:] Two women smiling at the camera, with a yellow guide dog standing proudly between them.
#SeeDifferently #ThePawsomeCompanion #GuideDogs #Podcast ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
Daisy has been very important in Michael and my life for the past ten years She has been responsible for both our dogs training and we are forever grateful She is a star ⭐️ Sash Michel Roy and Stirling xxxx
Great job Daisy sure made my train ride from Seaford to Adelaide much more enjoyable.
Congratulations Daisy, yet another string to your bow and of course well done to the Magnificent Maxi !
Daisy has been and is not only excellent with guide dogs but also with clients a volunteers. It was a true privilege to work as a volunteer with Daisy.
Congratulations Daisy and Maxi 👏👏 So much important knowledge, we are all very proud of you ⭐️
Well done daisy and max, fantastic insight into the guide dog program
Love this! Thank you, Daisy, for sharing your invaluable knowledge and insights with our Pawsome Companion listeners. Your efforts to educate people about guide dogs are truly inspiring, and we deeply appreciate the important work you do in raising awareness.
Well done all Daisy has a gift she uses with all the dogs and every one she works with to get the best for all dogs and people who work together to get the best in the world working dogs.
Good onya mate, top Guide Dog Owner and Guide Dog trainer and a lovely lass.
Congratulations Daisy and to Maxi in his well earned retirement 👏
Well done, Daisy. An excellent interview. And good job, Maxi. 🦮
Amazing lady is Daisy. I have met her a few times 👍🙂
Great Daisy will be so helpful🥰🐾
Great work Daisy ❤️
Congratulations Daisy. Fantastic!
Well done Daisy, and of course Max
Yeah for Daisy and Max. 😊
Well done Daisy and Maxi
Well done Daisy
Excellent work Daisy & Maxi!
Barry Westmoreland take a look at this
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Are you a school-leaver with low vision, aged 16-22, ready to kickstart your career?
See Differently is here to help you build your skills, confidence, and independence through our School Leaver Employment Support (SLES) program.
This tailored two-year pathway is designed to set you up for success, offering:
● Resume, job application, and interview skills
● Computer literacy
● Communication and teamwork training
● Organisation and time management techniques
● Money management skills
● Workplace expectations guidance
● Personal presentation tips
● Support to work independently and stay motivated
Take charge of your future with a clear career path and the right support to help you on your journey!
To find out more about the SLES program, visit>> bit.ly/SeeDifferentlyEmploymentSevices
[Image description: A woman and a man looking at a notebook.]
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