Navigating life as a legally blind woman with only 10% central vision | 60 Minutes Australia

Since winning Big Brother Australia in 2003, Reggie Sorensen (then Reggie Bird) has gone through some tough times, especially with regards to her health. In this 2009 interview with 60 Minutes, the down-to-earth battler from Tasmania talks about being declared legally blind, after she was diagnosed with the rare eye disease, retinitis pigmentosa. This disease has left her with only 10% of her central vision and no night vision. Because it's hereditary, she was worried she would pass it on to her children.

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[rjderama]

As a legally blind person, sharing stories like this are so helpful to bring awareness and compassion to our lives.

Best of luck, Reggie. All of your visually impaired ohana up here in the Orange County have got your back!

[kathrynoneill]

Bless her heart. She is so strong and such a good mom.

[พรทิพย์หลีจาง]

Reggie, I can clearly understand what you are going are going through!!! I hope you can read my message, because I am also suffering with the same problem! I am already 40 years old, and my left eye is completely became blind- I can still see with my right eye but it's 50%. Even me I am hoping for a miracle! All I can say is at the moment is, "there are still millions of good people (scientiest) trying their best to solve the problems like our eyes cases"! We will finish this fight together even though we don't know each other and we are living miles away. I hope thats this will not be may last message before I completely go blind. Praying for you and your loves one. Thank you for sharing! I always thought I am only the one that suffer with this eye disease. Shalom!

[margovolterra]

My soul mate is totally blind. He was a preemie which took his vision. He uses a guide dog to get around and races sail boats. He also manages the house. No flys on him.

[jojowynne]

Wow this is so old! I can tell you personally Reggie is a beautiful person inside and out who continues to keep that positive attitude despite life throwing more curve balls at her that are truly unfair. One of them being her unborn child in this video, Lucas, was born with Cystic Fibrosis.
Reggie fights hard for the cause and her son. Mia is a gorgeous teen. They kids have good hearts like their mum who has been a single mum for years.

It’s so lovely to see such kind and positive comments about someone I care very much about. Reggie is worth it all. She has the courage and strength of a pride of lions 🦁 ❤️❤️

[jameshoffman]

What an amazing lady.. no other words needed here.

[donwilliams]

Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) is a devastating disease. One of the first symptoms is not actually tripping over things, it is loss of night time vision or seeing in the dark, even looking in a not well lit cupboard (Nyctalopia). There is an optical device call Oxsight that helps to improve peripheral vision. RP patients often end up with cataracts. Professor S. Downes in Oxford (UK) here are doing various trials and some are looking really promising (without raising hope). I often refer patients to Professor S. Downes-worth getting in touch with her department in Oxford. Might be worth exploring if Oxsight would help. The hereditary aspect of RP is quite complex and still poorly understood. From y experience, children are often ok but worth going through the whole genetic tests. I wish Reggie all the best.

[FigaroHey]

I had lens replacement after developing a serious cataract. It was an extraordinary change, after decades of wearing glasses or contacts with a strength of -6, going to being able to see really only from one eye (I would walk around with the cataract eye shut as it wasn't really helping me see) to seeing clearly was astonishing. Lens replacement in one eye and a contact lens in the other eye - no glasses - and I feel like I see normally. I can even thread a needle now, thanks to the artificial lens being designed for close-up vision. I hope medical science finds solutions for this lady and others with her condition.

[angellynne]

😢 I was diagnosed with this but it didn’t progress. Most tests and I have Retina pavers. Odd thing no Peripheral vision but straight ahead is 20/20- I’m the 1%. Prayers to her and her beautiful family.

[tracybeauregard]

My son was diagnosed with RP when he was 17. He had always been visually impaired but we never knew the exact reason until seeing a cornea specialist. He is almost 34 and his vision in his left eye is almost non-existent. He did the genetic testing last year and we found out I'm the carrier. That broke my heart. If I had one wish for him, it'd be that he could see and watch his little girl grow up.

[Bront]

Luv Reggie she has been through so much and she still inspires others like me

[CharlotteAnderson-ihpc]

The government has really called things more difficult for its citizens, and we can't sit back and bear all the consequences of the bad governance. It's obvious we are headed for hyperinflation, it is always the poor who take the hit.

[tessietesoro]

She's so pretty, God bless her ! Her smile is captivating !

[YoSmoked]

*I hope this channel never ends and keeps spreading happiness.❤😊*

[johnrobinson]

Yes I know that it’s called RP it hit me at age 48 and now I’m 57

[cheryl]

SHE’S A VERY BRAVE WOMAN, AND I REALLY ADMIRE HER POSITIVITY.
THERE’LL BE PRAYERS FOR REGGIE IN MY HOME TONIGHT.
IF IT DOES HAVE TO BE I HOPE IT’S A LONG TIME AWAY. 🙏🏼

[petervasquez]

I truly feel for Reggie, I'm 41 years old and I went blind 32 years ago on my 9th birthday. my retina detached and doctor said there was nothing they can do. sending big hugs to Reggie Dale and Mia. I'm also a guitar/piano player I'm in a 2 piece band called Peter and Gabby band on YouTube. among other hands-on instruments, I have 7 fingers, 3 nubs and 1 leg. I'm also a piano tuner. LOL I had so much off and on depression from teenage years even sometimes today but I try to snap out of it as fast as I can, if there's a way I can reach y'all, I would love to be a pillar of support

[chrisgomez]

Seeing what she sees breaks my heart. I pray they find a cure and FAST.

[veritawallace]

My dad had macular degeneration and did go blind. Is that genetic also? Sure feel badly for Reggie, not to see her precious children is awful 😞 ❤

[styyle]

I have it and independence is slowly disappearing