When Alison’s father became legally blind following the removal of a brain tumour, Vision Australia supported him to make the best use of his remaining vision.
“Vision Australia helped him to remain independent,” says Alison. “My dad was in his late 60s when he lost most of his sight, but his health conditions never got him down. He was the most stoic, positive person, and Vision Australia enabled him to adapt and keep functioning independently.
“Mum and dad would always support Vision Australia after that, and then when dad passed away five years ago, we started donating during Carols by Candlelight.”
Like many Australian families, Alison would watch Carols by Candlelight on the TV every Christmas Eve, but due to always hosting Christmas Day lunch for the family, she never had the time to attend the event in person.
“Every Christmas Eve I’d be at home watching Carols while peeling potatoes and doing all those things, thinking, ‘I would love to go to Carols one day’,” says Alison. “But last year was the first year we were celebrating Christmas the week before, because now the kids are getting older, there’s the extended family to alternate with.”
So, Alison finally made her way into the Sidney Myer Music Bowl on Christmas Eve with her husband, daughter and son-in-law.
“It was even better than I thought it would be. Seeing it on telly, I thought if you’re sitting in the audience, you’ll never see anything, as you’d be miles away [from the stage]. But you actually do get a really good view sitting on the grass, and the atmosphere is amazing.
“I had a really great night. I loved it. I was singing along to all the songs with my daughter. I thought it was fantastic. I’ve watched Carols ever since I was little and I just thought, now I can actually go!”
Thank you Alison for your family’s ongoing support of Vision Australia and our Life Ready program!
