Sekinda, a specialist low vision orthoptist and one of our Life Ready experts, is often one of the first healthcare professionals a person who is blind or has vision loss will meet with at Vision Australia – and it’s a fact Sekinda shares with pride.
She knows this first meeting is incredibly important in helping people lead the life they choose. ‘I provide advice on a range of vision aids, lighting, contrast and technology solutions to help individuals make the most of their eyesight and regain or maintain their independence,’ she explains.
Her clients range ‘from a few months old to 90 years old and beyond’, meaning no two days, or two recommendations, are ever the same. ‘Everyone's goal is different,’ says Sekinda. ‘I always see their goals as my goals.’
By understanding what each person wants to achieve, be that reading the news, completing puzzles or using technology to communicate with their family, Sekinda can test residual vision, depth perception, contrast, colour and lighting requirements using a low vision assessment process.
The results help Sekinda recommend best-fit vision aids and strategies. Some people may benefit from a functional vision assessment; low vision strategies and/or optical magnifiers, others will be best suited to electronic magnifiers.
Other times, Sekinda makes practical recommendations, such as referrals to Vision Australia’s team of Life Ready experts: speech therapists, psychologists and counsellors, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, orientation and mobility specialists or technology access specialists.
Every day is rewarding for Sekinda and gives her an immense feeling of accomplishment – but she and our expert team couldn’t do it alone. Their work is possible because of supporters like you – thank you so much for your kindness.