At the Rotary Club of Victoria, we believe in supporting people who create real impact in the lives of others — even if it begins with something as simple, yet powerful, as walking confidently down a street.
Recently, Rotarian Edward Mullen, a retired Orientation & Mobility Instructor and school teacher, has been working closely with Dominic Denys, a young Seychellois man who lost his sight at the age of five. Now in his 30s, Dominic is learning to travel more independently for the first time — and it’s changing his life.
“Before this, I never believed I could take a bus by myself or get through town,” Dominic shares.
“Now I feel like I can do things on my own — go shopping, run errands, get to places without help. It’s made a big difference for me.”
With Edward’s patient guidance, Dominic has begun developing the confidence and skills needed to navigate his environment using other senses — from listening to traffic patterns to identifying landmarks through touch.
“Edward has helped me put my fears away,” Dominic says. “This training has really done a lot for me.”
For Edward, who recently settled in Seychelles with his wife, sharing his knowledge is a way to give back to the community.
“I may be retired, but I still want to make a difference,” Edward explains.
“If there are young Seychellois interested in learning these skills and helping others who are blind, I’d be happy to pass on what I know.”
While this isn’t part of an official program (yet), it’s a shining example of how one person’s initiative can empower another to regain confidence and independence.
At Rotary, we’re proud to highlight individuals like Edward and Dominic who show that progress doesn’t always come from grand plans — sometimes, it starts with a simple act of support and belief in someone’s potential.
