Swim for a good cause

SWIMMING enthusiasts can look forward to kicking off summer by participating in the first open water swim hosted by the Guide Dog Association of South Africa (GDA).

The Big Splash will be held on 25 November in the canal in front of the Zululand Multi Sport Club (ZMSC), and the categories include a fun 200m swim (R50 entry fee), 800m (R100 entry fee) and a 1 600m (R150 entry fee).

The 1 600m swim will be a qualifier for next year’s Midmar Mile, so there is no reason for avid swimmers not to participate.

Entries are already open and the first 200 entrants will receive a free goodie bag.

‘We are looking forward to this inaugural Big Splash and foresee it becoming an annual event,’ said GDA KZN Marketing Manager, Ané Roux.

‘The aim of the swim is to raise awareness of the GDA and what we do, as well as to raise much-needed funds.’

GDA focuses on improving the lives and mobility of people with visual impairments and physical disabilities.

Relying on sponsorship and donations, the association trains dogs produced from specially selected stock.

At a cost of R100 000 per dog, they are trained to be guide dogs for the visually impaired, service dogs for the physically challenged, or autism support dogs.

And people who benefit from the use of these dogs pay just R5.

One such guide dog beneficiary is Richards Bay’s Lisa Visagie, to whom her dog, Bagheera, or Baggy, has been a tremendous help.

Lisa was born with congenital cataracts which were removed but, at the age of just 19, she lost her sight after her condition caused glaucoma, and she experienced post-operation complications.

‘When I first lost my sight, I had to rely on other people to take me everywhere, which meant I could not be independent,’ said Lisa.

‘But my first guide dog, Pamela, made me realise that I could actually live a life without too many restrictions.

Guide dogs retire at about eight years of age and Lisa then got Baggy from the association.

Now a counselling psychologist with a PhD, Lisa has not let her lack of sight hinder her in any way, and she and Baggy even travelled to the USA where they spent four months for Lisa’s studies.

‘That was a huge experience for both of us, but Baggy was amazing both on the flights and with guiding me in the USA, even on the streets of New York.’

Lisa has now started her own business, assessing school children for subject choice and career choices.

For more information on the Big Splash, or to enter, visit the ZMSC website – www.zmsc.co.za or email zmsc@telkomsa.net.

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