OUT OF SIGHT NEWSLETTER

Spring is here, but that doesn’t mean we’ve slowed down at Retina South Africa. This edition of the ‘Out of Sight’ newsletter is packed with wonderful activities for you to get involved in, as well as the latest news from our organization. Discover the Marrakesh Treaty, learn about the history of World Retina Day, celebrate the success of our golf day, and find out how you can take a break while raising funds for Retina.

Enjoy your read!
The Editor

Out of Sight October 2024

Hey friends of Retina South Africa! Can you believe August is almost over? Time flies when you’re having fun, and it looks like we’re not slowing down anytime soon at Retina South Africa.

Our calendar is packed, and we’re buzzing with excitement! First up, mark your calendars for the 3rd of September because our Dis-Chem Foundation’s Swing for Sight Golf Day is happening, and guess what? It’s totally sold out! If you’ve snagged a spot, you’re in for a treat. Then, on the 28th of September, get ready to pedal your heart out at our Spin for Sight event, sponsored by the awesome folks at Virgin Active in Bryanston. It’s going to be epic, and we can’t wait to see you there

But wait, there’s more! Early October brings our very first Bowls for Sight, followed by a charity batch entry to the Ride Joburg cycle race. If you’ve never tried spinning, bowls, or golf, now’s your
chance to dive into new experiences and have a blast.

Here’s to a fantastic spring filled with fun, fitness, and making a difference with Retina South Africa. Can’t wait to see you at our events and hear all about your adventures.

Happy reading and much love,
The Editor

Out of Sight – September 2024

Winter’s the perfect excuse to curl up with a good book, or even better, an audiobook. Despite the chill, the Retina Team hasn’t slowed down a bit.

We recently celebrated at the South African Optometric Association’s centenary conference and even snagged an award for our stellar work in the eye care field.

Big shoutout to Manny Moodley, our Chairperson, and Claudette Medefindt, our rockstar National Secretary, for their well-deserved recognition by the optometric community.

This month’s edition is packed with goodies, including a recap of our Mandela Day shenanigans and the debut of a new Barbie doll who’s just like us – visually impaired. Plus, don’t miss out on the scoop from our annual general meeting.

Happy reading!

The Editor

Out of Sight – August 2024

Welcome to the second edition of the Out of Site Newsletter. We are overwhelmed with gratitude for the wonderful feedback and comments we’ve received from you. Your appreciation for our efforts to make this publication accessible to screen reader users has truly warmed our hearts.

June has been a remarkable month for us here at Retina South Africa. We are proud to announce that our chairperson, Manny Moodley, has been re-elected as Deputy President of our organization internationally. This is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our team. Additionally, we celebrate the incredible achievement of Nicolas Dedekind, one of our young members with stargaurds, who won the international disability bowls competition in his sight category. Congratulations to Nicolas and all our members who participated in this competition.

We invite you to listen to the interview with Nicolas featured in this edition. It’s stories like his that inspire us and drive our commitment to inclusivity and accessibility.

Thank you for your continued support. We hope you find this edition as enjoyable to read as we found it to put together. Your feedback is invaluable to us, and we look forward to hearing your thoughts.

Best Regards,

The Editor

Out of Sight – July 2024

Welcome to our very first ‘Out of Sight’ newsletter! We’re thrilled to kick off this journey with you, bringing everyone at Retina SA and our amazing members closer together. Did you know that sight loss is considered the most significant disability in South Africa? According to the 2011 census, 11% of our population reported having a sight challenge. With the rising diabetes epidemic, which often leads to diabetic retinopathy, we’ve seen a surge in our membership at Retina
SA.

This newsletter is our way of showing you the incredible things we’re doing on your behalf. More importantly, we want this to be a two-way street where we hear from you, get you involved in our activities, and build a stronger community together. A big shoutout to our long-time friends and supporters – your dedication means the world to us, and we hope this newsletter brings you even closer to the heart of our organisation.

Our management committee, mostly made up of individuals with sight loss, is committed to working tirelessly for our members across South Africa. Many of our members rely on social grants and the support of family carers, and it’s our mission to make a difference in their lives. Expect to see this newsletter in your inbox monthly, and we’re excited to hear your thoughts and see your
participation.

Cheers,
The Editor.

Out of Sight Newsletter – June 2024