June 25, 2025 • 58 mins
On FOCAL POINT:
- Edward Delgado lost his sight aged 60 and started learning technology for the first time in his life. 86 years young Eddie is a tremendous inspiration and role model to many others.
- Justine Crawford has brought Achilles Runners Club to Adelaide. Achilles member, Cassie Hames, is enjoying the benefits, namely the freedom, and is setting new goals.
- Dr Moira Junge, CEO for Sleep Health Foundation, had news on Mounjaro (tirzepatide) mimicking two hormones, GLP-1 and GIP, is now indicated by TGA approval as the First medicine for
for common sleep disorders. - Phil Vandepeer, co-presenter and co-founder for Focal Point shared, many memories going back over 63 years,of the Late and talented Wendy McDougall. Wendy produced Focal Point for over 25 years. Phil also reflected on the results of the federal election.
Resources:
Achilles Adelaide: email adelaide@achillesaustralia.org.au or go to https://www.achillesaustralia.org.au/adelaide/
Sleep Health Foundation: http://www.sleephealthfoundation.org.au
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
S1 (00:14):
Good evening and welcome to Focal Point here on this
Australia Radio 1190 7 a.m. Adelaide, online at via radio
Dot via Radio Digital Navigator Darwin to the Community Radio
Plus app. Look for Vision Australia, Radio Adelaide and the
Reading Radio Network. Peter Greco on behalf of Phillip Napier,
saying thank you so much for your company. This program
(00:37):
coming to you from Garden Land, come to you very,
very shortly. We'll meet Edward Delgado, who started losing his
sight at 60 and started learning computers. Will find out
about that. We'll catch up with Jessica Crawford and also
Cathy Haines. Talk about the Achilles Runners Club. They've come
to Adelaide and a chance for you to get involved
(00:57):
as high level or low level as you'd like. Then
we'll catch up with Doctor Marie Jung from the Sleep
Health Foundation. Talk about a drug that has now been
made available for more sleep issues. We'll chat tomorrow about
that and Phil Vanderpool will join us. Co-Founder and co-presenter
of Focalpoint. Phil will have a chance to pay tribute
to the late Wendy McDougall also will get Phil's views
(01:20):
regarding the federal election. If you're listening through 1190 7 a.m.
in Adelaide at 8:00 for your listening pleasure, Lizzie and
Sam are here with Studio one. Let's find out what's
on studio one.
S2 (01:33):
We ask, is ignorance bliss or is it simply another
form of discrimination? We look at some of the times
when people have been singled out and discriminated against, often
for some of the most innocent of reasons.
S3 (01:45):
Join us at 8:00 for studio one.
S1 (01:48):
I'd like to introduce you to Edward Delgado. We call
him Eddie because he's our friend Eddie. Welcome. Thanks so
much for your time. Really appreciate you speaking to us.
S4 (01:57):
Thank you very much for your attention to me.
S1 (02:00):
Eddie. You started to lose your sight at about the
age of 60?
S4 (02:04):
That's correct.
S1 (02:05):
Tell us what happened.
S4 (02:07):
Well, I had an operation for a cataract in my
left eye by a doctor, Professor Fred Hollows. And but
he didn't didn't do the operation himself. It was one
of his assistants. And, um, unfortunately, the operation went bad
(02:33):
because I developed which is called a spike or a
sudden glaucoma, which is a sudden and very, very, very
elevated pressure of the, um, internal fluid of the eye,
which can cause a lot of damage. And, and practically
(02:54):
it can do it from one day to the other.
And I was told after the operation if I Experience
pain or loss of vision. Sudden loss of vision. To
contact them and I, which I did. That was in there,
if I remember rightly on a Wednesday and they couldn't
see me until Saturday morning. And by then it was
(03:19):
too late and I was practically lost all the vision
in my left eye, which was my good eye.
S1 (03:27):
And I'd imagine that was a fairly unusual occurrence that
because a lot of cataract operations go very smoothly.
S4 (03:33):
Well, I understand it's a pretty unusual occurrence after that. Um,
Professor Horrocks declared me, um, legally blind and put me
under the care of, um, then the Royal Blind Society.
And I decided to go to a different path to retrain.
(03:57):
And I choose computers. And at that time, in 1992,
it was very much in the in the infancy. I
never touched a computer before in my life, and that
was a very good experience because I learned from from
the basics, from those. And after that, it was a
(04:19):
window 3.1, which is a long time ago, and I
like it, I like it. And and after receiving basic
training from the Royal Society, I went to the staff
and I got a call for three years and I
(04:40):
learned all the principles of micro computing and including including
touch type, which is I'm glad I did it because
in those days I could see some. I have some
vision in my right eye I because in that I,
(05:01):
I had a which acute myopia and I had which
is called macular degeneration. Myopic macular degeneration not age related.
S1 (05:15):
What about your.
S4 (05:16):
Attitude?
S1 (05:17):
Eddie, what made your attitude be so that a you
wanted to learn computers and b then do a TAFE
course about it? What what what made you think like that?
S4 (05:26):
I enjoyed all that. I well, all my life I've been,
I've been very keen on on gadgets and electronics and
I never developed any. I was, I was a musician
in my country. I played there in the local symphony orchestra.
And when I come to Australia in 1972, I wanted
(05:49):
to be good enough to, um, join the the Sydney
Symphony Orchestra. That's what I wanted. But Unfortunately, I was
too old then. I was in my mid 30s, so
it was. It was a lot of competition and younger
(06:09):
people and um, I never achieved that goal, but I
played in most of the um, Symphony orchestra, Amateur Symphony
Orchestra in Sydney.
S1 (06:21):
So what instrument did you play? Eddie?
S4 (06:23):
The double bass. The big fiddle.
S1 (06:28):
That's a pretty cool instrument, isn't it?
S4 (06:30):
Yes.
S1 (06:31):
I knew the cool dudes play the double bass.
S4 (06:35):
Um.
S1 (06:37):
Yeah.
S4 (06:37):
And, um, I played for many years in the in
the Northern Chamber Orchestra, which is based in mainly in
the Northern Beaches. And, um, that was a very good
experience because it was a very good orchestra, had very
good standards, and the majority was was young people, and
(06:58):
I was double the age of most of the the performers.
And they treat me very well.
S1 (07:06):
And they probably kept you young and you probably kept
them wiser.
S4 (07:11):
Absolutely, absolutely. I had a very good time there. It's
been one of the happiest experiences of my life.
S1 (07:22):
Eddie, what about.
S4 (07:23):
And.
S1 (07:23):
What about learning computers? And particularly I believe you also
enjoy using voice activated technology as well.
S4 (07:31):
Yes. Yes, absolutely. After I learned computers, I. Well, I
get acquainted because in 1996, after developing certain skills, I
got a job in, in in Telstra in the call
centre in Darling Harbour. That was it was a good
(07:56):
experience for me because he was a very good environment,
and that one has been the best job I ever
had in my life. And, um, well, I got the
job thanks to Vision Australia or Royal Society was then. Yeah,
they got me that job. And, um, with assistance, of course.
(08:20):
And I had to use, um, zoom, zoom text. No,
it wasn't zoom text in those days. It was a
it was a different I can't remember now. It was
a different, uh, adaptive technology, but it needed to magnify
the screen of the computer for me to use it.
(08:42):
But in those days, I had enough vision to use
one line at the time. Do you understand?
S1 (08:50):
Yep, yep.
S4 (08:51):
Mind if I11 line at a time of the screen.
And that's why I manage to to perform my my duties.
You have to.
S1 (09:00):
Have a lot of you have to have a lot
of patience for that, wouldn't you, Eddie?
S4 (09:03):
Oh, yes. Um, and and I enjoy that because, um,
I also use Jos, and now I've been using zoom
from for a long number of years, and I use
now I use zoom text and magnify reader.
S1 (09:21):
And I believe you also.
S4 (09:22):
Use a computer.
S1 (09:24):
I believe you also use voiceover.
S4 (09:26):
Oh, yes. Um, eventually I got acquainted through my through
my son. I got acquainted with the with the iPhones,
and they showed me the phone and they, they thought
that it couldn't be able to use it. But by
using VoiceOver, I learned to navigate and got no problem.
(09:52):
Now I use my iPhone and I reckon she is
my best friend.
S1 (10:00):
Now I believe you read books, for example with your iPhone.
S4 (10:03):
Oh yes, I have read more books. Audio books from
the Vision Australia library. I have read more audiobooks in
my life that I read print books, and I was
a very good reader because I lost my, uh, before
I lost my sight. And the last book I read
(10:26):
in 1997 was a book that my sister gave me.
It was seven anos de Soledad 100 Years of Solitude
by Gabriel Garcia marquez in Spanish. And I remember I
managed to read the last page of that book with
(10:47):
a magnifying glass.
S1 (10:49):
A lot of patience about you, Eddie. Hey, Eddie. So. Oh, yeah.
At the age of 60, you've lost a lot of
your sight. You've had to kind of relearn a lot
of skills. Learned the computer virtually from scratch. What would
you say to people who think, oh, I'm too old
to learn new tricks? That's not really for me. What
would you say to them?
S4 (11:08):
I was an old dog. New tricks. And what I said,
I always say to all old people. Now, at the moment,
I'm 96 years old. And technology.
S1 (11:24):
Eddie, it's.
S4 (11:25):
Always been very curious about technology. I always tried to.
To learn everything. The latest development at the moment, I
got Gemini. Google Gemini on my phone, and I got, um,
Microsoft Copilot. And I got a lot of fun having
(11:46):
a conversation. And having an argument with copilot.
S1 (11:55):
Pick up.
S4 (11:55):
Pick up.
S1 (11:56):
Pick fights. You can win. Hey, Eddie, on a serious note,
I believe you've got granddaughters. They must think grandpa's pretty cool,
don't they?
S4 (12:04):
Oh, the girls have been very helpful to me because
young kids from the beginning, they have accumulated me to
stimulate my curiosity and show me new things, new tricks.
And with my iPhone particularly, and, um, with my computer,
(12:27):
although I use a computer and a windows computer and
they all use Apple. Apple, in any case, they always
been next to me helping me in that regard.
S1 (12:42):
Oh, I can understand why they'd want to be hanging
around you. Eddie, you sound like you'd be great.
S4 (12:46):
Well, they love me.
S1 (12:48):
I can believe that. Eddie, you're a bit of a
fan of Vision Australia radio, too, I believe.
S4 (12:53):
Absolutely, yes.
S1 (12:56):
Yeah. Uh, well, it's good to have you as part
of the family now. Not only do you listen to us,
but you also speak to us. And people can hear
you on the radio.
S4 (13:06):
Well, like I mentioned to you, I've been having a
Vision Australia client for a long time. For many, many years.
And since it was, um, Royal Blind Society in Enfield,
I used to go there and then and the, the
people I remember the, the first trainer that I had,
(13:28):
it was a lady called Mary and she was blind,
and she was my inspiration because she had no vision.
And she she described me everything that she was doing.
And I said, if she can do it, I can
do it too.
S1 (13:44):
Yeah.
S4 (13:45):
And the other one, the other one I knew there
he was there with Woodbridge.
S1 (13:50):
He must have been a bit younger then. I reckon
he's pretty old now.
S4 (13:57):
Yeah.
S1 (13:58):
And that's fantastic. Well, I think again, that's such an
important lesson that you learn from someone who's been through
similar things. And when you see what they can do
and they can inspire you, it gives you that bit
of confidence. And you're now doing that to other people.
S4 (14:13):
Yeah, I, I've had a few jobs that I got
him through Vision Australia and also with some vision impaired people,
and we had a very good comradery, whatever the word
is camaraderie. Yeah, I said it right.
S1 (14:35):
I Eddie, we're out of time. But it's been an
absolute joy talking to you. Thank you. Well, thank you
so much for getting in touch with us and telling
us a little bit about you and the fact that
Now we've learned a little bit more about, uh, what
makes you tick and also giving us a lot of
inspiration to try new things. Don't be afraid to try
new things.
S4 (14:54):
I thank you for for for your interest. And on
my person.
S1 (14:59):
Eddie Delgado there lost his sight at 60. Started learning computers, technology.
What an inspiration. What a wonderful role model. Well, it's
really good news that Achilles Running Club is coming to Adelaide.
Let's chat a bit about it with, uh, the person
who brought to Adelaide, apparently Justine Crawford. Justine, great to
(15:21):
meet you. And thanks for your time.
S5 (15:22):
Nice to speak to you, Peter.
S1 (15:24):
And Cathy Haines is with us, who's, of course, the
award winning app developer. Cathy, great to have you with
us as well.
S6 (15:30):
Well, thanks for having me on.
S1 (15:31):
Yeah. Well, Justine, you bought this Adelaide, is that right?
Have we got that information correct?
S5 (15:35):
No. That's correct.
S1 (15:36):
Tell us a bit about how and why.
S5 (15:39):
Uh, yeah, actually, I saw Achilles, um, Melbourne in operation, uh,
running around the town a few years ago and was
just intrigued. And it reached out to Achilles Sydney, who
was sort of the tentative head office for Australia, I guess,
to see how I could volunteer in Adelaide, only to
discover there was not a chapter here. So I decided
that South Australia needs the same opportunities. And so I
(16:02):
just said about what I needed to do to get
it happening here, which has been fantastic.
S1 (16:06):
Maybe we should go back a step. I mean, I'm
sure I've certainly spoken to some of the interstate groups before,
but for those who might not be aware, who or
what is Achilles?
S5 (16:15):
Yeah. Achilles is an organisation where we bring together athletes
with vision impairment and trained volunteer guides to enjoy walking
and running safely. So we train together once a week.
At the moment we're training in Glenelg because it's traffic
free and nice open spaces, and then we catch up
once a month to have coffee after. And the idea
is to for support and inclusion and empowerment, to be
(16:37):
one of us, to help anyone who just wants to
walk or who wants to run. Um.
S1 (16:42):
Kathy, what got you involved? Because you told us about
this and also about Justine. Um, how did you kind
of discover it?
S6 (16:48):
Yeah. So, um, I was also like, I found out about, um,
Achilles Melbourne at Stadium Stomp a couple of years ago.
And so I've been sort of like following the Achilles, uh,
you know, journey since then. And, um, you know, once
I heard that Achilles Adelaide was starting up, I was, uh. Yeah,
very excited and made sure I had it out.
S1 (17:10):
So you said we spoke to you in the past
and you're a person with a vision impairment? Of course.
Have designed that, uh, bus signalling app. So I guess,
you know, you like to get out and about. And
if you can do it safely, particularly to maybe add
to your fitness, this is another way of doing it.
S6 (17:24):
Oh, absolutely. Like, you know, to be able to go
out for an hour each week, you know, not have
to use my cane, you know, like to to hand
the keys over, um, so to speak to someone else, um,
you know, like, it's great. Like, I don't have to
really think about, like, where I'm going or what I'm doing.
I've just got to pay attention to, you know, like,
do I go left? Do I go right? What's the
(17:45):
tether doing? You know, to be able to go out
for a run outside is just, you know, it's fantastic.
S1 (17:51):
This thing we're about to go now. Do you meet
and whereabouts do you kind of run? You talked about
no traffic. I mean, I'm sure there's some traffic in
some places of Glenelg.
S5 (17:59):
We made it the Glenelg rotunda. We made it 845
every Saturday. Um, and then we pair off and then
set off at 9:00 to get going, and typically we
head south from there. But, um, you know, we can
go north. And really, most of that way you can
actually avoid road traffic anyway the entire way for, you know,
you could get a 20 or 30 K run in
(18:20):
and not, not actually have to cross a road. So
it's a really good space. We certainly have people like
and depending on the day there could be dogs and
other people and bikes, but that's what the guides are
there to try and help person with vision impairment not
have to worry about. What I found, as Cassie said,
is that it's the enjoyment of not having to think
about it for an hour. You've got someone else just
(18:40):
leading the way, and we all get to have an
hour together.
S1 (18:44):
Being outdoors and a good track and in quotes, I mean, like,
you know, not not too many impairments or stumbling blocks
in a way that, you know, can be a bit
of a hazardous.
S5 (18:52):
No, it's pretty good. I actually did some training with
Achilles Sydney, and they run, um, around the harbour. And
I can guarantee you we have far less, uh, issues
for us. Yeah, we don't really even have bollards. There's
not really low hanging trees. The paths actually been done, um,
relatively recently, so it's nice and smooth and wide. I think. Cassie,
would you agree with that?
S6 (19:12):
Yeah. No, I haven't crashed into anything or, uh, tripped over. So,
you know, it's always a good time.
S1 (19:18):
But on a serious note, have you had kind of,
quote unquote training? Uh, or either because you're just starting
to because, I mean, you know, there's a, a conventional
sighted guide technique that people can use to, you know,
kind of get around the street, okay, normally quote unquote, again, but, uh,
to be tethered and stuff, do you kind of have
a bit of a, a training, uh, situation as to
(19:38):
make sure it's all pretty, you know, pretty kosher.
S5 (19:42):
Well, I'll talk about it from the God's point of view.
Start with, um, we do have a training session, like
I went to Sydney and did some training. I've also
recently done some human guide training with guide dogs. Uh,
South Australia, which was really good. A lot of it
is learning on the run. As I've said to other guides, um,
you know, the the person with vision impairment is more aware,
(20:03):
like we, we, we train people with blindfolds on so
they can get a feeling of what it's like and
to call out and then you really just have to
have a bit of a go. And as people get
more experienced, they obviously heading out. So yeah, Cassie and
I together would be fine. And a whole bunch of people,
if I had a new guide out, I would spend
the first session training them on what? And there's a
whole process that we've got that on our website. It's
(20:23):
on Instagram, you know, available to read, and there's videos
on how to do it. And then we do it
in person, and then we would tell it, line up
a new guide with an existing guide. So they run
alongside to start with to get the idea and get
the experience and then take some time doing it.
S1 (20:38):
Oh, that's a great idea about the two guides kind
of running together. The old and the new, if you like.
That's a great way to kind of introduce both parties,
I guess, to a bit of a, you know, feel
of how it all work.
S5 (20:48):
Absolutely. And it's just safer and more reassuring, I would think,
for the person with visual impairment, but also for the guide,
because I think the guides worry that they're going to
do something wrong. But in general, it's it's it's just
being aware of your surroundings.
S1 (20:59):
Just think you're very clever. I like that line. You
do training on the run. I like.
S5 (21:03):
That. Yeah.
S1 (21:05):
Kathy, what about for you, then? Uh, obviously we've kind
of touched on the fact that to feel comfortable and
safe with who you're with and, uh, given what Justine
has said in terms of the preparation. So you'd be
pretty comfortable that the person that you're running with is
kind of know, you know, know what to look out
for or how to communicate.
S6 (21:21):
Yeah. For sure. Um, you know, like, I guess, you know, like,
we're used to sort of the sighted guide side of things,
you know, running with a tether, um, to start with
was a bit of a different experience. But, you know, like,
we just started out with the walk and and then,
you know, built up from there and got, you know,
like the hang of it and like, I think it's
a great way to do it.
S1 (21:41):
So Justine recently did you have some people competing? Was
it the half marathon?
S5 (21:45):
We went out for the Adelaide Marathon Festival and we
had a variety. So we had some five K runners,
some five K walkers, some ten K walkers, some ten
K runners. And then um Warren, one of our I
guess fastest athletes at this stage. He did the half
marathon and did a PB.
S1 (21:59):
Absolutely fantastic. Was it that I mean kind of there's
proof of how important and how valuable something like this
can be. I mean, we're probably not for that. That
record probably wouldn't have happened or that wouldn't have happened.
S5 (22:10):
No. Yeah. And I think it's, um, like, I'm a
firm believer that, um, when we move our bodies, you know,
it helps our minds to whether it's walk or run,
just being out in the fresh air with good company.
You know, being physical, physically moving is one of the
simplest and easiest ways to help your mental health, your
physical wellbeing, and to are able to help people that
would not otherwise be able to do that is just being.
(22:31):
It's wonderful actually, and our guides are The really enjoying
that experience as well and seeing that that achievement. It's
just it's really a beautiful, simple concept that Achilles has,
but it's it's just fantastic.
S1 (22:45):
Much conversation goes on. Cathy. Much kayaking, uh, encouragement. What's
the atmosphere like?
S6 (22:51):
I know there's always a conversation, uh, going, you know,
like you'll be chatting away about something and then, um,
you know, the conversation will change to be like, okay, we're,
you know, turning, turning left in, um, you know, five
meters or whatever. And then the conversation picks up again to,
you know, whatever we were discussing. So it's that social
side of things. It's also, you know, the benefit of
(23:11):
going out for a run. Um, you know, uh, even,
you know, the coffee catch ups, um, once a month, like,
you know, it, it does wonders for your mental health.
S1 (23:21):
Justin, how are you going? Are you need more, uh,
guides or more runners, or are you evenly balanced? How
does that all work?
S5 (23:26):
We're getting there. We? We'd always love to have more.
Both guides and athletes. At the moment, we have enough
guides guards for the athletes who are coming out, but
it would be lovely to build the pool of guides
in particular, so that everyone's got flexibility. So yeah, not
about being locked in every Saturday. It's just putting your
hand up when you can come and making sure that
all the athletes, um, have someone to guide them. We
(23:48):
haven't had a time where we haven't had enough guides. Yeah,
we've been pretty close and I've been a bit worried, but, uh, no.
So we'd love to see some more people. And I
guess people just need to know, you know, you don't
need to be fast. You don't need to be an expert.
You just need to be kind, patient, willing to learn.
And then, um, Achilles will actually support both the athlete
and all the guides along the way. On on how
(24:09):
to be involved.
S1 (24:10):
I was going to ask you about the kind of, uh,
level of ability or level of fitness or, uh, the
speed that someone moves at that kind of irrelevant.
S5 (24:18):
It is really. We have people that, um, walkers to runners.
We've probably got some walkers that would like to learn
to run, and we've got some that will just continue
to walk. And we've got some runners that including our, um,
app developer that we're talking to right now. She's setting
a goal for a marathon next year. So yeah, a marathon.
S1 (24:40):
All right.
S5 (24:41):
It's exciting, but we we welcome anyone, and we actually
need people. We need people that are happy to walk
with someone with low vision, as well as someone who's
happy to run.
S1 (24:50):
Great point. Cathy. Uh, marathon next year. Is the city
of Dubai in your target this year?
S6 (24:55):
Absolutely. Got the half marathon. Um, in, uh, in my sights. Um, so,
you know, again, the great thing with Achilles, um, you know, like,
I've wanted to do the half marathon city for quite
a number of years, but, you know, I didn't have
the guide to be able to do it. So to
now be able to like, you know, participate in the
(25:16):
event is super exciting.
S1 (25:18):
It sounds great. And, uh, what about Justine in terms
of costs? How does that all work?
S5 (25:22):
Yeah, we've got some, um, supporters, a pretty low cost
model that we work with, and we've had some great, uh,
donations and donors along the way. I mean, we're always
happy to have some more support. Most of the cost
is in helping the athletes sign up for events. And
then if the guide needs help, you know, long term,
we'd love to get. As an example, awesome to get
Cassie to go to the Sydney Marathon, which is now
(25:44):
major and, you know, talk to girl Cassie and also
the guide do that without it being, um, something that's
cost prohibitive as well. So enabling that. So yeah, it's
not too bad at this stage. It's transport. Probably because
eventually we'd like to do more events, and getting the
athletes to the events is one of the things I'm
finding a little bit tricky, but we're working our way
around a few of those things and we hope to
(26:05):
get that sorted, but that takes money. We want to
have an event next year, um, where we sort of
open up an event at Vic Park that's got vision, vision,
families or anyone who wants to come out and.
S1 (26:15):
Learn.
S5 (26:16):
A bit more and that will cost a bit of money.
But in general, it's not too bad. It's quite a
low cost model, really. It's 100% volunteer run, both athletes
and guides.
S1 (26:24):
What about kind of interstate rivalry? Something like that happen
in the future?
S5 (26:29):
Funny enough, we had Achilles. Melbourne came over for the
Adelaide Marathon Festival. I hope.
S1 (26:33):
We beat.
S5 (26:34):
Them. Well, they've got about 50 guys and it was
an event thrown on to the deep end and Achilles.
We are actually in touch with all the other chapters
and we have a national meeting. And in fact we
actually sort of touch base with Achilles International as well occasionally. Um,
and we would like to have a national event, uh,
aiming for 26, probably, where all the chapters will get
together somewhere and do an event. That would be fantastic.
(26:56):
They are trying to grow it and making it even
more inclusive and social.
S1 (26:59):
And probably competitive in the sense that you're competing against yourself, uh,
particularly as the athlete who is blind or has low vision.
You're kind of trying to, uh, you know, do better
than you did last time rather than trying to you
trying to beat me sort of thing, which wouldn't be hard.
S6 (27:15):
Yeah. That's it. I mean, um, look, I probably don't
even compete against myself, really. I'm more of a go
with the flow at the moment, but yeah, no, I
like there's no, you know, like, this person ran quicker
than me or or any of that. Like it's just
a really supportive group, which is awesome.
S1 (27:31):
What about things like footwear? Because that's obviously important. Do
you go into that? Is that the person?
S5 (27:35):
Well, there's a story there, Peter, because, um, we actually
did have some of our athletes, uh, were coming out
to Warren and Ricky. Brand new shoes. All good to go.
But we did have, um, Cassie and another guy, Johnny,
who comes out and we've got a couple of podiatrists
that run with us. So they did note an issue
with the shoes. They were just runners that come and help.
And so both Cassie and Johnny have new shoes now, and, um,
(27:58):
we're actually going to work with, um, in Adelaide. There's
run DNA, and they've offered to put on a night
for us to come in so people can try on
a whole bunch of different shoes and.
S1 (28:06):
Oh, cool.
S5 (28:07):
Do some nutrition talk. And so might that be a night?
We need to lock that in. We've got quite a
few things we're aiming to do to make it a
bit more inclusive, I guess. Not necessarily runner centric, because
it's just as important to have good walking shoes if
you're walking.
S1 (28:21):
So, Cassie, you've never run better since you changed your shoes.
S6 (28:23):
I'm still missing my old shoes. I quite liked them. Um, but, uh, no,
I did take out my new shoes for a run
on Saturday. And, you know, they're good shoes, but I
still miss the old ones.
S1 (28:34):
It's a bit like slapping a chair so much more
comfortable than sitting properly, isn't it? I don't know why
it's not too bad for you. Oh. That's terrific. Well,
if people do want to find out more, uh, what's
what's the best way to do it? Justine?
S5 (28:47):
Uh, yeah. You can email us at, um, Adelaide, Australia.
We've also got the website if you just Google Achilles
Australia and there is a tab in there for Adelaide. Um,
and you can follow us on our socials. So we're
on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
S1 (29:05):
Alright. Just before you go, Cathy, any news on your app?
S6 (29:07):
Uh, nothing I can reveal yet, but uh, stay tuned. When, uh,
later this year, I'll, um. Yeah. Have some exciting news.
S1 (29:16):
Well, you dub Justine in, so maybe next time Justine
will dob you in. How's that?
S5 (29:20):
Absolutely.
S1 (29:24):
Just Shasta Mcnasty. Great to catch up. Well done and
we'll certainly keep in touch. We'll put those details up
on our show notes. If people have missed it or
if they have a bit of difficulty, they can always
get in touch. But it sounds like a most worthwhile
thing and certainly some big plans, which is very exciting
as well. So keep running and keep walking and keep
enjoying it.
S7 (29:41):
Thank you. Thanks, Greta. That was thanks for having us.
S1 (29:43):
Justin Crawford, who heads up Achilles here in Adelaide, and
also Cassie Haines, who's one of their very important members
of staff. Like it's a bit of fun that goes
on as well. On 1190 7 a.m. in Adelaide on
VA radio, digital and through the TuneIn radio app. This
is Poker Point. Thanks for joining us today. What's been
(30:04):
really positive news for Sandra, particularly for people with some
sleep disorders? Let's find out about it with the CEO
for Sleep Health Foundation, doctor Maura. Maura, lovely to catch
up with you again. We're having a quick chat before
coming to air, and we spoke the first time probably
30 years ago, so neither of us sound any different.
S8 (30:23):
Hi, Oh, Peter, you're so nice. So nice to reconnect
with you. Especially over another sleep issue, a different one.
S1 (30:28):
Yes, indeed. That's us about this. I guess there'd be
people that would be using this medication, but not for
sleep purposes at this stage.
S8 (30:37):
That's right. Well, yeah, exactly. It was only a recent announcement,
but people have been using this particular medication for many years.
I don't know, I'm not connected with the drug company itself,
but I would say many decades perhaps, but it's been
used for type two diabetes very widely and obesity. And
now it's actually just in I think, you know, very, very,
very recently, like in the weeks ago, that the TGA
(31:00):
made an announcement that it's now got an indication to
be prescribed for people who have moderate to severe obstructive
sleep apnea, which we can talk about what that actually
is and obesity as well, and what and obesity is
defined as having a BMI of over 30 and BMI
(31:21):
usually like that? Um, I know for women, I don't
know the men's one, but I know for women because
I keep an eye on, you know, my health and
my weight. That it's between 20 and 25 is a
is a expected or normal recommended BMI, which is the
body mass index. And it's really just a meter square.
It's just a fraction of looking at your weight in
kilograms divided by your height in meters squared. So you
(31:46):
can imagine if you were so, you know, 60kg and
you were 100cm, it was, you know, 60kg divided by,
you know, what would you know, someone's 100m. I've messed
that up. But, you know, like instead of like 174cm.
So that's, you know, 1.7m² is how I work out
my BMI.
S1 (32:04):
Okay. And if it's above a certain number, then, uh, that, uh,
sort of clinically, uh, pronounces you as, uh, being obese.
S8 (32:11):
That's right above them.
S1 (32:13):
What about the sleep condition, Marcus? I guess all sleep
conditions are not created equal, are they?
S8 (32:18):
That's right. Exactly. And so this is what we're talking
about with this condition. It's really reasonably common. Um, prevalence.
It sort of differs depending on age and gender and
the severity, etc.. But at least 10% of Australians have
obstructive sleep apnea. And we think that 80% might be undiagnosed.
So it's very, very common. And sleep apnea, as the
(32:38):
word apnea is a Latin word for absence of breathing.
And so a lot of people would have heard of
sleep apnea these days. And knowing that people do stop
breathing for short periods of time in their sleep. And
when it happens periodically, lots of times throughout the night,
like even, you know, moderate to severe moderate is, say,
15 times or so plus per hour that it's happening
(33:00):
and severe is say above, above 30 times per hour
that it's happening. So imagine people are stopping breathing for, say,
10s or even up to a minute or really varied
periods of time and then start to breathe again. And
they have that chortling, kind of choking sound as they
start to breathe again, and then they wake up a
(33:20):
little bit. It's sort of a they might not be
aware they're awake. They're sort of a micro arousal. But
it happens happening all the time. Your sleep disturbance is
really is a lot. And then so your sleep quality
is really impaired. And you're less likely to go through
the normal trajectory of, you know, X amount of deep
sleep and X amount of core sleep and lots of
(33:41):
dreaming sleep, all that really good quality sleep. All the
different stages are really markedly disrupted and impaired. When someone
has moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea.
S1 (33:53):
I guess their quote unquote side effects of it is
the cumulative impact that it has.
S8 (33:57):
Yeah. That's right. People often don't know they've got it
unless they've got someone who's witnessed their apnea or they've
been told they're a really loud snorer, because most people
who have it are allowed snorer. But it's the it's
the cumulative. They actually just they find out that they think, gee,
I'm sleepy. They have this what we call EDS like
excessive daytime sleepiness and they have unintentional naps. They find
(34:20):
that their quality of life is impaired. So sort of
be distressed by all that and known kind of marked
impairments in their social and or occupational functioning that you're
falling asleep at inopportune times. You might be feeling pretty grumpy,
pretty low mood too. A lot of associated with depression
and a morning headache. It's a it's a classic thing.
(34:40):
It's someone listening to this. If they're a snorer and
they're sort of sleepy during the day, tend to be overweight,
but not always. And then that morning headache, you know,
there's a these are the classic telltale signs of, of
sleep apnea, whether it's known or unknown.
S1 (34:55):
So how effective is the treatment then? I know it's
only just come onto the PBS, but has it been
trialled in other areas and and been proven to be
quite successful.
S8 (35:05):
Yeah. So it's just one thing about the PBS is because, um,
it should one day it might get onto the PBS,
but at the moment.
S1 (35:11):
Also the TGA.
S8 (35:12):
Have said, yeah, so it's still it's you can the
doctors are there to now prescribe it for that cause
rather than an off label. You know, it's sort of
a different type of use. But yeah. But PBS, which
will be making it cheaper one day, will be a
thing in the, in the future. But and then because
at the moment it's quite expensive. But we'll get on
to that. I think your question was is how effective it. Yeah.
(35:32):
And so at the moment it's the clinical trials that
I've read about and really good quality sleep physician like
people who are sort of founders and leaders in our
field have been involved in this in the trials. I've
been mostly out of Sydney, out of the Woolcock Institute
of Medical Research, and they found they were really impressed
with that. They thought that they could see really strong
(35:53):
effects of people losing weight via this drug. That's what
the whole idea of mounjaro is. The mechanism of action
is that it suppresses people's appetite, therefore, and increase changes
their metabolism, and they lose weight over time, but only
on the, you know, under the guidance of their doctor
and being checked and making sure they make changes to
(36:14):
their Exercise and their food as well. That's the ideal.
But these people yeah, they're finding that there was a
really incredible changes to people's sleep apnea once the weight
was off. That's because there's a lot of this. Often there's, um,
excessive weight around the neck and the tongue. So the
airway is narrowed and it's prone to collapsing during sleep.
(36:34):
So yeah. And also so sometimes it's abdominal weight too,
like this big bit of a fat tummy. So you know,
a bit of a big tummy then. Especially when you're
lying down the tummy and the there's pressure on the
chest reduces the ability of the lungs to expand and contract.
So the doctors have said it was a they were
pretty convinced that it's a significant finding and many, many
trials here in overseas that people will lose weight. And
(36:58):
therefore maybe that's the that's the treatment for their sleep apnea.
But traditionally the treatment has been there's lots of other
treatments still for sleep apnea. And the biggest one is CPAp. Mhm.
You know the continuous positive airway pressure mask and attach
to a machine. and that's very, very effective. It's been
around a long time. The trouble is there's about 50%
(37:21):
of people. It sounds it's pretty high. Do struggle with it.
A lot of people. It's a duck to water. They
just they get the machine and they love it. And
they you know, they use it and they have really
good outcomes, including losing weight actually, because they're starting to
sleep better and they've got more energy and they're not
as depressed and they're so, so sort of sleep apnea
in general. So it's got to be treated. So whether
(37:43):
you do your CPAp machine or you lose weight or
you have surgery or you use a what we call
a mandibular advancement device, like a splint in your mouth,
it brings your jaw, your mandible, it brings your jaw forward.
And by using that at night, it opens the airway
that way. So there's there's all the other thing too,
is a positional device where you can actually wear something
(38:06):
around your chest, and it beeps when you're on your
back and it wakes you up so it keeps you
on your side. We used to have back in the day.
Back in the day when I was speaking to you
in the 90s about my, the, the sleep stuff, then
people would sleep apnea. We would say we're a t
shirt or pajama top to bed. And so a tennis
ball into the back of it.
S9 (38:26):
I remember that. Yeah.
S8 (38:28):
So nowadays you can still do the tennis ball of course,
but you can actually have a like an electronic kind
of band and that can keep you off your back.
S9 (38:36):
I'd say 2025, isn't it?
S8 (38:37):
Yeah, exactly. But so there's lots there. There's so much
to talk about really that that the, the drug is,
is an exciting uh I get talked I've been talking
a lot about it like it was a big media
frenzy at the time. Like I can go when the
press release came out and I'm positive about it. Like
I think, wow, this is great. I didn't think I'd
see in my lifetime a drug that was actually for
(39:00):
sleep apnea indicated for sleep apnea for those that are
obese as well. But it's I've got to say, it's
not going to be any kind of magical thing for
everyone because there's still some people who have sleep apnea
who aren't obese. It's nothing to do with their weight.
There's this thin they're thin people, and they just have
this the structure of their draw and their airway and
(39:21):
their nose and all sorts of blockages there that that's
causing the sleep apnea. And there's also plenty of people
who won't be able to afford it because it's about,
you know, $80, $80 a week or something like it's. Yeah.
So that's a lot of money for a lot of people. There's,
there's plenty of people who spend, you know, like their
school fees are less than that and stuff. You know,
there's not a big deal for some households, but we
(39:43):
know that that's a very big deal for a lot
of people, especially if it's more than one who, you know,
going to do it. So it's really for those people
who can't lose weight in any other way, because some
a lot of people can lose weight, like maybe, you know, ten,
20 kilos with just, you know, changing their mindset and
changing their what they eat and exercising more. But but
(40:06):
we all know it's a very hard thing to do
losing even 10 to 20kg, let alone more. And a
lot of people who have got this sort of quite
morbidly obese, they've got really severe, you know, at least
moderate to severe sleep apnea. It's a really tricky situation
to get that person who's already very tired. They're really
tired and sleepy. They're often not working. They haven't you know,
(40:28):
they have poor quality of life. Not a lot of energy,
not a lot of money. It's let's face all that
sort of stuff. That's really hard to tell them to
let go and lose 40 kilos, like it just hasn't
been able to work. Whereas that cohort of people and
those that are, you know, maybe even even ten, 20
kilos overweight and employed, it's not just it's a whole
range of people out there. It's it's all types that
(40:50):
it's affecting. That's exciting because they have a really good
chance of getting some good support and, you know, medically indicated, safe, effective.
You know, if they're monitored, they can lose the weight
and it can be life changing. It will be life
changing for some people.
S1 (41:05):
But we're almost out of time. What about in terms
of the the potential PBS. Is that something you can
comment on, or is that kind of, uh, above your
pay grade?
S9 (41:14):
Yeah.
S8 (41:15):
Definitely above my pay grade. But I would be, I'd
imagine I can imagine that we'd be in a position
at the sleep Healthier nation to be part of those discussions.
And I think I'd. Yeah, I can't speak for my
board or my I would imagine we would be, um,
be positively sort of suggesting that that's something we'd, we'd
like to see for those people who can't afford it otherwise,
(41:37):
that's for sure. Maybe some means tested perhaps, or something
like that, that we we put it onto the PBS
and but also there's, there's plenty of people who can
lose weight, um, without this drug. And there's plenty of
people who CPAp and the splint and or surgery. There's
other options that are really work perfectly well for other
people as well. So it's it's not this cure all thing.
(41:57):
And it's just it depends on just a specific type
of person it'll be great for.
S1 (42:01):
That's a great message, Maura. I guess if people wanted
to find out more, I give you a website in
a second and put that up with our show notes
as well. But obviously if you've got a good relationship
in particular with the GP, a good thing to be discussing.
S8 (42:11):
Yes, please, absolutely talk to your GP. Your GP is
in a really good position. They'll know. They'll know all
about this. They've been they've been hearing about it for
for months that it's coming. It's overseas. It's been indicated
overseas for a while now. So to say they know
all about it, talk to them for sure. Look at
the Sleep Health Foundation website looking up. You know, all
the information about sleep apnea and all the other stuff
(42:32):
while you're they've got 100 fact sheets on a range
of things. Alright.
S1 (42:35):
We'll put those details up with our show notes. As
I say, more great to catch up over 30 years
before we speak again.
S8 (42:42):
Thank you for the opportunity. Really nice to talk to you, Peter.
S1 (42:44):
Thank you. In 30 years time, that could be an
interesting conversation.
S8 (42:49):
We might both.
S5 (42:50):
Be in a.
S8 (42:51):
Wooden box of some sort.
S1 (42:53):
Okay, well, still, you still be worth talking tomorrow. That's.
The doctor. Took a bit of fun there, but also
a very serious topic. And if you want more details, uh,
consult our show notes. And as always, if you have
any difficulties consulting or accessing those show notes. Give us
a call here at the radio station 130847466.
S10 (43:14):
So you say it quickly. It sort of doesn't mean much.
They're hoping that, well, why not? The government of the
federal government provide the service anyway, in particular looking to
go nuclear. Look, that's quite good. Sometimes it's almost like
being next to the radio station. Yeah, it's an interesting one.
S1 (43:32):
That's the very familiar sound of Philip Van Peer, who's
the co-founder and co-presenter for Focal Point. And along with
Wendy MacDougall, being part of the program for a long,
long time. Phil, welcome. Good to have you back with us. Yes.
S10 (43:44):
Thank you, Peter, and I must apologize. I wasn't well
and wasn't able to participate in last month's program, but
I'm happy to be back now.
S1 (43:52):
Yes, it's certainly sounding sprightly as always. Phil, of course,
the last or since the last time we spoke, we, uh,
lost our great friend, Wendy McDougall. Um, that's, you know,
was obviously a bit of a bit of a shock.
I mean, we knew that when he wasn't in the
greatest of health, but, uh, you know, when that final
sort of, uh, curtain is drawn, it's a bit of
(44:13):
a bit of a shock.
S10 (44:14):
It certainly is. Uh, Peter and, uh, you know, there
are a lot of, um, memories of that we can
sort of speak of, but there are two in particular
that I want to, um, raise. And one of them
was that, um, when I started at Townsend, one of
the things that I had to learn very quickly, only
because it was part and parcel of everyday life at Townsend,
(44:37):
and that was, uh, to sing Grace. And it was
thank you to the world. So sweet. And of course,
the person that the end of the dining room where
the piano was, who was actually playing it for us,
was Wendy MacDougall. And so every time, um, we had
a meal and we had to do it twice on
(44:58):
that meal, it was before and after the meal, if
you remember Peter painter, and we'd stand there with our
hands together and waiting quietly until the house mother said,
thank you, Wendy. And then she played the first chord
and we started to sing it.
S1 (45:14):
Okay. I mean, I vaguely remember it. Your memory for
stuff like that is much better than mine. So you're
saying for every meal? Twice. Twice. At each meal? Yes.
S10 (45:24):
So three times a day? Yeah. Twice every meal we
had to do. Thank you for the world. So sweet.
And I. I had to learn it very quickly because, uh,
now if I, I, I didn't do it too well, I,
I got into a bit of trouble. But anyway, we
got there in the end, and, uh, when Wendy left,
somebody else took over. But Wendy was a, um, was
(45:45):
a champion at it, and she was good.
S1 (45:47):
I wonder how Wendy got the original gig, and I guess, yeah.
Kind of testament to her what.
S10 (45:53):
I've been wanting. Yeah, it's something I've been wondering, too, because,
I mean, uh, she was, um, lucky enough to actually
get it, and, uh, she was probably one of the, uh,
people who, uh, stepped up to the mark and actually
did a wonderful job of it. They obviously saw her
as being able to do the job.
S1 (46:12):
Yeah. Well, I mean, and certainly, as you said, uh,
that thank you. Wendy, when everyone was quiet enough for
it to start, is something that I do remember very,
very vividly that, uh, until. Thank you. Wendy came about.
We didn't start to play or we didn't start to play.
We didn't start to sing and we didn't eat.
S10 (46:30):
No, I think that's exactly right. And of course, the
other memory I have and one of I think that
you will remember, is that, uh, there was a group
that was formed at Townsend, uh, called the sunsets. And
of course, Wendy plays the major part in that because
he plays the piano while Tom McMahon was on drums. And, uh,
(46:51):
they produced a number of, um, songs, a couple of
songs and Beatles songs and any other songs they could
come up with a Cliff Richard one won and it
turns out that they actually made a record. Now, it
might not have been on one of the radio station's
top 40 charts, but it was certainly on our top 40. Yeah. Um, and, uh,
(47:11):
it was a double sided one side with the seekers number,
and the other side was the Cliff Richard number.
S1 (47:17):
Can you remember the songs?
S10 (47:19):
Yes, I can. Um, I could easily by Cliff Richard. Yeah.
And the other ones. I'll never find another you by
the by the seekers.
S1 (47:27):
That's quite something, isn't it? I mean, we're talking back. What,
the 60s, I guess we're talking back in the 60s for, however.
And whoever got it together for a group of musicians
to put out a record. The old vinyl 45. That's
quite an achievement.
S10 (47:43):
It was actually. And I don't know anybody else who
has ever done it. Um, at Townsend, I guess that, uh,
they were the ones that sort of, uh, were seen
by somebody who owned the recording studio and decided to
take them in and, uh, do a recording of them.
S1 (48:01):
Yeah, certainly. Uh, wonderful memories of Townsend. And, of course,
Wendy left Townsend and then went to, uh, mainstream school,
went to Wofford College for a couple of years, and
then on to the Music Conservatorium, which I guess is
very apt because a Wendy loved the music, but B
when he was also very good at it.
S10 (48:18):
Yeah, she was actually part of that, um, music group
that I'm just trying to think of what it was, um,
known as, and she did a couple of productions with them. Mhm. Um,
and I think one of them was um. Oh, I
can't remember now, but I know that there were a
number of productions and they were, they were performed at the, uh,
the Union Hall, the University of Adelaide's Union Hall. And
(48:41):
of course, along with the orchestra, she was the pianist,
and she did a wonderful job of that.
S1 (48:46):
I think people like her Vicki Cousins, our own Vicki
Cousins might have also been involved with that group.
S10 (48:51):
Uh, yeah. I'm not sure. I think that I know
Adrian was involved in it.
S1 (48:56):
And, uh, actually.
S10 (48:57):
When.
S1 (48:57):
You talk about the Barry, the Barry Clark Singers? Yes,
the Barry Clark Singers. Yeah.
S10 (49:01):
Yes. Yes. Yeah yeah yeah yeah, she was very much
a part of that. And that was uh, that was a,
a a milestone for her. And she enjoyed playing music.
She enjoyed music very much. And, uh, of course you
played an interview earlier on regarding, uh, her going to
(49:22):
see the Beatles. Yeah. We all went along with that, uh, that.
I would have loved that.
S1 (49:26):
Yeah. That's a great memory. Yeah. And fill in more later. Yes.
Of course, with the, uh, well beyond blindness or blind
welfare as it was then that a, a music group
that went for quite some time and often, uh, went
and played at, uh, aged care facilities or indeed at
the center at uh, plays as well to sort of
entertain the members.
S10 (49:44):
Yeah, she did a lot of that. And, uh, she
also had a friend and a couple of times blind welfare,
as it was known then, and beyond blindness as we
know it now, would often have a Friday night concert. And, uh,
her and her friend would come out and belt out
a few tunes on the piano. They could make those
pianos sing. They really did a good job of that.
S1 (50:04):
You know, the other thing about Winnie that was most,
most talented was you could be singing a song, or
we could be trying to sing a song, and she
could do kind of the harmony, which is a skill
in itself. And we aren't very good at holding notes,
but when you could really make that harmony come out
so wonderfully well, which is a real skill.
S10 (50:22):
Oh, that is definitely a skill in itself. And and
you're right, she could she could harmonize really beautifully. And
it's a credit to her, um, the way she actually
did it. And, uh, I think she took some notes
from the Beatles from that too, I think, uh, which, uh. Yeah. Yeah.
In listening to them, she probably took, um, uh, some
(50:44):
kudos from that and, and and made it her own
as far as, uh, her, um, ability to harmonize. And
I thought that that was really good. And just one
other thing that I've got to mention is that she
was really into sports. She would often have a little
radio around. It didn't matter where it was, what she
was doing, how much of a job that she had
(51:07):
to do. Get a little radio tuned into the sports.
I know when we were doing our program in the
early days, uh, we would often sort of have to
wait a few seconds for the call because she was
listening in to find out what the results were. Um,
so she. No, she was very much into sport. And,
you know, whether it was cricket, whether it was rugby league,
(51:27):
whether it was AFL, and she was a crows supporter too,
I believe so, yeah.
S1 (51:33):
Crows and South Australia and Phil were very much a reader.
Love bro. Love reading.
S10 (51:38):
Oh yes. Oh yes. No. She she was an avid reader.
She would um, often um, contact the library about various
books or have, uh, various books sent to her. You know,
I think that that was probably one of her pastimes.
If she wasn't doing anything, she'd be reading, and she'd
read lots and lots of books. And I think, you know,
(52:00):
the library couldn't keep up with her at one stage.
I think that that was the situation because she was
reading so fast.
S1 (52:07):
A voracious reader. I feel I was thinking about this
earlier today. Remember back in the day, this is probably
before sort of computers, and certainly the smartphones are about
remember the guy that sort of set up that, um,
I think it was called iPhone, where you could send
emails via the phone. Well, Wendy sort of took that
up as something she was really passionate about. And I
think the email address that she took with her through
(52:29):
life actually started way back when that iPhone, uh, system
started up.
S10 (52:34):
And I remember her sort of saying, no, she'll never
take the computer on. She didn't think that she could,
but when it sort of came to doing it, she
now she wouldn't let go of it.
S1 (52:44):
Yeah. You know, really.
S10 (52:46):
It was part of.
S1 (52:47):
Her. Yeah. A really powerful point. I remember Wendy making when,
you know, we got sort of computers Peterson emails up
and running and she said, look, this is so good.
Now that I can email a radio station, a television station,
a company, and say, this isn't right or this is
not good, and I could do that on my own.
You know, I can independently complain about something or say
(53:08):
something positive, and I don't need someone to write a
letter for me or post a letter for me, which
I thought was a really wonderful way to kind of
express how technology can really be used to advantage someone.
S10 (53:19):
Yeah. And I believe that she actually emailed, um, a
couple of times, uh, about a few things, and her
name sort of like came up, so. Yeah.
S1 (53:29):
Yeah, that's a great point. I thought it was a
great way to kind of show that. I feel just
before we go. And thank you for that, I'm sure that, uh,
it's not a, uh, a brilliant some of those wonderful memories,
particularly for some of the old scholars, if they can
remember those days, uh, just quickly since the last time
we spoke, of course, we had the landslide election of
the Labour government. Any kind of thoughts? Uh, you know,
(53:50):
it was a bit of a shock to everyone, I think.
S10 (53:52):
Uh, I think it was, um. As a matter of fact, um,
I know that, uh, poor old Anthony Green's computer went
to meltdown at one stage because I think the result
was getting very much towards a one way result. Um,
and it's interesting because not only had, um, Peter Dutton's
party lost, he lost his seat as well. So, you know,
(54:16):
it was oh, it was an incredible situation. And there
was one particular time when on his computer, he had
a line of, um, of, uh, across the screen with
the colours of the, um, uh, the particular party. So
you can actually see, uh, how, um, the swings went
above the line as to how far they've swung towards them.
(54:37):
And the Liberal Party was so far down, I thought
this thing was upside down, literally. I, I couldn't imagine
it being that much.
S1 (54:46):
Yeah. And just quickly. I know you like listening and
watching Parliament. It'll be interesting when they resume later in
July with 94 people on one side. And what is it,
43 on the other?
S10 (54:57):
Yes. It'll be interesting to see how the noise goes,
which whether the, um, the Labor Party will, will, uh,
need to sort of, um, raise their voice against the, um, uh,
the Liberal Party because there's not that many of them.
S1 (55:12):
Well, well, we'll stand by for more. Feel good to
catch up.
S10 (55:15):
Yeah, it's been good. Thanks for that, Peter.
S1 (55:17):
That's it for their co-founder, co-presenter, Folk Point. And a lovely,
lovely tribute there to the late, wonderful Wendy McDougall. Our
audio described show of the week. It's coming up this
Saturday evening. 830 SBS Movie Channel. Only the brave. This
features the Granite Mountain Hotshots who risked their lives and
(55:40):
limbs fighting fires, helping others and building a great brotherhood
amongst themselves. It's rated M them. Only the brave. This
Sunday evening, SBS Movie Channel with audio description sounds certainly
like worth checking out. Also pleased to note or please
note it is a true story. So birthdays before we go.
(56:05):
Brendan Donohue having a birthday. What a tremendous advocate, particularly
in Queensland all over Australia's. Brendan. Brendan, a very big
happy birthday to you. Keep up your fine work Sydney.
We're having a birthday. Champion gold bowler Gemma Sydney having
a birthday. No relation over in Perth. Doing great work
for Australia Radio in Perth. Happy birthday to you Gemma
(56:26):
and Luis having a birthday, a fine technologist and also advocate.
Happy birthday to you Louise. That's it for the program.
Thank you, Sam Rickard for your help. Thank you, Pam
Green for yours. Reminding you that Focal Point is available
on that favourite podcast platform. If you like the show,
please tell a friend we'd love you to do that.
(56:49):
On behalf of Philip Napier, this is Peter Greco saying,
be kind to yourselves, be thoughtful and look out for
others all being well. Focal point back at the same time.
Next week on Vision Australia Radio and the Reading Radio Network.
This is focal point.
Good evening and welcome to Focal Point here on this
Australia Radio 1190 7 a.m. Adelaide, online at via radio
Dot via Radio Digital Navigator Darwin to the Community Radio
Plus app. Look for Vision Australia, Radio Adelaide and the
Reading Radio Network. Peter Greco on behalf of Phillip Napier,
saying thank you so much for your company. This program
(00:37):
coming to you from Garden Land, come to you very,
very shortly. We'll meet Edward Delgado, who started losing his
sight at 60 and started learning computers. Will find out
about that. We'll catch up with Jessica Crawford and also
Cathy Haines. Talk about the Achilles Runners Club. They've come
to Adelaide and a chance for you to get involved
(00:57):
as high level or low level as you'd like. Then
we'll catch up with Doctor Marie Jung from the Sleep
Health Foundation. Talk about a drug that has now been
made available for more sleep issues. We'll chat tomorrow about
that and Phil Vanderpool will join us. Co-Founder and co-presenter
of Focalpoint. Phil will have a chance to pay tribute
to the late Wendy McDougall also will get Phil's views
(01:20):
regarding the federal election. If you're listening through 1190 7 a.m.
in Adelaide at 8:00 for your listening pleasure, Lizzie and
Sam are here with Studio one. Let's find out what's
on studio one.
S2 (01:33):
We ask, is ignorance bliss or is it simply another
form of discrimination? We look at some of the times
when people have been singled out and discriminated against, often
for some of the most innocent of reasons.
S3 (01:45):
Join us at 8:00 for studio one.
S1 (01:48):
I'd like to introduce you to Edward Delgado. We call
him Eddie because he's our friend Eddie. Welcome. Thanks so
much for your time. Really appreciate you speaking to us.
S4 (01:57):
Thank you very much for your attention to me.
S1 (02:00):
Eddie. You started to lose your sight at about the
age of 60?
S4 (02:04):
That's correct.
S1 (02:05):
Tell us what happened.
S4 (02:07):
Well, I had an operation for a cataract in my
left eye by a doctor, Professor Fred Hollows. And but
he didn't didn't do the operation himself. It was one
of his assistants. And, um, unfortunately, the operation went bad
(02:33):
because I developed which is called a spike or a
sudden glaucoma, which is a sudden and very, very, very
elevated pressure of the, um, internal fluid of the eye,
which can cause a lot of damage. And, and practically
(02:54):
it can do it from one day to the other.
And I was told after the operation if I Experience
pain or loss of vision. Sudden loss of vision. To
contact them and I, which I did. That was in there,
if I remember rightly on a Wednesday and they couldn't
see me until Saturday morning. And by then it was
(03:19):
too late and I was practically lost all the vision
in my left eye, which was my good eye.
S1 (03:27):
And I'd imagine that was a fairly unusual occurrence that
because a lot of cataract operations go very smoothly.
S4 (03:33):
Well, I understand it's a pretty unusual occurrence after that. Um,
Professor Horrocks declared me, um, legally blind and put me
under the care of, um, then the Royal Blind Society.
And I decided to go to a different path to retrain.
(03:57):
And I choose computers. And at that time, in 1992,
it was very much in the in the infancy. I
never touched a computer before in my life, and that
was a very good experience because I learned from from
the basics, from those. And after that, it was a
(04:19):
window 3.1, which is a long time ago, and I
like it, I like it. And and after receiving basic
training from the Royal Society, I went to the staff
and I got a call for three years and I
(04:40):
learned all the principles of micro computing and including including
touch type, which is I'm glad I did it because
in those days I could see some. I have some
vision in my right eye I because in that I,
(05:01):
I had a which acute myopia and I had which
is called macular degeneration. Myopic macular degeneration not age related.
S1 (05:15):
What about your.
S4 (05:16):
Attitude?
S1 (05:17):
Eddie, what made your attitude be so that a you
wanted to learn computers and b then do a TAFE
course about it? What what what made you think like that?
S4 (05:26):
I enjoyed all that. I well, all my life I've been,
I've been very keen on on gadgets and electronics and
I never developed any. I was, I was a musician
in my country. I played there in the local symphony orchestra.
And when I come to Australia in 1972, I wanted
(05:49):
to be good enough to, um, join the the Sydney
Symphony Orchestra. That's what I wanted. But Unfortunately, I was
too old then. I was in my mid 30s, so
it was. It was a lot of competition and younger
(06:09):
people and um, I never achieved that goal, but I
played in most of the um, Symphony orchestra, Amateur Symphony
Orchestra in Sydney.
S1 (06:21):
So what instrument did you play? Eddie?
S4 (06:23):
The double bass. The big fiddle.
S1 (06:28):
That's a pretty cool instrument, isn't it?
S4 (06:30):
Yes.
S1 (06:31):
I knew the cool dudes play the double bass.
S4 (06:35):
Um.
S1 (06:37):
Yeah.
S4 (06:37):
And, um, I played for many years in the in
the Northern Chamber Orchestra, which is based in mainly in
the Northern Beaches. And, um, that was a very good
experience because it was a very good orchestra, had very
good standards, and the majority was was young people, and
(06:58):
I was double the age of most of the the performers.
And they treat me very well.
S1 (07:06):
And they probably kept you young and you probably kept
them wiser.
S4 (07:11):
Absolutely, absolutely. I had a very good time there. It's
been one of the happiest experiences of my life.
S1 (07:22):
Eddie, what about.
S4 (07:23):
And.
S1 (07:23):
What about learning computers? And particularly I believe you also
enjoy using voice activated technology as well.
S4 (07:31):
Yes. Yes, absolutely. After I learned computers, I. Well, I
get acquainted because in 1996, after developing certain skills, I
got a job in, in in Telstra in the call
centre in Darling Harbour. That was it was a good
(07:56):
experience for me because he was a very good environment,
and that one has been the best job I ever
had in my life. And, um, well, I got the
job thanks to Vision Australia or Royal Society was then. Yeah,
they got me that job. And, um, with assistance, of course.
(08:20):
And I had to use, um, zoom, zoom text. No,
it wasn't zoom text in those days. It was a
it was a different I can't remember now. It was
a different, uh, adaptive technology, but it needed to magnify
the screen of the computer for me to use it.
(08:42):
But in those days, I had enough vision to use
one line at the time. Do you understand?
S1 (08:50):
Yep, yep.
S4 (08:51):
Mind if I11 line at a time of the screen.
And that's why I manage to to perform my my duties.
You have to.
S1 (09:00):
Have a lot of you have to have a lot
of patience for that, wouldn't you, Eddie?
S4 (09:03):
Oh, yes. Um, and and I enjoy that because, um,
I also use Jos, and now I've been using zoom
from for a long number of years, and I use
now I use zoom text and magnify reader.
S1 (09:21):
And I believe you also.
S4 (09:22):
Use a computer.
S1 (09:24):
I believe you also use voiceover.
S4 (09:26):
Oh, yes. Um, eventually I got acquainted through my through
my son. I got acquainted with the with the iPhones,
and they showed me the phone and they, they thought
that it couldn't be able to use it. But by
using VoiceOver, I learned to navigate and got no problem.
(09:52):
Now I use my iPhone and I reckon she is
my best friend.
S1 (10:00):
Now I believe you read books, for example with your iPhone.
S4 (10:03):
Oh yes, I have read more books. Audio books from
the Vision Australia library. I have read more audiobooks in
my life that I read print books, and I was
a very good reader because I lost my, uh, before
I lost my sight. And the last book I read
(10:26):
in 1997 was a book that my sister gave me.
It was seven anos de Soledad 100 Years of Solitude
by Gabriel Garcia marquez in Spanish. And I remember I
managed to read the last page of that book with
(10:47):
a magnifying glass.
S1 (10:49):
A lot of patience about you, Eddie. Hey, Eddie. So. Oh, yeah.
At the age of 60, you've lost a lot of
your sight. You've had to kind of relearn a lot
of skills. Learned the computer virtually from scratch. What would
you say to people who think, oh, I'm too old
to learn new tricks? That's not really for me. What
would you say to them?
S4 (11:08):
I was an old dog. New tricks. And what I said,
I always say to all old people. Now, at the moment,
I'm 96 years old. And technology.
S1 (11:24):
Eddie, it's.
S4 (11:25):
Always been very curious about technology. I always tried to.
To learn everything. The latest development at the moment, I
got Gemini. Google Gemini on my phone, and I got, um,
Microsoft Copilot. And I got a lot of fun having
(11:46):
a conversation. And having an argument with copilot.
S1 (11:55):
Pick up.
S4 (11:55):
Pick up.
S1 (11:56):
Pick fights. You can win. Hey, Eddie, on a serious note,
I believe you've got granddaughters. They must think grandpa's pretty cool,
don't they?
S4 (12:04):
Oh, the girls have been very helpful to me because
young kids from the beginning, they have accumulated me to
stimulate my curiosity and show me new things, new tricks.
And with my iPhone particularly, and, um, with my computer,
(12:27):
although I use a computer and a windows computer and
they all use Apple. Apple, in any case, they always
been next to me helping me in that regard.
S1 (12:42):
Oh, I can understand why they'd want to be hanging
around you. Eddie, you sound like you'd be great.
S4 (12:46):
Well, they love me.
S1 (12:48):
I can believe that. Eddie, you're a bit of a
fan of Vision Australia radio, too, I believe.
S4 (12:53):
Absolutely, yes.
S1 (12:56):
Yeah. Uh, well, it's good to have you as part
of the family now. Not only do you listen to us,
but you also speak to us. And people can hear
you on the radio.
S4 (13:06):
Well, like I mentioned to you, I've been having a
Vision Australia client for a long time. For many, many years.
And since it was, um, Royal Blind Society in Enfield,
I used to go there and then and the, the
people I remember the, the first trainer that I had,
(13:28):
it was a lady called Mary and she was blind,
and she was my inspiration because she had no vision.
And she she described me everything that she was doing.
And I said, if she can do it, I can
do it too.
S1 (13:44):
Yeah.
S4 (13:45):
And the other one, the other one I knew there
he was there with Woodbridge.
S1 (13:50):
He must have been a bit younger then. I reckon
he's pretty old now.
S4 (13:57):
Yeah.
S1 (13:58):
And that's fantastic. Well, I think again, that's such an
important lesson that you learn from someone who's been through
similar things. And when you see what they can do
and they can inspire you, it gives you that bit
of confidence. And you're now doing that to other people.
S4 (14:13):
Yeah, I, I've had a few jobs that I got
him through Vision Australia and also with some vision impaired people,
and we had a very good comradery, whatever the word
is camaraderie. Yeah, I said it right.
S1 (14:35):
I Eddie, we're out of time. But it's been an
absolute joy talking to you. Thank you. Well, thank you
so much for getting in touch with us and telling
us a little bit about you and the fact that
Now we've learned a little bit more about, uh, what
makes you tick and also giving us a lot of
inspiration to try new things. Don't be afraid to try
new things.
S4 (14:54):
I thank you for for for your interest. And on
my person.
S1 (14:59):
Eddie Delgado there lost his sight at 60. Started learning computers, technology.
What an inspiration. What a wonderful role model. Well, it's
really good news that Achilles Running Club is coming to Adelaide.
Let's chat a bit about it with, uh, the person
who brought to Adelaide, apparently Justine Crawford. Justine, great to
(15:21):
meet you. And thanks for your time.
S5 (15:22):
Nice to speak to you, Peter.
S1 (15:24):
And Cathy Haines is with us, who's, of course, the
award winning app developer. Cathy, great to have you with
us as well.
S6 (15:30):
Well, thanks for having me on.
S1 (15:31):
Yeah. Well, Justine, you bought this Adelaide, is that right?
Have we got that information correct?
S5 (15:35):
No. That's correct.
S1 (15:36):
Tell us a bit about how and why.
S5 (15:39):
Uh, yeah, actually, I saw Achilles, um, Melbourne in operation, uh,
running around the town a few years ago and was
just intrigued. And it reached out to Achilles Sydney, who
was sort of the tentative head office for Australia, I guess,
to see how I could volunteer in Adelaide, only to
discover there was not a chapter here. So I decided
that South Australia needs the same opportunities. And so I
(16:02):
just said about what I needed to do to get
it happening here, which has been fantastic.
S1 (16:06):
Maybe we should go back a step. I mean, I'm
sure I've certainly spoken to some of the interstate groups before,
but for those who might not be aware, who or
what is Achilles?
S5 (16:15):
Yeah. Achilles is an organisation where we bring together athletes
with vision impairment and trained volunteer guides to enjoy walking
and running safely. So we train together once a week.
At the moment we're training in Glenelg because it's traffic
free and nice open spaces, and then we catch up
once a month to have coffee after. And the idea
is to for support and inclusion and empowerment, to be
(16:37):
one of us, to help anyone who just wants to
walk or who wants to run. Um.
S1 (16:42):
Kathy, what got you involved? Because you told us about
this and also about Justine. Um, how did you kind
of discover it?
S6 (16:48):
Yeah. So, um, I was also like, I found out about, um,
Achilles Melbourne at Stadium Stomp a couple of years ago.
And so I've been sort of like following the Achilles, uh,
you know, journey since then. And, um, you know, once
I heard that Achilles Adelaide was starting up, I was, uh. Yeah,
very excited and made sure I had it out.
S1 (17:10):
So you said we spoke to you in the past
and you're a person with a vision impairment? Of course.
Have designed that, uh, bus signalling app. So I guess,
you know, you like to get out and about. And
if you can do it safely, particularly to maybe add
to your fitness, this is another way of doing it.
S6 (17:24):
Oh, absolutely. Like, you know, to be able to go
out for an hour each week, you know, not have
to use my cane, you know, like to to hand
the keys over, um, so to speak to someone else, um,
you know, like, it's great. Like, I don't have to
really think about, like, where I'm going or what I'm doing.
I've just got to pay attention to, you know, like,
do I go left? Do I go right? What's the
(17:45):
tether doing? You know, to be able to go out
for a run outside is just, you know, it's fantastic.
S1 (17:51):
This thing we're about to go now. Do you meet
and whereabouts do you kind of run? You talked about
no traffic. I mean, I'm sure there's some traffic in
some places of Glenelg.
S5 (17:59):
We made it the Glenelg rotunda. We made it 845
every Saturday. Um, and then we pair off and then
set off at 9:00 to get going, and typically we
head south from there. But, um, you know, we can
go north. And really, most of that way you can
actually avoid road traffic anyway the entire way for, you know,
you could get a 20 or 30 K run in
(18:20):
and not, not actually have to cross a road. So
it's a really good space. We certainly have people like
and depending on the day there could be dogs and
other people and bikes, but that's what the guides are
there to try and help person with vision impairment not
have to worry about. What I found, as Cassie said,
is that it's the enjoyment of not having to think
about it for an hour. You've got someone else just
(18:40):
leading the way, and we all get to have an
hour together.
S1 (18:44):
Being outdoors and a good track and in quotes, I mean, like,
you know, not not too many impairments or stumbling blocks
in a way that, you know, can be a bit
of a hazardous.
S5 (18:52):
No, it's pretty good. I actually did some training with
Achilles Sydney, and they run, um, around the harbour. And
I can guarantee you we have far less, uh, issues
for us. Yeah, we don't really even have bollards. There's
not really low hanging trees. The paths actually been done, um,
relatively recently, so it's nice and smooth and wide. I think. Cassie,
would you agree with that?
S6 (19:12):
Yeah. No, I haven't crashed into anything or, uh, tripped over. So,
you know, it's always a good time.
S1 (19:18):
But on a serious note, have you had kind of,
quote unquote training? Uh, or either because you're just starting
to because, I mean, you know, there's a, a conventional
sighted guide technique that people can use to, you know,
kind of get around the street, okay, normally quote unquote, again, but, uh,
to be tethered and stuff, do you kind of have
a bit of a, a training, uh, situation as to
(19:38):
make sure it's all pretty, you know, pretty kosher.
S5 (19:42):
Well, I'll talk about it from the God's point of view.
Start with, um, we do have a training session, like
I went to Sydney and did some training. I've also
recently done some human guide training with guide dogs. Uh,
South Australia, which was really good. A lot of it
is learning on the run. As I've said to other guides, um,
you know, the the person with vision impairment is more aware,
(20:03):
like we, we, we train people with blindfolds on so
they can get a feeling of what it's like and
to call out and then you really just have to
have a bit of a go. And as people get
more experienced, they obviously heading out. So yeah, Cassie and
I together would be fine. And a whole bunch of people,
if I had a new guide out, I would spend
the first session training them on what? And there's a
whole process that we've got that on our website. It's
(20:23):
on Instagram, you know, available to read, and there's videos
on how to do it. And then we do it
in person, and then we would tell it, line up
a new guide with an existing guide. So they run
alongside to start with to get the idea and get
the experience and then take some time doing it.
S1 (20:38):
Oh, that's a great idea about the two guides kind
of running together. The old and the new, if you like.
That's a great way to kind of introduce both parties,
I guess, to a bit of a, you know, feel
of how it all work.
S5 (20:48):
Absolutely. And it's just safer and more reassuring, I would think,
for the person with visual impairment, but also for the guide,
because I think the guides worry that they're going to
do something wrong. But in general, it's it's it's just
being aware of your surroundings.
S1 (20:59):
Just think you're very clever. I like that line. You
do training on the run. I like.
S5 (21:03):
That. Yeah.
S1 (21:05):
Kathy, what about for you, then? Uh, obviously we've kind
of touched on the fact that to feel comfortable and
safe with who you're with and, uh, given what Justine
has said in terms of the preparation. So you'd be
pretty comfortable that the person that you're running with is
kind of know, you know, know what to look out
for or how to communicate.
S6 (21:21):
Yeah. For sure. Um, you know, like, I guess, you know, like,
we're used to sort of the sighted guide side of things,
you know, running with a tether, um, to start with
was a bit of a different experience. But, you know, like,
we just started out with the walk and and then,
you know, built up from there and got, you know,
like the hang of it and like, I think it's
a great way to do it.
S1 (21:41):
So Justine recently did you have some people competing? Was
it the half marathon?
S5 (21:45):
We went out for the Adelaide Marathon Festival and we
had a variety. So we had some five K runners,
some five K walkers, some ten K walkers, some ten
K runners. And then um Warren, one of our I
guess fastest athletes at this stage. He did the half
marathon and did a PB.
S1 (21:59):
Absolutely fantastic. Was it that I mean kind of there's
proof of how important and how valuable something like this
can be. I mean, we're probably not for that. That
record probably wouldn't have happened or that wouldn't have happened.
S5 (22:10):
No. Yeah. And I think it's, um, like, I'm a
firm believer that, um, when we move our bodies, you know,
it helps our minds to whether it's walk or run,
just being out in the fresh air with good company.
You know, being physical, physically moving is one of the
simplest and easiest ways to help your mental health, your
physical wellbeing, and to are able to help people that
would not otherwise be able to do that is just being.
(22:31):
It's wonderful actually, and our guides are The really enjoying
that experience as well and seeing that that achievement. It's
just it's really a beautiful, simple concept that Achilles has,
but it's it's just fantastic.
S1 (22:45):
Much conversation goes on. Cathy. Much kayaking, uh, encouragement. What's
the atmosphere like?
S6 (22:51):
I know there's always a conversation, uh, going, you know,
like you'll be chatting away about something and then, um,
you know, the conversation will change to be like, okay, we're,
you know, turning, turning left in, um, you know, five
meters or whatever. And then the conversation picks up again to,
you know, whatever we were discussing. So it's that social
side of things. It's also, you know, the benefit of
(23:11):
going out for a run. Um, you know, uh, even,
you know, the coffee catch ups, um, once a month, like,
you know, it, it does wonders for your mental health.
S1 (23:21):
Justin, how are you going? Are you need more, uh,
guides or more runners, or are you evenly balanced? How
does that all work?
S5 (23:26):
We're getting there. We? We'd always love to have more.
Both guides and athletes. At the moment, we have enough
guides guards for the athletes who are coming out, but
it would be lovely to build the pool of guides
in particular, so that everyone's got flexibility. So yeah, not
about being locked in every Saturday. It's just putting your
hand up when you can come and making sure that
all the athletes, um, have someone to guide them. We
(23:48):
haven't had a time where we haven't had enough guides. Yeah,
we've been pretty close and I've been a bit worried, but, uh, no.
So we'd love to see some more people. And I
guess people just need to know, you know, you don't
need to be fast. You don't need to be an expert.
You just need to be kind, patient, willing to learn.
And then, um, Achilles will actually support both the athlete
and all the guides along the way. On on how
(24:09):
to be involved.
S1 (24:10):
I was going to ask you about the kind of, uh,
level of ability or level of fitness or, uh, the
speed that someone moves at that kind of irrelevant.
S5 (24:18):
It is really. We have people that, um, walkers to runners.
We've probably got some walkers that would like to learn
to run, and we've got some that will just continue
to walk. And we've got some runners that including our, um,
app developer that we're talking to right now. She's setting
a goal for a marathon next year. So yeah, a marathon.
S1 (24:40):
All right.
S5 (24:41):
It's exciting, but we we welcome anyone, and we actually
need people. We need people that are happy to walk
with someone with low vision, as well as someone who's
happy to run.
S1 (24:50):
Great point. Cathy. Uh, marathon next year. Is the city
of Dubai in your target this year?
S6 (24:55):
Absolutely. Got the half marathon. Um, in, uh, in my sights. Um, so,
you know, again, the great thing with Achilles, um, you know, like,
I've wanted to do the half marathon city for quite
a number of years, but, you know, I didn't have
the guide to be able to do it. So to
now be able to like, you know, participate in the
(25:16):
event is super exciting.
S1 (25:18):
It sounds great. And, uh, what about Justine in terms
of costs? How does that all work?
S5 (25:22):
Yeah, we've got some, um, supporters, a pretty low cost
model that we work with, and we've had some great, uh,
donations and donors along the way. I mean, we're always
happy to have some more support. Most of the cost
is in helping the athletes sign up for events. And
then if the guide needs help, you know, long term,
we'd love to get. As an example, awesome to get
Cassie to go to the Sydney Marathon, which is now
(25:44):
major and, you know, talk to girl Cassie and also
the guide do that without it being, um, something that's
cost prohibitive as well. So enabling that. So yeah, it's
not too bad at this stage. It's transport. Probably because
eventually we'd like to do more events, and getting the
athletes to the events is one of the things I'm
finding a little bit tricky, but we're working our way
around a few of those things and we hope to
(26:05):
get that sorted, but that takes money. We want to
have an event next year, um, where we sort of
open up an event at Vic Park that's got vision, vision,
families or anyone who wants to come out and.
S1 (26:15):
Learn.
S5 (26:16):
A bit more and that will cost a bit of money.
But in general, it's not too bad. It's quite a
low cost model, really. It's 100% volunteer run, both athletes
and guides.
S1 (26:24):
What about kind of interstate rivalry? Something like that happen
in the future?
S5 (26:29):
Funny enough, we had Achilles. Melbourne came over for the
Adelaide Marathon Festival. I hope.
S1 (26:33):
We beat.
S5 (26:34):
Them. Well, they've got about 50 guys and it was
an event thrown on to the deep end and Achilles.
We are actually in touch with all the other chapters
and we have a national meeting. And in fact we
actually sort of touch base with Achilles International as well occasionally. Um,
and we would like to have a national event, uh,
aiming for 26, probably, where all the chapters will get
together somewhere and do an event. That would be fantastic.
(26:56):
They are trying to grow it and making it even
more inclusive and social.
S1 (26:59):
And probably competitive in the sense that you're competing against yourself, uh,
particularly as the athlete who is blind or has low vision.
You're kind of trying to, uh, you know, do better
than you did last time rather than trying to you
trying to beat me sort of thing, which wouldn't be hard.
S6 (27:15):
Yeah. That's it. I mean, um, look, I probably don't
even compete against myself, really. I'm more of a go
with the flow at the moment, but yeah, no, I
like there's no, you know, like, this person ran quicker
than me or or any of that. Like it's just
a really supportive group, which is awesome.
S1 (27:31):
What about things like footwear? Because that's obviously important. Do
you go into that? Is that the person?
S5 (27:35):
Well, there's a story there, Peter, because, um, we actually
did have some of our athletes, uh, were coming out
to Warren and Ricky. Brand new shoes. All good to go.
But we did have, um, Cassie and another guy, Johnny,
who comes out and we've got a couple of podiatrists
that run with us. So they did note an issue
with the shoes. They were just runners that come and help.
And so both Cassie and Johnny have new shoes now, and, um,
(27:58):
we're actually going to work with, um, in Adelaide. There's
run DNA, and they've offered to put on a night
for us to come in so people can try on
a whole bunch of different shoes and.
S1 (28:06):
Oh, cool.
S5 (28:07):
Do some nutrition talk. And so might that be a night?
We need to lock that in. We've got quite a
few things we're aiming to do to make it a
bit more inclusive, I guess. Not necessarily runner centric, because
it's just as important to have good walking shoes if
you're walking.
S1 (28:21):
So, Cassie, you've never run better since you changed your shoes.
S6 (28:23):
I'm still missing my old shoes. I quite liked them. Um, but, uh, no,
I did take out my new shoes for a run
on Saturday. And, you know, they're good shoes, but I
still miss the old ones.
S1 (28:34):
It's a bit like slapping a chair so much more
comfortable than sitting properly, isn't it? I don't know why
it's not too bad for you. Oh. That's terrific. Well,
if people do want to find out more, uh, what's
what's the best way to do it? Justine?
S5 (28:47):
Uh, yeah. You can email us at, um, Adelaide, Australia.
We've also got the website if you just Google Achilles
Australia and there is a tab in there for Adelaide. Um,
and you can follow us on our socials. So we're
on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
S1 (29:05):
Alright. Just before you go, Cathy, any news on your app?
S6 (29:07):
Uh, nothing I can reveal yet, but uh, stay tuned. When, uh,
later this year, I'll, um. Yeah. Have some exciting news.
S1 (29:16):
Well, you dub Justine in, so maybe next time Justine
will dob you in. How's that?
S5 (29:20):
Absolutely.
S1 (29:24):
Just Shasta Mcnasty. Great to catch up. Well done and
we'll certainly keep in touch. We'll put those details up
on our show notes. If people have missed it or
if they have a bit of difficulty, they can always
get in touch. But it sounds like a most worthwhile
thing and certainly some big plans, which is very exciting
as well. So keep running and keep walking and keep
enjoying it.
S7 (29:41):
Thank you. Thanks, Greta. That was thanks for having us.
S1 (29:43):
Justin Crawford, who heads up Achilles here in Adelaide, and
also Cassie Haines, who's one of their very important members
of staff. Like it's a bit of fun that goes
on as well. On 1190 7 a.m. in Adelaide on
VA radio, digital and through the TuneIn radio app. This
is Poker Point. Thanks for joining us today. What's been
(30:04):
really positive news for Sandra, particularly for people with some
sleep disorders? Let's find out about it with the CEO
for Sleep Health Foundation, doctor Maura. Maura, lovely to catch
up with you again. We're having a quick chat before
coming to air, and we spoke the first time probably
30 years ago, so neither of us sound any different.
S8 (30:23):
Hi, Oh, Peter, you're so nice. So nice to reconnect
with you. Especially over another sleep issue, a different one.
S1 (30:28):
Yes, indeed. That's us about this. I guess there'd be
people that would be using this medication, but not for
sleep purposes at this stage.
S8 (30:37):
That's right. Well, yeah, exactly. It was only a recent announcement,
but people have been using this particular medication for many years.
I don't know, I'm not connected with the drug company itself,
but I would say many decades perhaps, but it's been
used for type two diabetes very widely and obesity. And
now it's actually just in I think, you know, very, very,
very recently, like in the weeks ago, that the TGA
(31:00):
made an announcement that it's now got an indication to
be prescribed for people who have moderate to severe obstructive
sleep apnea, which we can talk about what that actually
is and obesity as well, and what and obesity is
defined as having a BMI of over 30 and BMI
(31:21):
usually like that? Um, I know for women, I don't
know the men's one, but I know for women because
I keep an eye on, you know, my health and
my weight. That it's between 20 and 25 is a
is a expected or normal recommended BMI, which is the
body mass index. And it's really just a meter square.
It's just a fraction of looking at your weight in
kilograms divided by your height in meters squared. So you
(31:46):
can imagine if you were so, you know, 60kg and
you were 100cm, it was, you know, 60kg divided by,
you know, what would you know, someone's 100m. I've messed
that up. But, you know, like instead of like 174cm.
So that's, you know, 1.7m² is how I work out
my BMI.
S1 (32:04):
Okay. And if it's above a certain number, then, uh, that, uh,
sort of clinically, uh, pronounces you as, uh, being obese.
S8 (32:11):
That's right above them.
S1 (32:13):
What about the sleep condition, Marcus? I guess all sleep
conditions are not created equal, are they?
S8 (32:18):
That's right. Exactly. And so this is what we're talking
about with this condition. It's really reasonably common. Um, prevalence.
It sort of differs depending on age and gender and
the severity, etc.. But at least 10% of Australians have
obstructive sleep apnea. And we think that 80% might be undiagnosed.
So it's very, very common. And sleep apnea, as the
(32:38):
word apnea is a Latin word for absence of breathing.
And so a lot of people would have heard of
sleep apnea these days. And knowing that people do stop
breathing for short periods of time in their sleep. And
when it happens periodically, lots of times throughout the night,
like even, you know, moderate to severe moderate is, say,
15 times or so plus per hour that it's happening
(33:00):
and severe is say above, above 30 times per hour
that it's happening. So imagine people are stopping breathing for, say,
10s or even up to a minute or really varied
periods of time and then start to breathe again. And
they have that chortling, kind of choking sound as they
start to breathe again, and then they wake up a
(33:20):
little bit. It's sort of a they might not be
aware they're awake. They're sort of a micro arousal. But
it happens happening all the time. Your sleep disturbance is
really is a lot. And then so your sleep quality
is really impaired. And you're less likely to go through
the normal trajectory of, you know, X amount of deep
sleep and X amount of core sleep and lots of
(33:41):
dreaming sleep, all that really good quality sleep. All the
different stages are really markedly disrupted and impaired. When someone
has moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea.
S1 (33:53):
I guess their quote unquote side effects of it is
the cumulative impact that it has.
S8 (33:57):
Yeah. That's right. People often don't know they've got it
unless they've got someone who's witnessed their apnea or they've
been told they're a really loud snorer, because most people
who have it are allowed snorer. But it's the it's
the cumulative. They actually just they find out that they think, gee,
I'm sleepy. They have this what we call EDS like
excessive daytime sleepiness and they have unintentional naps. They find
(34:20):
that their quality of life is impaired. So sort of
be distressed by all that and known kind of marked
impairments in their social and or occupational functioning that you're
falling asleep at inopportune times. You might be feeling pretty grumpy,
pretty low mood too. A lot of associated with depression
and a morning headache. It's a it's a classic thing.
(34:40):
It's someone listening to this. If they're a snorer and
they're sort of sleepy during the day, tend to be overweight,
but not always. And then that morning headache, you know,
there's a these are the classic telltale signs of, of
sleep apnea, whether it's known or unknown.
S1 (34:55):
So how effective is the treatment then? I know it's
only just come onto the PBS, but has it been
trialled in other areas and and been proven to be
quite successful.
S8 (35:05):
Yeah. So it's just one thing about the PBS is because, um,
it should one day it might get onto the PBS,
but at the moment.
S1 (35:11):
Also the TGA.
S8 (35:12):
Have said, yeah, so it's still it's you can the
doctors are there to now prescribe it for that cause
rather than an off label. You know, it's sort of
a different type of use. But yeah. But PBS, which
will be making it cheaper one day, will be a
thing in the, in the future. But and then because
at the moment it's quite expensive. But we'll get on
to that. I think your question was is how effective it. Yeah.
(35:32):
And so at the moment it's the clinical trials that
I've read about and really good quality sleep physician like
people who are sort of founders and leaders in our
field have been involved in this in the trials. I've
been mostly out of Sydney, out of the Woolcock Institute
of Medical Research, and they found they were really impressed
with that. They thought that they could see really strong
(35:53):
effects of people losing weight via this drug. That's what
the whole idea of mounjaro is. The mechanism of action
is that it suppresses people's appetite, therefore, and increase changes
their metabolism, and they lose weight over time, but only
on the, you know, under the guidance of their doctor
and being checked and making sure they make changes to
(36:14):
their Exercise and their food as well. That's the ideal.
But these people yeah, they're finding that there was a
really incredible changes to people's sleep apnea once the weight
was off. That's because there's a lot of this. Often there's, um,
excessive weight around the neck and the tongue. So the
airway is narrowed and it's prone to collapsing during sleep.
(36:34):
So yeah. And also so sometimes it's abdominal weight too,
like this big bit of a fat tummy. So you know,
a bit of a big tummy then. Especially when you're
lying down the tummy and the there's pressure on the
chest reduces the ability of the lungs to expand and contract.
So the doctors have said it was a they were
pretty convinced that it's a significant finding and many, many
trials here in overseas that people will lose weight. And
(36:58):
therefore maybe that's the that's the treatment for their sleep apnea.
But traditionally the treatment has been there's lots of other
treatments still for sleep apnea. And the biggest one is CPAp. Mhm.
You know the continuous positive airway pressure mask and attach
to a machine. and that's very, very effective. It's been
around a long time. The trouble is there's about 50%
(37:21):
of people. It sounds it's pretty high. Do struggle with it.
A lot of people. It's a duck to water. They
just they get the machine and they love it. And
they you know, they use it and they have really
good outcomes, including losing weight actually, because they're starting to
sleep better and they've got more energy and they're not
as depressed and they're so, so sort of sleep apnea
in general. So it's got to be treated. So whether
(37:43):
you do your CPAp machine or you lose weight or
you have surgery or you use a what we call
a mandibular advancement device, like a splint in your mouth,
it brings your jaw, your mandible, it brings your jaw forward.
And by using that at night, it opens the airway
that way. So there's there's all the other thing too,
is a positional device where you can actually wear something
(38:06):
around your chest, and it beeps when you're on your
back and it wakes you up so it keeps you
on your side. We used to have back in the day.
Back in the day when I was speaking to you
in the 90s about my, the, the sleep stuff, then
people would sleep apnea. We would say we're a t
shirt or pajama top to bed. And so a tennis
ball into the back of it.
S9 (38:26):
I remember that. Yeah.
S8 (38:28):
So nowadays you can still do the tennis ball of course,
but you can actually have a like an electronic kind
of band and that can keep you off your back.
S9 (38:36):
I'd say 2025, isn't it?
S8 (38:37):
Yeah, exactly. But so there's lots there. There's so much
to talk about really that that the, the drug is,
is an exciting uh I get talked I've been talking
a lot about it like it was a big media
frenzy at the time. Like I can go when the
press release came out and I'm positive about it. Like
I think, wow, this is great. I didn't think I'd
see in my lifetime a drug that was actually for
(39:00):
sleep apnea indicated for sleep apnea for those that are
obese as well. But it's I've got to say, it's
not going to be any kind of magical thing for
everyone because there's still some people who have sleep apnea
who aren't obese. It's nothing to do with their weight.
There's this thin they're thin people, and they just have
this the structure of their draw and their airway and
(39:21):
their nose and all sorts of blockages there that that's
causing the sleep apnea. And there's also plenty of people
who won't be able to afford it because it's about,
you know, $80, $80 a week or something like it's. Yeah.
So that's a lot of money for a lot of people. There's,
there's plenty of people who spend, you know, like their
school fees are less than that and stuff. You know,
there's not a big deal for some households, but we
(39:43):
know that that's a very big deal for a lot
of people, especially if it's more than one who, you know,
going to do it. So it's really for those people
who can't lose weight in any other way, because some
a lot of people can lose weight, like maybe, you know, ten,
20 kilos with just, you know, changing their mindset and
changing their what they eat and exercising more. But but
(40:06):
we all know it's a very hard thing to do
losing even 10 to 20kg, let alone more. And a
lot of people who have got this sort of quite
morbidly obese, they've got really severe, you know, at least
moderate to severe sleep apnea. It's a really tricky situation
to get that person who's already very tired. They're really
tired and sleepy. They're often not working. They haven't you know,
(40:28):
they have poor quality of life. Not a lot of energy,
not a lot of money. It's let's face all that
sort of stuff. That's really hard to tell them to
let go and lose 40 kilos, like it just hasn't
been able to work. Whereas that cohort of people and
those that are, you know, maybe even even ten, 20
kilos overweight and employed, it's not just it's a whole
range of people out there. It's it's all types that
(40:50):
it's affecting. That's exciting because they have a really good
chance of getting some good support and, you know, medically indicated, safe, effective.
You know, if they're monitored, they can lose the weight
and it can be life changing. It will be life
changing for some people.
S1 (41:05):
But we're almost out of time. What about in terms
of the the potential PBS. Is that something you can
comment on, or is that kind of, uh, above your
pay grade?
S9 (41:14):
Yeah.
S8 (41:15):
Definitely above my pay grade. But I would be, I'd
imagine I can imagine that we'd be in a position
at the sleep Healthier nation to be part of those discussions.
And I think I'd. Yeah, I can't speak for my
board or my I would imagine we would be, um,
be positively sort of suggesting that that's something we'd, we'd
like to see for those people who can't afford it otherwise,
(41:37):
that's for sure. Maybe some means tested perhaps, or something
like that, that we we put it onto the PBS
and but also there's, there's plenty of people who can
lose weight, um, without this drug. And there's plenty of
people who CPAp and the splint and or surgery. There's
other options that are really work perfectly well for other
people as well. So it's it's not this cure all thing.
(41:57):
And it's just it depends on just a specific type
of person it'll be great for.
S1 (42:01):
That's a great message, Maura. I guess if people wanted
to find out more, I give you a website in
a second and put that up with our show notes
as well. But obviously if you've got a good relationship
in particular with the GP, a good thing to be discussing.
S8 (42:11):
Yes, please, absolutely talk to your GP. Your GP is
in a really good position. They'll know. They'll know all
about this. They've been they've been hearing about it for
for months that it's coming. It's overseas. It's been indicated
overseas for a while now. So to say they know
all about it, talk to them for sure. Look at
the Sleep Health Foundation website looking up. You know, all
the information about sleep apnea and all the other stuff
(42:32):
while you're they've got 100 fact sheets on a range
of things. Alright.
S1 (42:35):
We'll put those details up with our show notes. As
I say, more great to catch up over 30 years
before we speak again.
S8 (42:42):
Thank you for the opportunity. Really nice to talk to you, Peter.
S1 (42:44):
Thank you. In 30 years time, that could be an
interesting conversation.
S8 (42:49):
We might both.
S5 (42:50):
Be in a.
S8 (42:51):
Wooden box of some sort.
S1 (42:53):
Okay, well, still, you still be worth talking tomorrow. That's.
The doctor. Took a bit of fun there, but also
a very serious topic. And if you want more details, uh,
consult our show notes. And as always, if you have
any difficulties consulting or accessing those show notes. Give us
a call here at the radio station 130847466.
S10 (43:14):
So you say it quickly. It sort of doesn't mean much.
They're hoping that, well, why not? The government of the
federal government provide the service anyway, in particular looking to
go nuclear. Look, that's quite good. Sometimes it's almost like
being next to the radio station. Yeah, it's an interesting one.
S1 (43:32):
That's the very familiar sound of Philip Van Peer, who's
the co-founder and co-presenter for Focal Point. And along with
Wendy MacDougall, being part of the program for a long,
long time. Phil, welcome. Good to have you back with us. Yes.
S10 (43:44):
Thank you, Peter, and I must apologize. I wasn't well
and wasn't able to participate in last month's program, but
I'm happy to be back now.
S1 (43:52):
Yes, it's certainly sounding sprightly as always. Phil, of course,
the last or since the last time we spoke, we, uh,
lost our great friend, Wendy McDougall. Um, that's, you know,
was obviously a bit of a bit of a shock.
I mean, we knew that when he wasn't in the
greatest of health, but, uh, you know, when that final
sort of, uh, curtain is drawn, it's a bit of
(44:13):
a bit of a shock.
S10 (44:14):
It certainly is. Uh, Peter and, uh, you know, there
are a lot of, um, memories of that we can
sort of speak of, but there are two in particular
that I want to, um, raise. And one of them
was that, um, when I started at Townsend, one of
the things that I had to learn very quickly, only
because it was part and parcel of everyday life at Townsend,
(44:37):
and that was, uh, to sing Grace. And it was
thank you to the world. So sweet. And of course,
the person that the end of the dining room where
the piano was, who was actually playing it for us,
was Wendy MacDougall. And so every time, um, we had
a meal and we had to do it twice on
(44:58):
that meal, it was before and after the meal, if
you remember Peter painter, and we'd stand there with our
hands together and waiting quietly until the house mother said,
thank you, Wendy. And then she played the first chord
and we started to sing it.
S1 (45:14):
Okay. I mean, I vaguely remember it. Your memory for
stuff like that is much better than mine. So you're
saying for every meal? Twice. Twice. At each meal? Yes.
S10 (45:24):
So three times a day? Yeah. Twice every meal we
had to do. Thank you for the world. So sweet.
And I. I had to learn it very quickly because, uh,
now if I, I, I didn't do it too well, I,
I got into a bit of trouble. But anyway, we
got there in the end, and, uh, when Wendy left,
somebody else took over. But Wendy was a, um, was
(45:45):
a champion at it, and she was good.
S1 (45:47):
I wonder how Wendy got the original gig, and I guess, yeah.
Kind of testament to her what.
S10 (45:53):
I've been wanting. Yeah, it's something I've been wondering, too, because,
I mean, uh, she was, um, lucky enough to actually
get it, and, uh, she was probably one of the, uh,
people who, uh, stepped up to the mark and actually
did a wonderful job of it. They obviously saw her
as being able to do the job.
S1 (46:12):
Yeah. Well, I mean, and certainly, as you said, uh,
that thank you. Wendy, when everyone was quiet enough for
it to start, is something that I do remember very,
very vividly that, uh, until. Thank you. Wendy came about.
We didn't start to play or we didn't start to play.
We didn't start to sing and we didn't eat.
S10 (46:30):
No, I think that's exactly right. And of course, the
other memory I have and one of I think that
you will remember, is that, uh, there was a group
that was formed at Townsend, uh, called the sunsets. And
of course, Wendy plays the major part in that because
he plays the piano while Tom McMahon was on drums. And, uh,
(46:51):
they produced a number of, um, songs, a couple of
songs and Beatles songs and any other songs they could
come up with a Cliff Richard one won and it
turns out that they actually made a record. Now, it
might not have been on one of the radio station's
top 40 charts, but it was certainly on our top 40. Yeah. Um, and, uh,
(47:11):
it was a double sided one side with the seekers number,
and the other side was the Cliff Richard number.
S1 (47:17):
Can you remember the songs?
S10 (47:19):
Yes, I can. Um, I could easily by Cliff Richard. Yeah.
And the other ones. I'll never find another you by
the by the seekers.
S1 (47:27):
That's quite something, isn't it? I mean, we're talking back. What,
the 60s, I guess we're talking back in the 60s for, however.
And whoever got it together for a group of musicians
to put out a record. The old vinyl 45. That's
quite an achievement.
S10 (47:43):
It was actually. And I don't know anybody else who
has ever done it. Um, at Townsend, I guess that, uh,
they were the ones that sort of, uh, were seen
by somebody who owned the recording studio and decided to
take them in and, uh, do a recording of them.
S1 (48:01):
Yeah, certainly. Uh, wonderful memories of Townsend. And, of course,
Wendy left Townsend and then went to, uh, mainstream school,
went to Wofford College for a couple of years, and
then on to the Music Conservatorium, which I guess is
very apt because a Wendy loved the music, but B
when he was also very good at it.
S10 (48:18):
Yeah, she was actually part of that, um, music group
that I'm just trying to think of what it was, um,
known as, and she did a couple of productions with them. Mhm. Um,
and I think one of them was um. Oh, I
can't remember now, but I know that there were a
number of productions and they were, they were performed at the, uh,
the Union Hall, the University of Adelaide's Union Hall. And
(48:41):
of course, along with the orchestra, she was the pianist,
and she did a wonderful job of that.
S1 (48:46):
I think people like her Vicki Cousins, our own Vicki
Cousins might have also been involved with that group.
S10 (48:51):
Uh, yeah. I'm not sure. I think that I know
Adrian was involved in it.
S1 (48:56):
And, uh, actually.
S10 (48:57):
When.
S1 (48:57):
You talk about the Barry, the Barry Clark Singers? Yes,
the Barry Clark Singers. Yeah.
S10 (49:01):
Yes. Yes. Yeah yeah yeah yeah, she was very much
a part of that. And that was uh, that was a,
a a milestone for her. And she enjoyed playing music.
She enjoyed music very much. And, uh, of course you
played an interview earlier on regarding, uh, her going to
(49:22):
see the Beatles. Yeah. We all went along with that, uh, that.
I would have loved that.
S1 (49:26):
Yeah. That's a great memory. Yeah. And fill in more later. Yes.
Of course, with the, uh, well beyond blindness or blind
welfare as it was then that a, a music group
that went for quite some time and often, uh, went
and played at, uh, aged care facilities or indeed at
the center at uh, plays as well to sort of
entertain the members.
S10 (49:44):
Yeah, she did a lot of that. And, uh, she
also had a friend and a couple of times blind welfare,
as it was known then, and beyond blindness as we
know it now, would often have a Friday night concert. And, uh,
her and her friend would come out and belt out
a few tunes on the piano. They could make those
pianos sing. They really did a good job of that.
S1 (50:04):
You know, the other thing about Winnie that was most,
most talented was you could be singing a song, or
we could be trying to sing a song, and she
could do kind of the harmony, which is a skill
in itself. And we aren't very good at holding notes,
but when you could really make that harmony come out
so wonderfully well, which is a real skill.
S10 (50:22):
Oh, that is definitely a skill in itself. And and
you're right, she could she could harmonize really beautifully. And
it's a credit to her, um, the way she actually
did it. And, uh, I think she took some notes
from the Beatles from that too, I think, uh, which, uh. Yeah. Yeah.
In listening to them, she probably took, um, uh, some
(50:44):
kudos from that and, and and made it her own
as far as, uh, her, um, ability to harmonize. And
I thought that that was really good. And just one
other thing that I've got to mention is that she
was really into sports. She would often have a little
radio around. It didn't matter where it was, what she
was doing, how much of a job that she had
(51:07):
to do. Get a little radio tuned into the sports.
I know when we were doing our program in the
early days, uh, we would often sort of have to
wait a few seconds for the call because she was
listening in to find out what the results were. Um,
so she. No, she was very much into sport. And,
you know, whether it was cricket, whether it was rugby league,
(51:27):
whether it was AFL, and she was a crows supporter too,
I believe so, yeah.
S1 (51:33):
Crows and South Australia and Phil were very much a reader.
Love bro. Love reading.
S10 (51:38):
Oh yes. Oh yes. No. She she was an avid reader.
She would um, often um, contact the library about various
books or have, uh, various books sent to her. You know,
I think that that was probably one of her pastimes.
If she wasn't doing anything, she'd be reading, and she'd
read lots and lots of books. And I think, you know,
(52:00):
the library couldn't keep up with her at one stage.
I think that that was the situation because she was
reading so fast.
S1 (52:07):
A voracious reader. I feel I was thinking about this
earlier today. Remember back in the day, this is probably
before sort of computers, and certainly the smartphones are about
remember the guy that sort of set up that, um,
I think it was called iPhone, where you could send
emails via the phone. Well, Wendy sort of took that
up as something she was really passionate about. And I
think the email address that she took with her through
(52:29):
life actually started way back when that iPhone, uh, system
started up.
S10 (52:34):
And I remember her sort of saying, no, she'll never
take the computer on. She didn't think that she could,
but when it sort of came to doing it, she
now she wouldn't let go of it.
S1 (52:44):
Yeah. You know, really.
S10 (52:46):
It was part of.
S1 (52:47):
Her. Yeah. A really powerful point. I remember Wendy making when,
you know, we got sort of computers Peterson emails up
and running and she said, look, this is so good.
Now that I can email a radio station, a television station,
a company, and say, this isn't right or this is
not good, and I could do that on my own.
You know, I can independently complain about something or say
(53:08):
something positive, and I don't need someone to write a
letter for me or post a letter for me, which
I thought was a really wonderful way to kind of
express how technology can really be used to advantage someone.
S10 (53:19):
Yeah. And I believe that she actually emailed, um, a
couple of times, uh, about a few things, and her
name sort of like came up, so. Yeah.
S1 (53:29):
Yeah, that's a great point. I thought it was a
great way to kind of show that. I feel just
before we go. And thank you for that, I'm sure that, uh,
it's not a, uh, a brilliant some of those wonderful memories,
particularly for some of the old scholars, if they can
remember those days, uh, just quickly since the last time
we spoke, of course, we had the landslide election of
the Labour government. Any kind of thoughts? Uh, you know,
(53:50):
it was a bit of a shock to everyone, I think.
S10 (53:52):
Uh, I think it was, um. As a matter of fact, um,
I know that, uh, poor old Anthony Green's computer went
to meltdown at one stage because I think the result
was getting very much towards a one way result. Um,
and it's interesting because not only had, um, Peter Dutton's
party lost, he lost his seat as well. So, you know,
(54:16):
it was oh, it was an incredible situation. And there
was one particular time when on his computer, he had
a line of, um, of, uh, across the screen with
the colours of the, um, uh, the particular party. So
you can actually see, uh, how, um, the swings went
above the line as to how far they've swung towards them.
(54:37):
And the Liberal Party was so far down, I thought
this thing was upside down, literally. I, I couldn't imagine
it being that much.
S1 (54:46):
Yeah. And just quickly. I know you like listening and
watching Parliament. It'll be interesting when they resume later in
July with 94 people on one side. And what is it,
43 on the other?
S10 (54:57):
Yes. It'll be interesting to see how the noise goes,
which whether the, um, the Labor Party will, will, uh,
need to sort of, um, raise their voice against the, um, uh,
the Liberal Party because there's not that many of them.
S1 (55:12):
Well, well, we'll stand by for more. Feel good to
catch up.
S10 (55:15):
Yeah, it's been good. Thanks for that, Peter.
S1 (55:17):
That's it for their co-founder, co-presenter, Folk Point. And a lovely,
lovely tribute there to the late, wonderful Wendy McDougall. Our
audio described show of the week. It's coming up this
Saturday evening. 830 SBS Movie Channel. Only the brave. This
features the Granite Mountain Hotshots who risked their lives and
(55:40):
limbs fighting fires, helping others and building a great brotherhood
amongst themselves. It's rated M them. Only the brave. This
Sunday evening, SBS Movie Channel with audio description sounds certainly
like worth checking out. Also pleased to note or please
note it is a true story. So birthdays before we go.
(56:05):
Brendan Donohue having a birthday. What a tremendous advocate, particularly
in Queensland all over Australia's. Brendan. Brendan, a very big
happy birthday to you. Keep up your fine work Sydney.
We're having a birthday. Champion gold bowler Gemma Sydney having
a birthday. No relation over in Perth. Doing great work
for Australia Radio in Perth. Happy birthday to you Gemma
(56:26):
and Luis having a birthday, a fine technologist and also advocate.
Happy birthday to you Louise. That's it for the program.
Thank you, Sam Rickard for your help. Thank you, Pam
Green for yours. Reminding you that Focal Point is available
on that favourite podcast platform. If you like the show,
please tell a friend we'd love you to do that.
(56:49):
On behalf of Philip Napier, this is Peter Greco saying,
be kind to yourselves, be thoughtful and look out for
others all being well. Focal point back at the same time.
Next week on Vision Australia Radio and the Reading Radio Network.
This is focal point.
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