Youth with vision loss hoes to influence change and raise awareness

December 4, 2015 · 0 Comments

Born with congenital eye conditions (oculocutaneous albinism, nystagmus and photophobia), Garrett Everding has always relied on support from CNIB. His parents, having an older son with the same conditions, knew they could turn to CNIB for low vision services. CNIB specialists provide specialized vision assessments, teach techniques for maximizing remaining sight, like how to use lighting and contrast to an advantage, and offer one-on-one instruction in the use of specialty devices such as magnifiers. As CNIB recognizes International Day of Persons with Disabilities (Dec. 3), Garrett, now 23, reflects on his involvement with the organization that is the primary source of support for individuals who are living with vision loss.
“Starting at the age of 5, I was hooked on the accessible literature at the CNIB library. My brother and I also spent a few memorable summers at Lake Joe [CNIB’s accessible lakefront facility in Muskoka],” says Garrett. “As a teenager, I took advantage of SCORE [Skills, Confidence and Opportunities though Recreation and Education]. The SCORE program gave me the opportunity to try new things and helped me gain an increased level of confidence to overcome any challenge.”
CNIB has played a big role in shaping Garrett’s life, so he felt he should return the favour. With that sentiment, he began serving as co-chair of CNIB’s National Youth Council (NYC) in 2013. The NYC was created as a voice for youth who are blind, partially sighted or deafblind, to give them an opportunity to influence change and raise awareness about the issues that are facing Canadian youth who are living with vision loss. Garrett is proud of the sense of community that the NYC has been able to create for youth like him.
“Bringing youth together is one of the biggest things the council can do,” says Garrett. “It helps connect people and let them know that they’re not alone, and it’s a vital support network for individuals who are transitioning from childhood to adulthood.”
Garrett identified three main categories of information that are important for fostering independence: how do you live, how do you become educated and how do you work. The youth council has also identified a knowledge gap.
“There’s plenty of information about things like eye care and life skills, but there aren’t a lot of resources for dealing with the intangibles of ‘how to be a teenager with vision loss,’” says Garrett. “Sometimes, there’s a lack of information about youth, so we’re trying to provide information that you may not know you even need.”
The youth council helps teenagers grow into successful, confident adults.
“The youth council is like a brain trust. We come up with information and content, from our unique perspective, that we think would be useful for both other youth and the organization at large,” says Garrett. “At the moment, we’re working on developing a podcast. It will have a general youth focus, but it will be a bit more fun.”
To learn more about CNIB’s National Youth Council, please visit cnib.ca/nyc

By Cameron Spark