Canadian National Institute for the Blind

Canadian National Institute for the Blind - April's Story

My name is April and I have been a CNIB client for almost two years. I am a 25 year old employed female with Low Vision and considered to be Visually Impaired.   I was born with vision problems and had my first eye surgery at age 1 year and then began to wear glasses as well. I struggled with my Low Vision throughout school but was able to succeed and receive my High School Diploma. I then went to University; this is where the great struggle began. The work was more intense then I had experienced in high school and required more of me and what vision I did have. Reading several hundred pages of text a night for example was a nightmare for my eyes.

I had been to Ophthalmologists all of my life but my family and I were not aware that there were any organizations that could help me. One day my Mom decided that she would call CNIB and ask if they knew of any organization that helps people with Low Vision. After making that one phone call my Mother realized we found what we were looking for! I immediately met with someone who did an intake and assessment and then I was referred to see the Low Vision Specialist who was able to find magnifiers that in addition to my glasses would help me read such things as phone books, recipes and the newspaper. I realize this may not sound like a very big deal to a fully sighted person but to me it was a very big deal. Just by having this magnifier I was able to achieve one more level of independence, now I didn't need to ask someone to read a recipe for me or to look up telephone numbers I could do it for myself! I have also accessed other CNIB services such as Employment and technology. My CNIB Employment Counselor was able to help me get appropriate assistive technology to do my job.

The obstacles I have experienced in my life will not stop me from achieving my goal to complete my University education and become a Social Worker. I am confident in my own abilities that I can achieve my goals along with the help of CNIB and the many services they have to offer. As a result of coming to CNIB I have been offered Vision health, Vision hope.