Ted O'Dwyer (London) Ted has been a member of Outsiders since 1988. In 1997 he offered to come into the office to answer the telephone. Having partially sighted till the age of twelve when he lost all sight, and trained by the Samaritans, he provided good practical help and much inspiration to our members. When Outsiders was short of money in 1999, Ted helped us in all kinds of ways, including allowing us to use a room in his house to run the club.
In 2000, Ted received a phone call asking if he was, indeed Ted O'Dwyer. and if he was blind. On answering to the affirmative, the woman on the line declared that she had at last found her father! Dawn invited Ted to visit her and her family in New Zealand. Ted travelled half way around the world to meet his "new" daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren, and the next year they came to London to stay with him. Visits are now annual. This year, Ted gave up all voluntary work because of pains he has been experiencing due to stress. He lives alone in North East London, and still enjoys a very active life, being a keen member of Aquabats, where VI and sighted people mess about in water.