By Bronwyn Hastings

Ivan Smith’s white cane has given him more pairs of eyes than his own when he is out in the Horsham community – and he is thankful for the assistance people offer.

“I don’t always need help, but I’ll either say ‘yeah, that’ll be good, thanks’, or ‘no, I’m right, thank you’,” he said.

“I find people are very good here. I appreciate the fact they want to ask.

“And if I want help I always ask – no one has refused me yet.”

Mr Smith said shop assistants had packed his shopping bag for him when asked and read messages on greeting cards to him to help him choose.

“They’ll come and help me, because I can’t read the thing,” he said.

Mr Smith has had cataracts removed, has macular degeneration and glaucoma in both eyes, plus scar tissue and membrane problems in both eyes.

“I first noticed sight problems seven or eight years ago, and it has gradually gotten worse,” he said.

“It’s like looking through fog – I say I’m blind in one eye and can’t see out of the other.”

Mr Smith has made several life adjustments; relinquishing his driver’s licence, resigning from Horsham’s headquarters fire brigade, and is no longer watching Laharum play football.

“I look at the ground and it’s just a mess, which is a bit disappointing, because I always liked the footy,” he said.

However, he has implemented several changes to ensure he remains as independent as possible. 

“There is a tremendous amount of help out there, and you learn to accept it after a while,” he said. 

“The people at Dovida are tremendous, they take me shopping and to appointments and wherever I want to go.

“I used Community Options’ volunteer drivers in the early stages, and my fellow Lions Club members help me when I need it.

“I also have family nearby, and my neighbours help me.”

Mr Smith has a variety of aids from Vision Australia, including a magnifying device with inbuilt light and colour-changing capability, a safety link medic-alert, talking alarm clock, and a walking cane.

“I think it’s important that if anybody’s got disabilities they don’t be afraid to ask for help,” Mr Smith said.

“I do have my down days, but I also enjoy talking to people and having a joke.

“I am very grateful to the Horsham community who help me when I’m out, and people in cars who stop to let me cross the road – you all do yourselves proud.”

The entire April 16, 2025 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!