Featured, Stories - January 5, 2026
Blind freedom: Wendy living life of possibilities
Wendy is living proof that disability doesn’t define your abilities — and that the right supports can open the door to doing what you love.
Blind for much of her life, the Echuca local has never let that stand in the way of pursuing a life of opportunities and staying connected to the things that matter most.
With her trademark optimism, Wendy has a message for others living with disability:
“People say ‘you can’t,’ but I say ‘I can’. You just have to think outside the box. It might take some figuring out, but most things are doable.”
Wendy
Wendy said the NDIS — and the support of Intereach local area coordinator Fiona — helped her stay independent and actively connected to the community she loves.
Born with Retinitis Pigmentosa — a rare eye condition that gradually breaks down the cells in the retina — Wendy’s vision slowly deteriorated over many years. She has now been completely blind for two decades.
But she said vision loss was never a reason to stop living.
“Sure, you have tough days, but you can’t let it bring you down and stop you. I’ve got too much living to do,” she said.
Fiona said Wendy’s positive mindset and willpower had made all the difference.
“Wendy has taught me you can achieve anything you put your mind to if it is a real passion,” Fiona said.
“Wendy shows what’s possible when supports are used resourcefully. Every time I speak with her, she’s achieved something new.”
One of those successes has been her determination to continue riding horses.
Wendy’s passion for horses spans a lifetime.
“From the time I was in nappies, I was sitting on a horse,” she laughs.
When her former riding instructor moved away, Wendy engaged Jodie from HorseHand as a support worker who understands how to guide her safely around horses. Together they adapted Wendy’s setup to suit her blindness.
“Jodie had to completely rethink how she supports me. I’m teaching her, and she’s teaching me,” Wendy explained.
They added bells to her horse’s gear so she could hear its movements and introduced sound markers around the arena to help her stay oriented. With these safety measures in place, Wendy can confidently ride in her arena on her own terms.
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It has completely improved my life. I can do things independently that I’ve wanted to do for a long time,” Wendy said.
Wendy’s resilience is a reminder that disability is not the end of possibility — it’s the start of finding new ways forward.
With the right supports behind her, she is shaping a life of independence and purpose.
If you’re living with disability and need support, reach out to Intereach on 1300 488 226 or visit www.intereach.com.au
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