Rachela's Story

Rachel Alivale is a Samoan born originally from Hawkes Bay now living in Wellington City.

 

We sat down with Rachel to discuss the new Pacific Collective Social Hub that will be established in Wellington soon.

 

Rachel is 28 years old and the oldest of five siblings. She is visually impaired and is classified as legally blind on the low spectrum of Stargardt. This is an inherited eye condition that affects the mascular.

 

The macular is the area on the retina that provides central vision. Someone with Stargardt has a reduction in their central vision and difficulty reading or seeing in dim light. 

 

Rachel enjoys photography and creating mini content for social media. She also likes listening to podcast on true crime, watching documentaries and anime'.

 

Introducing Rachel Alivale:

 

 - How has your journey been like as a Pacific disabled person?

 

"Well, I'm a very direct person, to keep it simple it's been rough. In the Pacific community having a disability is a little tabooed, no one wants to truly discuss or acknowledge that I have a disability. Everyone in the family suddenly became a Doctor/eye specialist. I grew up hearing a lot of misinformation alongside the cultural limited understanding of what disability is. I navigated through my disability on my own with the support of the Blind Foundation later on in my early teens. The language barrier was a major issue, we had to have translators explain the situation to my parents. There were times when it wasn't translated properly so I became the translator for my parents."

 

 - How important is connectedness to you?

 

"It is very important. It can determine life or death for people, especially for someone with a disability, it is a necessity to connect with people that either have similar experiences or medical conditions to your own. Gaining the appropriate information and accepting your disability, can offer a means to how someone can live their life to the fullest. Altogether this can prevent or at least minimise negative perceptions and mental health issues that may arise. People should understand that having a disability can naturally cause mental illnesses as it can be a traumatizing experience."

Do you think we need a support group for Pacific Disabled, carers and families group in the community?

Yes, I definitely believe that we should have a support group, ideally subcategories by age for those with a disability. Family, friends, and carers should have their own support group. This is essential as it offers a safe space for everyone to interact, share and gain knowledge about disability within the pacific community."

- What is your hope in joining the Pacific Collective Social Hubs in Wellington?

"My hope is to meet new people, and to gain a better understanding through their real life lived experiences and to be more informed and educated on all disabilities."

- Any last encouraging words?

"To research and educate yourself on your own condition, to have empathy instead of sympathy, and to always remember that having a disability is not a personality and it will never define who you become in life."

Rachel hopes to have a career path that she is passionate about, where she can grow professionally and personally. Her dream is for her family to have long-term success and good health.

"Thank you, Rachel, for your time talking to us."