As a peer support worker for CNIB, Tommy Leung and his guide dog Elk help people with recent vision loss work through their new reality. (Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Jordan Davidson

peer support

‘Blindness doesn’t mean impossible:’ support group helps people with vision loss adjust and thrive

Oct 4, 2022 | 5:34 AM

NANAIMO — A workshop put on by the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) is helping to empower those with vision loss and break down barriers to inclusion

The CNIB brought their mobile hub program to Nanaimo on Monday, Oct. 3 at the Beban Park Social Centre. The travelling program from the non-profit provides support for people who are partially sighted or blind, in the first in-person events held since the pandemic.

Peer support and advocacy worker for the CNIB, Tommy Leung was originally a participant in the program when a severe case of Glaucoma cost him his eyesight nearly 20 years ago when he was a university student.

“That’s where I kind of build my confidence. Doing new things, learning technology along the way so I don’t need that side of things as much. And that’s also where I was able to discover my own kind of passion helping people.”

Leung said the CNIB peer support programs helped him realize losing your sight didn’t mean losing your place in society.

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“They talked to me about going back to school and having me meet people who have done those kinds of things. It gave me a glimpse of hope showing me that it is possible.”

Thanks to the support groups partnering him up with a ‘vision mate’ to be his eyes while navigating his new life, and a new support dog, Leung was able to finish school with a degree in counselling and started volunteering with CNIB.

“It was kind of a 180-degree turn, because I come from the South East Asian community where any kind of disability… you don’t have much of a future, and that’s kind of where my beliefs came in. And then I was like, ‘Oh actually, this is not true’, and I wanted to preach the gospel to people in my community and tell them it’s not really the case.”

Not a peer support worker with CNIB, Leung, along with his golden lab guide dog Elk, wanted to help people who were in a similar situation he was in when he first lost his sight.

“We live in a world where not all things are accessible, or things needed to be made better for people with sight loss, so a lot of time that can become a barrier. So that’s where I come in and let them know that they can learn things to help better their life. They don’t have to feel as alone or isolated.”

Shoko Kitano is the CNIB provincial director for Western Canada, and is legally blind herself, using a white cane to navigate.

She said they are thrilled to be back in person, as doing sessions like these virtually wasn’t very beneficial to those still adjusting to life without their vision.

“It’s mainly around quality of life programs… we talk about accessible technology, we have peer support that is mainly for people who are new to vision loss. People are able to meet with others who are in the same boat experiencing sight loss, and be able to feel like they are not alone.”

She spoke about their Come to Work program, where they reach out to employers to try and break down barriers and reduce the stigma around vision loss, so their participants can be ready for gainful employment.

“Meet others in a community who have sight loss as well because it’s a very isolating experience to be losing sight. And also to learn something that they can be independent… We really try to inspire and encourage everybody. Blindness doesn’t mean impossible.”

She said advancements in technology have come a long way in helping those with vision loss, with things like talk-back features on cell phones helping to level the playing field.

The CNIB mobile hub will be in Comox on Tuesday, Oct. 4 and head up to Campbell River the following day.

For more information on CNIB’s programs and services, visit cnib.ca.

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jordan@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @JordanDHeyNow