Blind Courage: Lorin & Dean’s 4000km Cycling Challenge
Photo: Brothers Dean and Lorin will cycle across Australia to raise vital funds for Vision Australia.
Dean and Lorin need your support to raise funds to support Vision Australia's vital services for people who are blind or have low vision.
Brothers Dean and Lorin Nicholson were born with retinitis pigmentosa, less than 10 per cent sight and have been legally blind their entire lives. But they have never let their blindness hold them back and this month they will create Australian history when they ride tandem pushbikes more than 4000km across Australia's harshest terrain.
On March 29, the Brisbane-based siblings will depart Perth on an epic journey across the Nullarbor that will wind up in Sydney a month later.
Their aim is to raise vital funds for Vision Australia, the nation's leading provider of blindness and low vision services, and generate awareness of the significant abilities of people who are blind or have low vision.
"We are two brothers who despite being blind want to live normal lives and enjoy all the wonderful experiences that this life has to offer. We are both educated with successful careers and more importantly both happily married each with four children.
But we haven't done any of this on our own. We have had tremendous help and encouragement from our families, friends and specialist organisations like Vision Australia," says Lorin.
When they were younger Dean and Lorin received school support from the Royal Blind Society (now Vision Australia).
"My main contact was for check-ups and support from an itinerant teacher," says Lorin. "They supplied large-print text books and organised equipment such as a magnifier for studying and later a CCTV. It was one of the earliest models. I still have it - it should be put in a museum! The technology has changed dramatically over the last 20 years," he added.
The pair still use Vision Australia's Information Library Service and receive specialist equipment advice from us:
I still like to drop in to Vision Australia to catch up with what's new, and I am always looking for ways to give back and support other people who are blind or have low vision to be able to live the best life they can.
This ride will be a dream come true for my brother and I and it will bring us a great sense of accomplishment. But it means much more to us than that.
According to a report by Vision Australia more than 63% of Australians who are blind who want to work are unable to find meaningful employment.
Dean and I want to challenge the public's perception and encourage employers to give a fair go to people who are blind or have low vision. We want to show the nation that anything is possible when you put your mind to it."
Your gift today will go a long way towards supporting people like Dean and Lorin to be able to live the lives they choose.
With ongoing community support, Vision Australia will continue to ensure children who are blind or have low vision do not struggle later in life to achieve their social, educational and career goals.
Optus Country, Virgin Blue Airlines, Cannondale Cycles, Bowdens Group, Water & Carbon, Kea Campers and ISP Media are proud sponsors of the expedition 'Blind Courage'.