If David Wilson was your best mate though, he might walk right past you in the street and not say hello. Why? Because David is deafblind.

For David, being described as tunnel-visioned isn't an insult, it's a reality. Born with the rare and hereditary Usher Syndrome Type II, he had less than forty percent hearing at birth and his peripheral eyesight began to deteriorate at 19.

My hearing's never bothered me because I never had it. But my eyesight...that was a bad time.

My family really helped me get over the bad stage and find my feet again. When you get that little gentle kindness it's amazing how far it goes.

His athletic son got him involved in coaching athletics and his rugby playing past drew David to a similar role in junior rugby, which he's kept up for the past seven years - on top of a four-day working week at the freezing works in Ashburton.

Continuing to work has been essential for his self-esteem and confidence.

I do need support from my family to complete some of the household tasks and drive me, but I feel I am doing my share for the family by being able to keep an income coming in.

His work pushing carcasses out of the chiller to be cut up doesn't involve much listening or lip-reading because he works alone, but it is very physical. Every minute of the day takes concentration, watching where he's going, causing high fatigue levels. David has had to reduce his hours to be able to continue his work.

The Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind's deafblind co-ordinator in Christchurch is spending time with David to find a new direction for his life.

We're looking at what I like, what I can do. I'm 44 now. I'd like to be doing something else in about six year's time.

David adds, "In the past being a good lip reader has helped me to be independent. I think I'm a good guesser, but there has been the odd time I've been off the beaten track! Now with my deteriorating eyesight, the guessing isn't so good, so I'm looking at what I am going to do in the future."

In fact, David has a passion for quite literally getting off the beaten track. Four years ago, he walked the Milford track, and has since walked the Queen Charlotte and Abel Tasman tracks.

The only limitation his deafblindness puts in his way in the bush is the low light levels under the forest canopy. It's so dark out there and with the loss of my night vision I sometimes need a guide. So, I always go as part of a team and have a great time with the family or friends.

David's low vision and hearing has not stopped him being employed, going tramping waterskiing, coaching and managing sports teams or restoring furniture.