Blind singer's understanding plea

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 4, Issue 11, 12 August 1986, Page 8

Blind singer's understanding plea

County itfusic singer Jack Riggir may not have the ability to see, but his sheer strength of character is compensation enough. Jack, the father of singing star Patsy Riggir, has been blind for ihe last six years and in that time has travelled the country visiting schools to promote awareness of blindness. Jack's loss of sight was gradual over a period of three years, and as a result he had to make many changes in his life. He was forced to sell his farm in Putaruru and make the major adjustments necessary to cope with blindness after a lifetime of sight. Last Tuesday he visited Raetihi School and spoke to pupils about his condition and the role that a sighted person can play in the life of a blind person. His message was that he is human too, a fact that many people seem to forget when confronted by someone who is blind. Jack described himself as "tough as an old boot", but also admitted to loneliness felt in a world without light. The students were encouraged to ask questions, and joined in when Jack sang a song that said much about his own life, "Do what you do, do well". With the aid of a pupil, he demonstrated how a sighted person is able to assist the blind, and emphasised that people need not feel embarrassed or afraid of him, or indeed anyone else different to themselves. The highlight for the children was joining in on the yodelling song.

Since he has been visiting schools, Jack has spoken to over 1 5,000 children and his ambition is to visit every school in New Zealand. The children were amused to find that instead of a whit'e cane. Jack was using a gun cleaning rod. He explained that his cane had been stolen at a recent party.

His travel is a costly affair and he received no financial backup from the Royal NZ Foundation for the Blind because they have insufficient funds. Jack said that he would like to see community organisations such as Rotary or Lions provide sponsor-

ship for his cause and other like himself. "The only way to promote awareness if the people won't come to you, is for you to go to them," he said. Jack Riggir also visited Ohakune and Waiouru schools and spoke to Raetihi and Ohakune Rotary.