N.Z.’s first blind lawyers

Press, 8 May 1980, Page 6

N.Z.’s first blind lawyers

“I am not a blind person: I am just a person who cannot see,” '- says Mr Paul Hutcheson, a law graduate. Although he and Mr Peter Hoskin will be the first totally blind students to graduate in law when they attend the graduation ceremony in Auckland today, Mr Hutcheson does not want his blindness over-played.. “If you put any bull in the story we will come down and beat you with our white sticks,” he said. “If I hadn’t 'been in the pub for the last four hours., I wouldn’t be talking to you.” Mr (Hutcheson, aged 25, was bom in Christchurch. He went blind at the- age of eight 'through retinal de-

Itachment. When he was 101 I his family moved to Auck-j ; land'so that he could attend |Homai College, a special) school for the blind. He; later studied arts subjects atl ' Auckland Grammar School, I Mr Hutcheson said he was i attracted to law because it; had an academic element but) also had “its feet on the ground.” His blindness did not deter him. “You have to get on and do it an dto hell with all the, problems in between,” he, said. “I didn’t do it to prove, that blind people can do it. I I did it to prove that I could do it.” Mr Hutcheson said far more commendation was due to his “wonderful” family and friends. University

study had presented some problems because of its high visual content but a team of about 15. students had spent hours each week reading to: him voluntarily. Some infor-l mation had been taped. Mr Hutcheson is quick to; point out that he has other; interests besides law, “which can be boring.” He enjoys; ski-ing with the help of a' guide and rides a 10-speed tandem bicycle. He is also interested in politics and' jogging. He is “quietly confident”: about getting a job. He said, that at first he would prob-; ably need extra secretarial help' because of the - numberof documents involved ini

• I law but technological dei; velopments would make it ' easier. : “I am mindful of the diffi>i culties that I have but I • [think I will manage if there i is some understanding.” i, At the moment he is com- •; pleting his professionals and i so he has no definite job ;; prospects. i' Although most people I have encouraged the, two to F finish their studies, Mr Hosi • kin, aged 22, was told by one ; lawyer that he had "no hope” of getting a job. Mr ’ • Hoskin also lost his sight at I i the age of eight because of . ■ retinal detachment. ‘ ’ , ‘ Mr -Hutcheson said this afternoon’s ceremony? would '/mark the end of old . i fight” for both of them.