SEEnic tour at Aoraki Mt Cook gives back sight

An Australian woman got far more than she bargained for last Saturday (1 October) when an Argo tour of Mt Cook’s Tasman Valley, delivered much more than the promised adventure in a majestic environment.

Mrs Joan Gluer was travelling with her daughter Mrs Berna Collier when they decided to join a Tasman Valley Tours (4WD & Argo) in Aoraki Mt Cook National Park. Mrs Gluer (age 77) got bounced around a fair bit but loved the trip and just loved her tour guide (Graeme Slatter) who she nicknamed ‘Handsome Harry’ “I liked his moustache!”

But best of all, after returning to the Hermitage, she found she could see clearly from her bad eye which previously had very limited vision.

“We got a few spins in on the Argo and off we went over rocky terrain, up and down like yo-yos – lucky we had no milk!” said Mrs Gluer. “After the glacier walk that’s part of the tour, Handsome Harry let me sit in the front – it was fabulous. We got back to the hotel and had a coffee and short rest. Then I realized, hang on a minute, I can see!”

”It was a bit like looking through a dirty window, but I could see. We don’t know if it was the jolting about or not but it’s just amazing for me... It didn’t fix my hearing though.”

Mrs Collier said she was almost crying with happiness when her mum said she could see. “I WAS crying with happiness,” said Mrs Gluer.

Mrs Gluer’s eye trouble started about three years ago when she lost 75% vision in her left eye. Following several uncomfortable procedures, including needles in her eye, her sight only improved to 50% vision with no centre (tunnel) vision. Further needle treatment was to be undergone after her return from New Zealand but that now seems unnecessary.

In layman’s terms Mrs Gluer has blood blisters obstructing around one third of the back of her eye which cause black spots in her vision.

To test the newly found sight, the women went straight to see Mount Cook Magic, a 3D movie showing in The Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre at The Hermitage, (3D effects require vision in both eyes) and sure enough both eyes were working.

“I nearly jumped out of my skin a dozen times, I absolutely loved it,” said Mrs Gluer who was able to see the full 3D effect clearly.

Several days later, Mrs Gluer and Mrs Collier are in Dunedin and Mrs Gluer is still enjoying clear vision without the black spots.

“I really think we’ve fixed it. I think this is permanent and I’m delighted.”

For more information visit: www.mountcooktours.co.nz