Stories to Tell

As her powerful singing fills the Old Saint Paul's Church in Thorndon, Wellington, one forgets the storm raging outside. Caitlin Smith is legally blind, or more specifically she has achromatopsia; with 5% vision in her left eye, 10% in the right, total colour blindness and extreme light sensitivity. She describes sunlight as complete 'white-out'. Caitlin and percussionist Mark Lockett both use their visual disability as the inspiration behind the launch of Stories to Tell – part of the recent Disabilities Awareness Campaign 2013. Stories to Tell is a charity performance raising awareness for PVINZ, or Parents of Vision Impaired New Zealand, the unsung heroes advocating for their differently abled children.

Lynda braves a storm to hear Caitlin perform and to speak to two dedicated parents and founding members of PVINZ whose battles over the decades have brought remarkable change to the way we perceive children with disabilities.

Paul Manning and David Heather for the Visibility Awareness Campaign

Audience give standing ovation

Blind kids are us

Stories To Tell jazz concert

Children enjoy the show

All generations in the audience

Jazz musicians and fans in audience

Singer Caitlin Smith and Mark Lockett on drums

PVINC executive officer Paul Manning accepts flowers

Front row seats

Think Differently Stories To Tell performance at Old Saint Paul's

Rhonda Heather with fundraising items

Songbird Caitlin Smith - Stories To Tell

Stories To Tell at Old Saint Paul's

Percussionist Mark Lockett

Stories To Tell raise funds for PVINZ

The jazz pianist

A venue with character - Old Saint Paul's

The images in this gallery are used with permission and are subject to copyright conditions.