Retinal Realities

12/12/2025

📢 Message from our Chairperson

“Grateful to close my first year as Chairperson of Retina South Africa alongside such dedicated staff, members, volunteers, EXCO, partners and supporters. Thank you for helping us grow bigger, better and bolder — here’s to an incredible year ahead.
With gratitude,
Sonya Lee Mahabeer”

image description Graphic with Retina SA logo and a circular photo at the top. Text reads: “Grateful to close my first year as Chairperson of Retina South Africa alongside dedicated staff, members, volunteers, EXCO, partners and supporters. Thank you for helping us grow bigger, better and bolder – here’s to an incredible year ahead. With gratitude, Sonya Lee Mahabeer

02/12/2025

💙 Your R100 ticket brings hope to children living with inherited retinal conditions - and could send you to Zanzibar!

👉 Enter here: https://retinasa.org.za/shop/Raffle-Zanzibar-Luxury-Getaway-p744675228

Promotional graphic for a Giving Tuesday raffle. The background shows a vibrant sunset over a beach with palm trees and orange, purple, and pink skies. Large text reads: ‘WIN a 7-night trip for two to Zanzibar, Michamvi Sunset Bay Resort.’ Icons indicate 7 nights, 2 people, and return flights. Ticket price is R100. Closing date: 31 December 2025. Draw date: 30 January 2026. Includes Retina South Africa logo and sponsor information.

01/12/2025

🎙 New Episode Alert!

November marked both Diabetes Awareness Month and Disability Awareness Month. To reflect on these important observances, Retinal Realities brings you an inspiring conversation with Kaylin Otto, who turned a life-changing diagnosis of Diabetic Retinopathy into a journey of resilience and purpose.

💡 Hear how Kaylin rebuilt her life, embraced new opportunities, and learned to thrive with vision loss. Her story is filled with hope, practical advice, and a powerful reminder: "Believe in yourself and never give up".

👉 Listen now: https://youtu.be/r1d3P8_SwMg

🔔 Subscribe for more empowering stories that inform and inspire!

image description Graphic promoting the “Retinal Realities Podcast” episode 30 titled “Defying Diabetes.” The design features a blue background with radiating lines, a microphone icon, and bold white text for the podcast name. A label in orange reads “EP. 30,” and a large white box contains the episode title.” At the bottom, are logos for Retina SA and Roche. An orange banner on the right includes the text “w/ Kaylin Otto.

November marked both Diabetes Awareness Month and Disability Awareness Month. To reflect on these important observances, Retinal Realities brings you an insp...

21/11/2025

🎧 Retinal Realities – Episode 29: Redefining Independence – Caryl’s AMD Journey

In this powerful edition, host Claudette Medefindt sits down with Caryl Baum, a retired lawyer, mother, grandmother, and visionary advocate living with Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD).

Brought to you by Roche Products South Africa, this episode explores the emotional and practical realities of vision loss — from diagnosis to daily life.

Caryl shares her deeply personal journey, the impact of losing central vision, and the adaptive tools and mindset that help her thrive. From white canes and screen readers to scrapbooking and travel, she proves that vision loss doesn’t mean losing your purpose.

Whether you're newly diagnosed, supporting a loved one, or simply curious about retinal health, this episode offers insight, hope, and practical advice. Tune in and be inspired by Caryl’s resilience, humour, and unwavering spirit.
Listen now 🔗https://youtu.be/HpvFLcEKTE8

📲 Subscribe to Retinal Realities on your favourite podcast platform

image description Promotional graphic for Episode 29 of the Retinal Realities Podcast titled “Redefining Independence – Caryl’s AMD Journey.” The image features Caryl in a blue Retina South Africa shirt, with podcast branding, a microphone icon, and logos for Retina South Africa and Roche. A stylized anatomical eye graphic appears alongside the title, highlighting the focus on Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) and personal stories of vision loss.

In this powerful edition, host Claudette Medefindt sits down with Caryl Baum, a retired lawyer, mother, grandmother, and visionary advocate living with Age-R...

03/11/2025

Episode 28 - Empowered to Educate - Pieter’s Stargardt Story

In this inspiring episode of Retinal Realities, we sit down with Peter Lindeque, a passionate educator and founder of an online tutoring platform designed for learners with Stargardt’s disease and other visual impairments. Diagnosed at age 10, Peter’s path was shaped by uncertainty, resilience, and the unwavering support of his family. His story is a testament to the power of education—not just as a tool for learning, but as a weapon for transformation.

Peter shares how perseverance and purpose helped him overcome self-doubt and build a mission-driven platform rooted in patience, inclusivity, and lifelong learning. His philosophy as an educator reminds us that great teachers don’t just teach—they inspire growth, confidence, and possibility.

Tune in to discover how Pieter turned personal challenges into a movement for empowerment, and how his work continues to light the way for learners navigating life with low vision.

YouTube Link https://youtu.be/_Ya6240hRDw

image description Promotional graphic for Episode 28 of the "Retinal Realities Podcast" by Retina South Africa. Title reads "Empowered to Educate: Pieter’s Stargardt Story." Features a photo of Pieter Lindeque in graduation attire holding a diploma. Design includes a microphone icon, blue and white colour scheme, and the tagline "a Cure in Sight for Blindness

In this inspiring episode of Retinal Realities, we sit down with Peter Lindique, a passionate educator and founder of an online tutoring platform designed fo...

12/08/2025

🌟New Episode Alert: Retinal Realities Podcast 🌟

In honour of Women’s Month, we’re celebrating strength, spirit, and unstoppable determination.

🎧 Meet Kathleen Flanagan — or Kat, as her friends call her. Diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa at age 5, Kat has never let vision loss dim her drive. From climbing trees and dancing ballroom to earning degrees in fashion and accounting, she’s done it all. And her true passion? Sport. 🏃‍♀️🏊‍♀️🚴‍♀️

This year, Kat completed her first full Ironman — and she’s already training for the next. Her story is a powerful reminder: women who dare, redefine what’s possible.

💬 Tune in to hear how Kat challenges perceptions and inspires change.
🔗 https://youtu.be/i8X1ZW9k_NY

image description Promotional graphic for Episode 27 of the Retinal Realities Podcast, titled “Women’s Month Spotlight: ‘Strength in Motion’” featuring Kathleen (Kat) Flanagan. Kat, a woman in athletic gear, stands beside her guide dog. The background includes Retina SA logo and circular retinal imagery.

Hello and welcome to Retinal Realities, the podcast where we challenge perceptions, celebrate resilience, and amplify voices from the visually impaired commu...

02/07/2025

Episode 26 - From Canvas to Counselling - Art, Loss, and Healing Through Psychology with Alexandra Makhlouf

Welcome to another powerful episode of Retinal Realities, where we explore vision loss, resilience, and the human spirit.

In this heartfelt conversation, we meet Alexandra Makhlouf an artist and aspiring therapist based in Johannesburg. She has exhibited her work both locally and internationally. After experiencing significant vision loss in adulthood, Alexandra shifted her attention to psychology, completing an Honours degree with distinction at the University of the Witwatersrand.

She has an interest in working at the intersection of mental health and disability, currently volunteering as a lay counsellor with the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) and recently having launched an online mental health support group for people living with disabilities.

Whether you live with vision loss or support someone who does, this episode is a tribute to vulnerability, perseverance, and the healing power of human connection.

🔔Don’t forget to subscribe, like, and share this video.
🌐 Visit us at retinasa.org.za for more stories and support.

video description The video shows a blue background with podcast branding on the left and a photo of Alexandra on the right. She is standing outdoors with a guide dog, wearing dark sunglasses and a navy outfit. The Retina SA logo appears at the bottom.











Listen here 🔗
https://youtu.be/QwQaS2TZyCg

Welcome to another powerful episode of Retinal Realities, where we explore vision loss, resilience, and the human spirit.In this heartfelt conversation, we m...

21/06/2025

New Episode Alert: Retinal Realities Podcast 🎧

This , we’re celebrating the power of yoga to bring calm, strength, and connection — especially for those living with vision loss.

In this special episode, we speak with Claudette Medefindt, Secretary of Retina SA - A cure in sight and a dedicated yoga teacher. Claudette shares her inspiring journey of resilience and mindfulness, blending her passion for yoga with her lived experience of vision impairment.

🌿 Discover how yoga can heal body, mind, and spirit — and learn simple practices you can start today, no matter your ability.

🧘‍♂️ Take a deep breath... and tune in now to this moving conversation.
🎙️ Listen here: https://bit.ly/4lfkQIF

Namaste!


image description Podcast cover for "Retinal Realities Podcast" Episode 25 titled "Finding Balance: Yoga, Vision Loss, and Inner Strength." The episode features Claudette Medefindt, pictured on the right with hands in a prayer position, wearing a green shirt with the word "Namaste."

Welcome back to another inspiring episode of Retinal Realities, the podcast that brings you stories of strength, insight, and perseverance from the world of ...

11/05/2025

Happy Mother’s Day!

Today, we celebrate the love, strength, and wisdom of mothers everywhere. Your guidance shapes futures, your kindness brings comfort, and your resilience inspires.

Thank you for all that you do.

image description Gift box with flowers and 'Happy Mother's Day' text in a pink circle overlay
❤️

11/04/2025

📣Important Update: The Retina SA - A cure in sight Contact Numbers Have Changed! 📣

We're thrilled to announce our updated contact information! 📞 New Numbers:
Head Office: 010 497 9489
WhatsApp: 082 074 7116

You can now reach us at these new numbers for all your inquiries and support. We're always here to assist you! 😊

image description Retina South Africa logo with the tagline 'A Cure in Sight for Blindness'. Below it, bold white text on a blue background reads: 'New Contact Numbers Alert – Reach us at our new number!'. Head Office: 010 497 9489. WhatsApp: 082 074 7116.








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28/02/2025

🌟 Rare Disease Day 2025: Shining a Light on Rare Retinal Diseases! 🌟

This Rare Disease Day (28 Feb 2025), Retina South Africa highlights the challenges and breakthroughs in rare retinal diseases with expert Claudette Medefindt on our latest podcast episode! 🎙️
🔍 Did you know?
👁️ Rare retinal diseases affect fewer than 1 in 10,000 people.
🧬 Genetic testing is key to accurate diagnosis, with over 300 genes linked to these conditions.
💡 Exciting advancements like gene therapy & CRISPR bring hope for future treatments!
💙 Managing life with a rare retinal disease? Prioritize healthy living, screen breaks, and expert guidance—and remember, you're not alone! Retina SA is here to support you.
🎧 Listen now & learn more: https://youtu.be/VFQvmfHNHK8

Chan Zuckerberg Initiative
Amgen
RAREis
Retina SA - A cure in sight

image description Retinal Realities Podcast Art



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🌟 Rare Disease Day 2025 - Shining a Light on Rare Retinal Diseases! 🌟This Rare Disease Day (28 Feb 2025), Retina South Africa highlights the challenges and...

13/12/2024

✨🎄 Dear Friends,
As the year ends, we’re filled with gratitude for your incredible support. 💖

Your dedication has helped us achieve so much and bring hope to those we serve. 🌟

Wishing you a joyful, peaceful, and love-filled holiday season. 🎁❄️

Let’s embrace the new year with excitement and determination to make an even greater impact together!

Thank you for being part of our amazing community. 💫
Season’s Greetings & Best Wishes for 2025! 🥂🎉

NB!!! The Retina SA offices will be closed for the festive season from Friday, 13 December, and we will reopen on Monday, 6 January. In case of an emergency please contact Claudette on 083 306 5262.

❤️