Blind 84-year-old Palmwoods man walks 6km a day & teaches touch-typing

No excuses ... Des covers about 6km on his daily walk.

If you’re feeling guilty about making excuses to avoid exercise, then this story is not going to help. Des Pampling is 84 years old and he walks about 6km a day. And he’s blind. 

If rain prevents a walk outdoors Des fills in the day on the treadmill in his garage.

Fellow Palmwoods resident Gregory Blaxland called the Gazette and told us we should do a story on his remarkable neighbour. 

Des also sets an example by teaching other blind people how to work on a computer. 

“People often ring up from Vision Australia to ask if I can teach someone how to type,” Des said. “I taught myself how to touch-type in 1992 as I was going blind. I’d never used a computer before. It’s quite simple really if you just position your hands correctly from the start.”

Des also teaches others to navigate everyday programs using ingenious “screenreader” programs to guide his mouse and key movements.

From 2003-2008, while  blind, Des was a volunteer for the Nambour SES  in charge of recording minutes of meetings and keeping time sheets and statistics using a computer. “I was the first person on the Sunshine Coast with a CB radio. That was back in the 60s. We started the  Coast CB radio club.

“I’d like to inspire other people to get out and stay active. It’s important that blind people retain their independence. The technology nowadays helps a lot especially voice recognition. Siri & Google, with their ability to translate voice commands has made life so much easier for us.”

Des has been married for 61 years to Joyce. The couple celebrated their anniversary on September 5. They used to own Pamps Stockfeed in Maleny from 1969-1980.