I have always been an animal lover and had various pets and farm animals during my childhood. Dogs have always been a big part of my life. I never anticipated that one day a dog would impact my life so profoundly as the bond I would have with a guide dog. My life was forever […]
Many misconceptions continue to exist in contemporary society regarding disability. Educating others about blindness and social etiquette is vital for many reasons. Raising awareness of vision loss can help to promote positive change for individuals who are blind, and for society as a whole. As a person who is blind, I have experienced many obstacles. […]
As I reflect on what it means for me to embrace my disability, many concepts come to mind: acceptance, awareness, advocacy, perseverance, self-growth, gratitude, humility, empowerment, and independence. Many people who go through vision loss experience stages of grief and loss. As I look back on 2007 when I was initially diagnosed with my degenerative […]
Raised in Ontario most of my life, I attended kindergarten through to grade 12 from 1982-1994. From early childhood I have had visual challenges. I got my first pair of prescription eye glasses at the age of four. I remember finding it difficult to adjust to my lenses, and I even fell down a flight […]
Although today’s culture is moving towards a more equitable, diverse, and inclusive society, more positive change in regards to disability rights needs to occur. Advocacy and awareness are vital to changing societal attitudes and perceptions. Misconceptions of blindness are perpetuated today. This article sets out to dispel some of the common misconceptions of vision loss […]
Research suggests that all mammals experience sleep. Sleep may look different across the species. The type and amount of sleep tends to be based on a species’ needs, environment, and whether they are predator or prey (Meadows, A, 2021). Sleep is vital for the human body to rest and recharge and contributes to a person’s […]
As a person with a visual impairment, my vision loss has been gradual. Over the years, I have had difficulty when viewing certain television programs and movies. When first introduced to audio description (AD) and described video (DV), I was amazed at the detail and information offered to me through these mediums. Each one of […]
Editor’s Note: On behalf of all of us here at COBD and PTCB, we want to wish all of you a Happy International Guide Dog Day!!! 🦮 We also want to take a moment to celebrate the fact that our own Jinnie Saran is currently in training as a first-time guide dog handler! Go Jinnie!!! […]
As a person who is blind, I love to travel, meet new people, and enjoy the excitement of experiencing new places. Prior to my vision loss, I had lived in four Canadian provinces and travelled from coast to coast by plane, train, and automobile. I had the pleasure of meeting many different people from all […]
Like many people I enjoy attending social gatherings and activities. Going out for a nice dinner or attending a social event is fun and a great way to spend time with friends and meet new people. Relationships with others are very important to me. I definitely miss the social aspect of my life. I look […]