CNIB-NL October-December 2014 Newfoundland and Labrador Newsletter October – December 2014 In this issue: Editor's Corner Inspirational Quote Letter from CNIB-NL Highlight of Staff Members Robert Sterling’s Story CNIB Updates Community Partner Updates We Are Here For You - Contact Us Editor’s Corner Welcome to our first edition of CNIB-NL newsletter! From here, you can explore more about our programs and services, true stories from our clients, and also get updates from our community partners. We would like to give a huge thank you to everyone who has contributed to make this newsletter possible! - Estelle Li Inspirational Quote “You are the driver of your own life; don’t let anyone steal
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CNIB-NL October-December 2014
Newfoundland and Labrador Newsletter
October – December 2014
In this issue:Editor's CornerInspirational QuoteLetter from CNIB-NLHighlight of Staff MembersRobert Sterling’s StoryCNIB UpdatesCommunity Partner UpdatesWe Are Here For You - Contact Us
Editor’s Corner
Welcome to our first edition of CNIB-NL newsletter! From here, you can explore more about our programs and services, true stories from our clients, and also get updates from our community partners. We would like to give a huge thank you to everyone who has contributed to make this newsletter possible!
- Estelle Li
Inspirational Quote
“You are the driver of your own life; don’t let anyone steal your seat.”
CNIB-NL October-December 2014
Letter from CNIB-NL
Dear Readers,
CNIB-NL is pleased to present the first edition of this newsletter for people that are blind or partially sighted in Newfoundland and Labrador. We will use this newsletter as a means to report articles that may be of interest to anyone concerned with vision rehabilitation. It is our hope that this newsletter will help in our efforts to enhance communication with the people we serve.The newsletter is not intended to be solely a CNIB publication, and we invite input from individuals or groups that may have items to share. This issue has been compiled by CNIB staff, volunteers, clients, and members of the CCB. It is our goal to present a wide variety of articles dealing with topics such as assistive devices, personal interest stories, and everything in between. Please contact us if you have something you would like to share. We hope you enjoy this first edition, and we look forward to hearing your feedback.
Sincerely,
Duane Morgan
Manager, Programs and Services
Deborah Wearn
Provincial Director
Highlight of Staff Members:
CNIB-NL October-December 2014
Augusta Houlihan and Amy Gillard
This past March, Augusta Houlihan served the last days of her 32 years of dedicated service with CNIB. As Administrative Assistant in St. John’s Centre, Augusta, or “Gusi”, helped many clients with supportive services, and also ran the CNIB store. After having her with us for so long and being the first person seen when walking through CNIB’s front doors; clients and staff will certainly notice a change. We wish you all the best in your retirement Gusi!
On March 18th, 2014, CNIB hired a new Administrative Assistant for St. John’s Centre. Amy Gillard moved to St. John’s from Placentia in 2010, studying office administration at College of the North Atlantic. Amy has also been a client with CNIB since 2008. Amy is now the friendly face greeting those who walk into St. John’s office, and assumes responsibilities for requests for services, concessions, and the CNIB store. Welcome Amy! You can contact Amy at 1-800-563-2642 or by email at [email protected].
CNIB-NL October-December 2014
Robert Sterling’s StoryHello, my name is Robert. My father called me Bobby. People who know me sometimes call me Bob Hope. At least they no longer call me “No Hope.”I am originally from Ontario, where I worked for six years at the third largest milk processing plant in Canada. I was born with a rare form of a condition called corneal dystrophy. I was pronounced “legally blind” in 2004. At the time, my ophthalmologist never even mentioned the CNIB. I received some info several weeks later in the mail. I had seen images of white canes and guide dogs and I did not think they could help me, since I thought my vision was not that bad. I was still working at the time when I was pronounced “legally blind,” but when I told my employer about it my days as a full-time employee became numbered.I decided to pursue a better education. First I got a College diploma and then I went on to University. I returned in September, 2013 to study for a Master’s Degree; my interests remain primarily centered on alienation, inclusion, and social inequality. Now, because of visual enhancement software, I am confident with Internet, e-mail and Microsoft Word. I participated in the organization of National Disability Awareness Day, March 24, 2010. In advocating for the rights and freedoms of students with disabilities I was twice nominated for the Glenn Roy Blundon Award. As a student with low-vision I have taken every opportunity to research and write papers on vision-loss and disabilities. I am currently involved with the CNIB as a volunteer.In closing, I want to leave you with the words of Gandhi, “Be the change in the world that you want to see.” Everyone can play a part in effecting change in peoples’ attitudes and perspectives towards those who are blind or partially sighted.
- Robert Sterling
CNIB-NL UpdatesAnnual Community Meeting (ACM): Our 2014 ACM is scheduled for
CNIB-NL October-December 2014
October 15th, to be held in the multipurpose room at the CNIB office in St. John’s at 4:30. This year’s special guests include CNIB president John Rafferty, and former chair of CNIB’s board of directors, Jane Beaumont. There will also be a “Meet and Greet with John Rafferty” from 3 to 4:30 prior to the ACM at CNIB. Approximately sixty people attended last year’s ACM and we hope for a higher turnout for 2014.Low Vision Assessment Center in Labrador: Thanks to funding from The International Grenfell Association, we now have a fully equipped low-vision assessment center at our office in Happy Valley-Goose Bay Labrador Friendship Center. The office has a full suite of magnifiers along with digital low vision aids that can be used to help a person with vision loss maximize use of their remaining vision.Low Vision Specialist in Labrador: We welcome Kathleen May to CNIB, who is our new Specialist, Low Vision Services for Labrador. She is first going through some training, and will then relocate to the Happy Valley-Goose Bay Labrador Friendship Center.Vision Mate Program: We are recruiting for our Vision Mate program. The Vision Mate program involves volunteers, trained as Vision Mates, to help individuals with vision loss maintain social interaction and independence. We are recruiting both volunteers and clients, particularly in rural areas, to provide/receive assistance for a couple of hours a week, through friendly visiting and assistance with recreation, errands, reading, writing, walking, shopping, and more. If you are interested please contact our Counsellor / Coordinator of Volunteer Services, Lynsey Soper, at [email protected], or by telephone at 1-800-563-2642.CNIB photo ID cards: In line with direction from CNIB national office, there is now a $10 fee for new CNIB photo ID cards. This fee will cover your card, including replacement cards, for five years.
Community Partner UpdatesCanadian Council of the Blind (CCB) - NL Division
Information Provided by: Don Connolly
CNIB-NL October-December 2014
Canadian Council of the Blind is made up mostly of blind and visually impaired people who share common interests such as blind sports and recreation, belief in ability not disability, and a desire to support others based on shared experience. CCB promotes increased accessibility, equality of opportunity and quality of life for people with vision loss.There are three Chapters in NL located in St. John’s, Grand Falls-Windsor and Corner Brook. Chapters meet once per month from September to June. Meetings are open to CCB members, family and friends. New members are always welcome.CCB organizes regular activities including ice hockey, skiing, skating, lawn bowling, croquet, bacchii, golf, darts, bowling, swimming, and track and field. You can find out about CCB events in future editions of this newsletter, on our Facebook page (Canadian Council of the Blind – Eastern NL Chapter), or contact us by email ([email protected]) or phone 726-5975.During February, White Cane Week (a national CCB initiative) was proclaimed by the city halls of St. John’s, Mount Pearl, Grand Falls-Windsor and Corner Brook. White Cane Week involves events to promote abilities of the blind and visually impaired community. Some examples include: Lions Members and the CCB Members competing in games of curling, cribbage, bowling, and goalball (a game in which participants, in teams of three, are blindfolded and throw a ball containing bells at a goal at the opposing teams side of the court) demonstrated in local schools.If you are interested in finding out more about the CCB or where and when local Chapters meet contact Don Connolly – President, NL Division at 726-5975 or email [email protected] or email [email protected] Facebook: Canadian Council of the Blind, Eastern NL Chapter
We Are Here For You - Contact UsSt. John’s Office70 The BoulevardA1A 1K2(709) 754-1180
