Photo: https://blindlowvision.org.nz/
In his twenties Michael Whittaker started losing his vision due to a progressive condition, retinitis pigmentosa. He was an international model at the time, and still fits in some modelling assignments alongside his studies.
Michael talks to Kathryn about how he's had to adapt to living with deteriorating sight, the help he's received from Blind Low Vision NZ and also the common prejudices he's had to deal with.
Now aged 32, he's at the University of Auckland, working on a PhD in NZ Literature. He is focusing on the inaugural New Zealand Poet Laureate Michele Leggott who also lives with the same progressive condition.
