DB Openhand Magazine_June2017

Member Spotlight: Di Wade
We meet inspiring people from all walks of
life at Deafblind UK, but few have shown
as much courage and resilience as Di
Wade, who has not let her illness deter
her from following her dreams.
Di Wade
Registered blind, Di was
born with Antley Bixler
Syndrome, a rare condition
which makes her severely
hearing impaired and unable
to bend her elbows. Despite
these obstacles, Di maintains
a determined spirit with
ambitions of becoming a
bestselling writer.
Globe Trotter
Unwilling to let her condition
get the better of her, Di has
visited corners of the globe
that we can only dream of,
including such adventures as
driving husky sleds in Finland
and walking across China,
Japan, Laos, Cambodia and
the Antipodes. She’s also a
woman of many talents, having
earned a degree in English and
Philosophy as well as a grade
eight in piano and French horn.
Her many hobbies include
horse riding, ice fishing and
tandem cycling!
22 Open Hand
A Sunny Disposition
If there is one thing that
member Di has taught us, it’s
not to take life too seriously.
Di maintains a good sense of
humour on a day to day basis
and recounts memories of
how her daily challenges have
not stopped her. She says:
“As a blind person, I wield a
white stick and my dramas
tend to include things like
trying to post letters in people
wearing red coats or engaging
inanimate objects in animated
conversation.”
The cover of ‘A year
in Verse’ by Di Wade
Di’s poetry
book, A Year in
Verse, is now
available to
buy with some
proceeds going to
Deafblind UK, email
diwadepoetry@gmail.com
to order your copy.
Leaving a gift
in your Will
Here at Deafblind UK, we rely on supporters who leave us a
gift in their Will. Last year these funds allowed us to ensure
that our vital Information & Advice Line was available to each
of our members.
If you would like more information on the difference a gift
from you could make, or any other aspect of leaving a gift in
your Will to Deafblind UK, please feel free to call us on:
0800 132 320
or email:
info@deafblind.org.uk