WHEN Ardross resident Liz Wilk suddenly fell ill five years ago, she initially made light of her situation.
“Smudges appeared in my vision and I began bumping into things but I dismissed it as clumsiness and just being tired,” she said.
“Then I was diagnosed with a condition called autoimmune retinopathy—my own body was attacking and killing the cells in my eyes.
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READ NOW“I feared waking up blind every day.”
Once an active and independent individual, Mrs Wilk soon felt like a burden on her loved ones.
“I often resented having to be ‘looked after’ at night and in dim lighting,” she said.
“I spent the last few years attending only a handful of social gatherings during the day and I spent most of my time hiding out at home.”
It took a long time, but with the unwavering support of her husband Lucas and their family, Mrs Wilk gained a different perspective.
Although she does not have one herself, Mrs Wilk is now aiming to raise $35,000 to sponsor a guide dog puppy for someone else with failing vision.
“A person’s mental wellbeing is so important and it can often be impacted by isolation or the loss of freedom and independence,” she said.
“I believe that if I could raise money for just one guide dog, the life of one person in need would change for the better.”
Since September, Mrs Wilk and her husband have held a movie fundraiser and a sausage sizzle and their major event “Come Dine With Me” is on November 17 at the Ambrose Estate Wembley Golf Course.
The night will feature blindfolded dancing, a jazz trio and an auction with vision-impaired four-time Paralympic swimmer Jeremy McClure also in attendance.
Tickets cost $125 and include all food and drinks. Alternatively, direct donations can be made at https://guidedogswa.everydayhero.com/au/fund-a-guide-dog.
THE ESSENTIALS
WHAT: Come Dine With Me fundraiser for Guide Dogs WA
WHEN: Thursday, November 17
WHERE: Ambrose Estate, Wembley Golf Course
TICKETS: $125 – email lucasliz@iinet.net.au