Ever since Penny Stevenson was 11 years old, her dream has been to help people who are blind or have low vision.
But what makes Penny's success story so different to any other is that she is legally blind and has been since birth.
"I was really inspired by my very first Orientation & Mobility (O&M) Division instructor from Vision Australia, who taught me how to walk to school by myself," says Penny.
"I went to mainstream school throughout my life and received the same message as my sighted peers — that I could do anything."
After years of education and perseverance, Penny's dream job eventually became a reality when the 29 year old joined a specialist team in Vision Australia's Seeing Eye Dog, O&M Division.
The team assesses and trains people who are blind or have low vision in orientation and mobility skills, including how to use long canes or their remaining vision effectively.
"When I first mentioned that I wanted to become an orientation and mobility instructor, there were a lot of naysayers. Naturally I was a bit affronted.
"However, I am one of those people who doesn't take no for an answer, giving everything a go. As O&M is my passion I always believed I could do it," says Penny.
Penny uses Braille and magnification technology to read important documents at work. And, because she's a perfectionist, before she even meets a client, she'll familiarise herself with a location by walking the route with her adorable Seeing Eye Dog Hermione.
"I believe that until people have enough guts to break the mould, there are still going to be stereotypes about what people who are blind or have low vision can do. It takes determination and confidence in yourself to achieve your goals, and Vision Australia has given me belief."
Penny is just one of the individuals who Vision Australia have inspired. Learn more about
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