Podcasts

Retinal Realities

Retinal Realities is our new podcast platform which will be used to engage in discussions on a wide range of topics including:
• Interesting information on retinal degenerative conditions,
• Discussions on the latest and greatest assistive devices and apps which help the visually impaired,
• Conversations and stories covering science, tech, family, relationships, careers, humour, inspirational triumphs, social change and many more arears of interest.

Do you have a retinal condition, or are you a family member of an RD person.
Do you have a story to tell on your life, career, hobby, motivation or a special person or situation that helped, motivate you.
Would you be able to do a short voice interview +- 15 minutes, If YES
Please email us about 7 questions we can ask you during an informal chat.
Mail to Karen@retinasa.org.za or Claudette@retinasa.org.za
This is your opportunity to motivate others.
 
All our podcasts are available on the DAISY Players.
 

EPISODE 13 – WORLD RETINA WEEEK- 24-30 September 2023 – with Claudette Medefindt & Sonya Lee Mahabeer

Retinal Realities Podcast Cover Art Picture

World Retina Week is observed during the week of 24-30 September, it is observed in more than 40 countries to create awareness about retinal vision loss.

On the podcast today we have two dedicated women who are active members of Retina South Africa, Claudette Medefindt who has a 40-year history and Sonya Lee Mahabeer who has just recently brought her enthusiasm and energy to the organisation.

They each share their story on how they became involved in Retina South Africa and how Retina SA has helped them.

Listen to their full story on Spotify at https://bit.ly/3ZB26Kk

EPISODE 12 – NATIONAL WILLS WEEK – with Sonya Lee Mahabeer

Cover Art for Retinal Realities Podcast
On todays episode of the Retinal Realities Podcast we are joined by Sonya Lee Mahabeer who is an admitted attorney who is passionate about ethics, human rights, commercial law, including financial planning law, ESG and Legal Education. She is a member of Retina South Africa and is involved in the Youth and Governance Sub Committees.
 
11-15 September is National Wills Week and Sonya shares with us some insights which will aim to create awareness about drafting a will and testament. She will also discuss the objectives of a will and some legislative requirements.
 
Sonya believes that a will is the most important document that one would ever sign during their lifetime and encourages everyone to use this week to get legal advice and ensure that their will is drafted and regularly reviewed.
 
Having a will is an important part of estate planning and is essential for ensuring that your wishes are carried out after you pass away. A will allows you to designate who will receive your assets and property, and how they will be distributed. It also allows you to name a guardian for any minor children, and to appoint an executor to manage the distribution of your estate.
 

EPISODE 11 – WOMEN WITH VISION – with Dr Farah Moti

Happy Women’s Day!
Today is a day to celebrate the amazing women in our lives and to recognize the incredible contributions they make to our world. Let’s take a moment to appreciate the strong, resilient, and inspiring women who have made a difference in our lives. Here’s to all the women who have made a positive impact on our lives and our world!
On today’s Retinal Realities podcast Karen and Claudette are joined by one of these amazing women, Dr Farah Moti.
She is an Ophthalmic Surgeon with a distinction in her Masters dissertation, a mum of three, President of the Ophthalmological Society of South Africa.
Listen to her story on Spotify at https://bit.ly/44Us50U 
 

EPISODE 10 – WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS – with Grant Medefindt

Retinal Realities Podcast – Episode 10 – With a Little Help from my Friends
Today is International Friendship Day and on the podcast our guest is Grant Medefindt.
 
Grant is co-founder of a successful design agency in Cape Town. They have a growing and impressive portfolio of international corporate clients. After his family, his design and his dogs he is most passionate about his surfing.
 
He has surfed J Bay, Mozambique, Maldives and Banyak Islands in Indonesia. Grant like all other people with Retinitis Pigmentosa has poor contrast vision and depth perception- visual attributes you really need for big wave surfing.
 
Grant is using International Friendship Day to pay tribute to his surf buddies Brett, Brent and Guy who call the waves for him and ensure he drops in safely and successfully.
 
This stunning photo shows Grant coming out of a BIG Barrel on Jailbreaks Atoll in Maldives.
Moments like this bring all adrenaline addicted surfers back time and again looking for one more high as they crest that perfect wave
Listen on Spotify at https://bit.ly/3qdI4rJ or on our website www.retinasa.org.za
 

EPISODE 9 – CHECKMATE – with Luzuko Ngwevwla

Chess is a game of strategy and skill that requires a great deal of concentration and focus. For a visually impaired person, playing chess can be a challenge, but it is not impossible. One of the most inspiring examples of a visually impaired person playing chess is that of Luzuko Ngwevwla from Cape Town. He learned to play chess in Worcester after going blind. Despite his disability, he enjoys playing in chess tournaments in person and online via Skype. There are several ways that a visually impaired person can play chess. One way is to use a tactile chess set, which is a set of chess pieces that have raised bumps on them so that the player can feel the pieces and tell them apart. Another way is to use a Braille chess set, which is a set of chess pieces that have Braille markings on them so that the player can read the pieces and tell them apart.

Listen on Spotify https://bit.ly/43yJBXd

Listen on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/2C2BLho5Rm4

EPISODE 8 – BEYOND THE FINISH LINE !!! YOUTH EDITION – Hilton Langenhoven 

Retinal Realities, Youth Edition celebrates World Youth Skills Day (15 July 2023).
 
On the podcast today Sonya and Samantha are joined by Hilton Langenhoven, who shares his phenomenal journey as a former paralympic athlete, world champion and commonwealth medalist.
 
A story filled with courage, determination, and resilience about “chasing” your dreams and believing in leaps of faith.
 
“Don’t cheat your workout, break-up with your comfort zone” – Hilton Langenhoven
 
Listen on Spotify: https://bit.ly/3OfFyKS
 
Listen on YouTube:
 

EPISODE 7 – IF YOU CAN DREAM IT, YOU CAN ACHIEVE IT!!! YOUTH EDITION –  Charlie Dyasi

Retinal Realities Podcast – Episode 7 – If you can dream it, you can achieve it!!! – Charlie Dyasi
 
On the Youth Edition podcast today, we are joined by Charlie Dyasi and his guide dog Billy.
 
Charlie is an inspiration to many. Despite his glaucoma, he has managed to become a successful sound engineer, voice over artist, radio presenter and podcast host. He has worked hard to develop his skills and knowledge in the music and entertainment industry, ultimately pursuing his childhood dreams.
 
He is an example of how determination and hard work can help you achieve your goals, even when faced with a disability. Charlie together with his guide dog, Billy is no doubt an expression of “the sky is the limit”.
 
“You are only disabled when you let yourself be disabled”, you are as abled as you are letting yourself and your mind be – Charlie Dyasi”
 
Empowering youth today for a brighter tomorrow.
 
Listen on Spotify: 
 
Listen on YouTube:
 

EPISODE 6 – INTRO INTO YOUTH EDITION –  Manny Moodley & Sonya Lee Mahabeer

An introductory podcast which outlines the intention of the Retinal Realities Podcast: Youth Edition founded by Retina South Africa.

This is a platform which will be used to empower, create awareness and support the youth of South Africa, who are living with a retinal condition.

Through interviews with young people, their families and medical professionals the podcast will also explore the challenges and successes of living with a retinal condition.

We encourage the members of the youth to interact with us on our social media platforms and share ideas and topics which may be of value and interest to them.

“Empowering youth today for a brighter tomorrow”

Listen on Spotify https://bit.ly/44nW8O3

Listen on YouTube: https://youtu.be/LHQzFQTTCdA

EPISODE 5 – PAWS AT THE OFFICE –  Mariza Jurgens and Dotty

Welcome to the latest episode on the Retinal Realities Podcast “Paws at the Office” our guests today are Mariza Jurgens and her guide dog Dotty.

Today on Bring your Dog to Work Day we celebrate Dotty.

Mariza is an international renowned advocate for accessibility and is currently on the working group to improve information accessibility for the disabled in South Africa.

Mariza has a visual impairment called Cone Rod Dystrophy. Mariza relies on Dotty and technology to help her navigate the world. Mariza and Dotty have a strong bond, and Dotty has received special training from the Guide Dogs UK to help her with tasks such as crossing the street, avoiding obstacles and finding her way around. Dotty is trained to respond to Mariza’s commands and to alert her to any potential dangers.

Let’s show our appreciation for these amazing animals and the people they help!

Listen on Spotify https://bit.ly/3Pvnf5o

Listen on YouTube
https://youtu.be/4hccacnHeXU

 

EPISODE 4 – OPEN THE LID AND CLIMB OUT –  Alani Ferreira

Happy Youth Day!

We are so excited to have Alani Ferreira on the Retinal Realities podcast this week to remind the youth that they have the power to achieve anything they set their minds to. The message she is trying to get across is “Don’t let your disability limit you”, people are going to try and put you into a box, but the box has a lid, open the lid and climb out.

Alani (25) was diagnosed with Stargardts at age 12. Since then she has completed both her BCom Strategic Management and BCom Honors in Management with distinction and is working in Agriculture! Above this Alani spends her spare time at the pool and is actually a two-time Paralympic swimmer. Last but not least, Alani adventures through life with her side kick and guide dog Gatsby.

Alani is an inspiration to all, showing that even if you face unique challenges due to your visual impairment, you can still reach your goals and make your dreams come true. 

Listen on Spotify https://bit.ly/3JDIM8v

Listen on YouTube
https://youtu.be/LHQzFQTTCdA

EPISODE 3 – WHERE THERE IS A WILL, THERE IS A WAVE – Michele McFarlane – Parasurfer

Picture contains the text Retinal Realities Podcast Ep 3 -If there's a will, there's a Wave w/Michele McFarlane and the Retina SA Logo and Roche Logo are in the left hand corner with a picture of a cross section of the eye in the right hand corner and above it a picture of Michele Mc Farlane on her surfboard

Our guest today on World Ocean Day 8 June 2023 is Michele Mc Farlane – Parasurfer.

In 2005, Michele was diagnosed with 40 degrees vision due to the deteriorating eye disease Retinitis Pigmentosa. 

Two years ago, Michele did an adaptive surf clinic with the Roxy Davis Foundation and with her signature drive entered her first local competition the following year. In December 2022 Michele represented South Africa in the World Parasurfing Championships.

Listen to Michele’s inspiring story. https://bit.ly/3P1L4l7

EPISODE 2 – TRIUMPHANT TRIATHLETE – Linsay Engelbrecht

Picture contains the text Reitnal Realities Podcast Ep 2 - Triumphant Triathlete w/Linsay Engelbrecht and the Retina SA Logo and Roche Logo are in the left hand corner with a picture of a cross section of the eye in the right hand corner and above it a picture of Linsay Engelbrecht

Our guest today on World Bicycle Day 3 June 2023 is Paratriathlete Linsay Engelbrecht.

Linsay was diagnosed with Stargardts Disease – a genetic progressive eye disorder at the age of 23, but this hasn’t stopped her from achieving her goals.

Listen to her story on Spotify at https://bit.ly/45Njo9F

EPISODE 1 – SHARING YOUR STORY – Claudette Medefindt – Head of Science 

Picture contains the text Reitnal Realities Podcast Ep 1 - Sharing Your Story w/Claudette Medefindt and the Retina SA Logo and Roche Logo are in the left hand corner with a picture of a cross section of the eye in the right hand corner

In this episode we talk to Claudette Medefindt, Head of Science at Retina South Africa and she shares a little more about why Retina SA decided to start the Retinal Realities Podcast. 
 
Listen on Spotify https://spoti.fi/42t3M8c
 

PROMO FOR RETINAL REALITIES – Karen Denton

Picture contains the wording Retinal Realities Podcast - Promo w/Karen Denton and a the Retina SA and Roche Products Pty Ltd Logo in the left hand corner and a picture of a cross section of the eye in the right hand cornerIn this promo of the Retinal Realities Podcast Karen Denton Head of Advocacy and Awareness shares what listeners can expect from the Retinal Realities Podcast.
 
Listen on Spotify https://spoti.fi/3MTBM8a

Platinum Gold Radio Podcasts

Listen to the series of past chats with Claudette Medefindt (Head of Science) and Karen Denton (Head of Advocacy and Education) about eye-care, eyesight preservation, eyesight management and daily operations with impaired vision.

For more podcasts goto their website address  www.platinumgoldradio.com