Visually impaired author, advocate and inspirational speaker Lois Strachan has been awarded this year's Toastmasters International Presidential Citation.
The 46-year-old, originally from the UK, but who has been living in Cape Town for 20 years, said she was overwhelmed and honoured to have received this prestigious award and strongly admired the Toastmasters International programme and the work they do.
Strachan attended the University of KwaZulu-Natal, obtaining a BA degree in English literature and classical civilisation and an Honours degree in Classical Civilisation.
She also has a diploma in practitioner coaching skills and a certificate in human resource management from Unisa.
“Volunteer organisations don’t always receive the appropriate appreciation that they deserve,” she said
Strachan said she got involved in the programme by chance while researching for a business presentation her husband was doing.
Toastmasters International is a non-profit educational organisation that aims to foster and facilitate communication, public speaking and leadership skills.
Each year the programmeselects individuals who have shown exceptional commitment and support to the organisation.
Strachan lost her eyesight at the age of 21 and is since passionate about de-mystifying blindness and facilitating integration into communities as well as the workplace.
“I think the biggest barrier for visually impaired people is that they are not treated or perceived as being able to do or participate in things because of their disability.”
Along with her recently published book, A Different Way of Seeing: A Blind Woman’s Journey of Living an ‘Ordinary’ Life in an Extraordinary Way, Strachan has also published a children’s series, The Adventures of Missy Mouse.
In her books, Strachan shares personal stories allowing readers to better understand how she accomplished everyday tasks. Her children’s series aims to simply illustrate to younger children how blind people live normal lives.
“Sometimes all people need is a small amount of recognition to feel as though the work that they are doing is being heard and appreciated,” said Strachan.