From the President’s Desk
Welcome to Vision Health Month 2026. Vision Health Month, which is observed in May, is dedicated to raising awareness about eye health, promoting preventative care, and encouraging regular comprehensive eye examinations to protect and preserve vision, not only for updating prescriptions, but also for detecting early signs of serious eye conditions. These conditions can include glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and cataracts; all of which can lead to vision impairment or blindness if untreated.
This is why we at CCB, along with our vision partners and vision professionals, continue our work to establish a National Eye Care Strategy. However, strategies and advocacy are of no value if we do not educate the public on awareness of the importance of regular eye examinations, which can identify early signs of possible eye disease. Many of these conditions, when detected early, can be corrected by eyeglasses or contact lenses.
The Council continues to promote its involvement in sports and recreational activity, such as the upcoming Atlantic Sports and Recreation Weekend (ASRW), being held from May 15th through 17th in beautiful St. John’s, Newfoundland. This annual event, which includes everyone in the Atlantic Provinces, offers a wonderful opportunity for friends and colleagues from Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland to compete in adaptive sporting and recreation events, while sharing a warm sense of camaraderie, and artistic qualities such as music and social engagement.
Sunday, May 10th is Mother’s Day, and We at The Council congratulate and extend warmest wishes to Mothers, Grand-Mothers, and wish each a wonderful day with Family and Friends. May also presents Victoria Day, May 18th, a National Holiday. Normally, this represents the time of year where we begin to enjoy the warming climate, the chirping of the birds, and the beginning of the floral season, weather dependent, it may be cutting fresh flowers, or planting seeds or buds for later blooming. Regardless, let us welcome May as a Month of change.
On behalf of the National Board, Staff Team, donors, and sponsors across this great Country, we wish everyone a Very Happy Victoria Day Weekend, and to all the mothers a very Happy Mother’s Day. We wish our participants all the best in the Atlantic Sports and Recreation Weekend, and please join us for Our Vision Health Month activities on May 26th. I would not feel I have completed my report without reminding everyone to get their eyes checked regularly.
Jim Tokos,
National President
(Description of picture: A card with coral pink, blue, green, and yellow floral designs lies flat on a wooden table surrounded by light and dark pink roses. White text on the cover of the card reads: Best Mom Ever.)
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Blind Spot – Moments Unseen by Ruth Bieber:
Growing up on an Alberta farm in the late 50’s, Ruth Bieber suddenly and mysteriously lost her sight during her elementary school days. A proud farmer, her father would have nothing to do with anything that smacked of self-pity, making it clear to Ruth, in response to her legal blindness, “Ruthie, you can’t see, so you will need to get three times as much education and work three times harder than your friends, so you can make lots of money to pay people to drive you around.” Known in those days as “Tough Love.”
She took that very much to heart as she approached her life challenges head-on. She is not sure as to whether she completely followed her dad’s advice entirely, but she does seem to have a knack for keeping busy, and really does feel the world is her oyster! Her siblings, older sister Margaret, younger brother Gerold and sister Linda all continue to reside in Alberta, along with her two now-grown sons Erik and Martin. It has become a long-distance relationship with them all, although they visit her regularly in Parksville.
As a single mother in Calgary, Ruth brought her boys up to be as independent as herself. She says “People often ask me why I don’t live closer to them, so they can take care of me. That statement makes them both laugh right out loud.
For one thing, that would mean I would need to stay put, rather than moving every six years or so, of my adult post- childrearing life. The same goes for my youngest son, Marty, who thrives in the hospitality industry. At age 32 years, he has rivaled me in the moving department. My eldest son Erik works nights at a major hotel, and believe me, that is not for the faint of heart. In short, they are busy with their own lives, and so am I, for that matter. Would I love it if we all lived in the same area? Of course, that would be lovely, but only because we really like each other, not because I’m blind.”
(Description of picture: A view of the city of Calgary, Alberta, from across the water at sunset.)
Graduating in 1980 with a Bachelor of Social Work degree, then obtaining a Master of Education degree, both from the University of Calgary, for many years Ruth supported people with complex disabilities.
She states: “It was often referred to as having a dual diagnosis, but that language probably wouldn’t be currently accepted. The point, however, is I noticed most of my clients simply did not respond to traditional verbal therapies. In response I became versed in the arts as therapy, which turned out to be much more effective”.
One thing led to another, and in 1990, she started her own theatre company in Calgary, featuring actors with disabilities. The theatre company provided acting training, and performing opportunities for people who would otherwise never enjoy the thrill of being on stage. The benefits for the actors as well as the audiences were unimaginable!
Operating the “InsideOut” Theatre for 17 years, leaving its fold in 2008, Ruth is pleased to report, the company continues to thrive to this day.
Upon departure from her beloved “InsideOut”, she took a major leap of faith, selling her house in Calgary, and moving to New York City for a two-year sabbatical. Her plan being to write a book about her disability theatre company experience, plus promote a couple of plays she had just written. Both plays had readings in the Big Apple, and she shamelessly promotes her book titled “Disability Theatre from the InsideOut,” which can be found on Amazon.
Her most exciting part about moving to the Big Apple, however, was the discovery that blind people can be visual artists too.
Turns out there are countless artists with sight impairment world-wide creating amazing art! She decided she wanted to be one of those artists, thus began her exploration of the craft.
After returning to Canada, she enjoyed her first exhibition in Kelowna in 2013 at the Rotary Centre for the Arts while simultaneously curating an exhibition at the Kelowna Art Gallery featuring four vision-impaired artists. The four artists came from Germany, NYC, Toronto, and Kelowna. At the time, the art opening brought in more guests from the community than any previous exhibition.
“Well”, she says “who can resist the idea of a blind visual artist?“ Fast forward into the future, whereupon residents of Oceanside were able to view her latest exhibition at the McMillan Art Centre in November 2025. And, yet again, responding to an enthusiastic community, Ruth will be offering a second artist talk, followed by a blindfold art experience for interested Oceanside residents in May of 2026.
Since her departure from InsideOut Theatre in 2008, she has become a freelance artist, touring a solo theatre piece, writing, and creating visual art. Besides creating art, she very much enjoys experiencing the same created by others and talks about hitting the proverbial jackpot! As a resident of Parksville for a mere three years, she cannot believe the plethora of artistic offerings.
Ruth has three top traveling experiences to date. In 2014 she joined two other blind equestrians on a ten-day trail ride in Patagonia. The journey became aCBC documentary titled “Blind Spot; Moments Unseen.” In 2013 and again in 2015 she taught at a university in Finland, recognizing her hosts being gracious beyond belief. She loves Finland!
In 2017 she brought her solo theatre production to Turkey, where her theatre colleague, Dr. Özgül Akinci translated the show into Turkish. That tour also took the show to The Netherlands where virtually everyone speaks English. Ruth is so grateful to have had these, and so many other travel experiences.
As a single blind woman of a “certain” age, who lives independently, one might wonder how she manages generally? Not alone, that’s for sure. She talks about the most wonderful aspects of living in Parksville. In short, it’s all about her neighbours coupled with countless neighbourhood resources! And no, she states, “I do not have a dog, so, let’s just get that one out of the way right up front.” Ruth thinks Guide dogs are amazing, and many of her blind friends lovingly have one. A canine just isn’t for everyone. They require a great deal of maintenance, and she is not sure she would have the time or the patience. The one thing being the bane of her existence is shopping. She states: “Think about it, what fun is shopping when you can’t see? Mostly I just try to make myself real small and do my best to avoid knocking over displays; more of them every day! She certainly recognizes it takes a community to support a blind person.
She also receives various supports from the Canadian National Institute for the Blind, Canadian Council of the Blind, and the Vision Loss Rehabilitation of Canada organization, and finally, her neighbours! Ruth does her best to give back where able and appreciates the unsurpassed generosity of spirit that surrounds her!
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Women of CCB Monthly Gatherings:
Join us for our Women of CCB monthly gatherings, held on Zoom every second Tuesday of the month at 7:00 PM Eastern (8:00 PM Atlantic).
These welcoming and supportive sessions feature engaging guest speakers, meaningful themed discussions, and plenty of time for casual, lighthearted conversation with other women living with sight loss. Whether you’re looking to learn something new, share your experiences, or simply connect with others, there is always a place for you here. If you are not familiar with Zoom, we are happy to call you directly by phone so you can participate with ease. Heidi and Leslie warmly welcome you and look forward to having you join us.
If you are interested in participating, please email Heidi at hwhite@ccbnational.net
(Description of picture: A group of women place their hands together in a stack, each wearing long-sleeve sweaters in different colours.)
New Update from AIRA:
For several years, CCB has promoted to our members the AIRA services. Today we let you know about an important update. Now those who use Meta Glasses will be able to add AIRA access.
The information about this new exciting service is found below, and here is a link to the landing page outlining all relevant information: https://aira.io/aira-ai-glasses-meta/
AIRA now works with AI glasses from Meta, introducing a new hands-free way to access professional Visual Interpreting. Through the AIRA Explorer app, users can connect their AI glasses from Meta and stream live video to a professional Visual Interpreter who provides real-time visual information and works with callers to complete tasks. This integration allows blind and low vision users to access visual information while keeping their hands free. Currently, the integration is only available for iOS; Android coverage will be added in the near future.
Here is a setup guide for users: https://airatechcorp.my.site.com/helpcenter/s/article/User-Guide-Meta-Aira
Try Beep Baseball in Delaware, Ontario – First Ever “Try It” Event:
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The Lions Clubs from Delaware and Melbourne are collaborating with the Municipality of Middlesex Centre to present a first-ever Beep Baseball “Try It” Event at the Delaware Municipal Park.
Arthur Pressick from the Toronto Blind Jays will be demonstrating the fundamentals for Batting, Running, and Fielding. You will be able to “try out the equipment and learn the fundamentals.”
Beep baseball is an exciting adapted version of baseball that allows both sighted and low-vision players to participate together. This inclusive sport focuses on teamwork, communication, and fun while making the game accessible to everyone.
Participants will have the opportunity to meet Arthur and the local Lions and Lioness, and learn the fundamentals in a supportive and engaging environment.
Event details:
Date: May 23, 2026 (Rain Date: May 31, 2026)
Time: 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. (registration at 10:30 a.m.)
Location: Delaware Municipal Park
Address: 2640 Gideon Drive, Delaware, ON, N0L 1E0
Ages: 10 years to adult
Note: Beep baseball is a physical activity, so participants are encouraged to come dressed appropriately.
If you are interested in participating, or know someone who may be interested and able to travel to Delaware, please contact Donna at districtsight@gmail.com for more information.
Life With Jefferson – A Biography of a Guide Dog:
(Description of picture: On a beige background, blue text reads: Life With Jefferson. Below is an illustration of a yellow Labrador lying down. At the bottom, blue text reads: A Biography of a Guide Dog, Paul Bennett & Penny Leclair.)
Guide dogs are carefully bred and trained to help their handlers live safely and independently. But what makes one dog truly exceptional?
Life With Jefferson tells the true story of the remarkable partnership between Jefferson and Penny Leclair, a deafblind woman whose independence depended on finding the right guide dog. After two years of searching, Jefferson was chosen for his unique intelligence, sensitivity, and ability to meet Penny’s specific needs. His training continued with special considerations that shaped him into more than a working dog-he became a trusted partner and beloved family member.
Through heartfelt and often humorous stories, readers come to know Jefferson’s personality, devotion, and deep desire to communicate and protect. As he aged, his wisdom grew, and his dedication never wavered.
This moving nonfiction account offers an intimate look into the bond between a guide dog and the humans who depend on him-a story of trust, love, and partnership that will stay with you long after the final page.
Here is the link to the Paperback Book
Here is the link to the Electronic Book
And here is the link to the Audio Book
Register now: CCB Vision Health Month Conference 2026 (Pan-Canadian Voices):
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Tuesday, May 26th, 2026
10:00 AM – 2:30 PM (EDT)
Eastern Daylight Time
Ottawa Conference Centre
Join us for this year’s Vision Health Month Conference: Pan-Canadian Voices, a national conversation on the future of eye care in Canada.
As Canada progresses on the National Strategy for Eye Care Act, it’s important to recognize that access to eye care is not the same across the country. Geography, language, funding models, workforce shortages, and community needs all shape how, and if, people receive vision health services.
This conference brings together optometrists, ophthalmologists, policy leaders, vision rehabilitation professionals, and individuals with lived experience of sight loss from across Canada. By centering regional perspectives, we aim to challenge one-size-fits-all approaches and explore more equitable solutions for vision health.
Speaker Lineup:
Angelica Hanna, MSc, MD (C) & Researcher:
Researcher exploring the socioeconomic factors influencing access to eye care across Canada.
Dr. Allison Scott, OD, President, Canadian Association of Optometrists (CAO):
Providing both national and East Coast perspectives on eye care delivery.
Vision Health Partners’ Coalition (VHPC) – Jennifer Urosevic, President & CEO, Vision Loss Rehabilitation Canada (VLRC):
As the lead of the VHPC, Jennifer will share updates on the National Strategy for Eye Care Act and ongoing advocacy efforts.
Catherine Langlois, Senior Universal Accessibility Advisor, VIA Rail Canada:
Providing an overview of VIA Rail Canada’s current accessibility plan, outlining ongoing initiatives to improve inclusive travel across Canada.
Dr. Sabri Koroush, MB.ChB., FRCOphth, FRCSC & Founder of the Indigenous Children Eye Examination (ICEE) Project:
Discussing his work delivering pediatric eye care to Northern and Indigenous communities, reflecting on the challenges faced, what has worked well, and the impact of the program.
Jim Tokos, National President (CCB) & Leslie Yee, 1st Vice-President (CCB):
Announcing the launch of CCB’s Right to Sight Campaign, including the development of provincial report cards on the awareness of eye care.
Panel – Rehabilitation and Services Across the Country:
Featuring Kamilia Zaman (VLRC), Leo Bissonnette (BLC), and Richard Marsoleis, former VLRC Specialist and President, Achilles Ottawa.
This 60-minute panel will explore how equity challenges are experienced across rehabilitation disciplines and regions in Canada.
Schedule subject to change.
Don’t miss out! A post-lunch panel session will take place in the afternoon.
Seeing the System, Rehabilitation and Access Nationally.
A cross-country discussion on vision rehabilitation and other support services and their access challenges.
More speakers to be announced!
We hope you’ll join us for an engaging and important conversation as we work toward a more inclusive and equitable vision health system in Canada.
Register now to secure your spot!
Visit the link below to register to attend in person:
Vision Health Month Conference 2026 – Pan-Canadian Voices
Visit the link below to register to attend virtually:
Webinar Registration – Zoom
Participants Needed for a Research Study – Understanding Healthcare Experiences of Older Adults with Vision Loss:
Are you 65 years or older and living with age-related vision loss?
Have you recently visited a healthcare provider for something other than your vision?
We want to hear about your experiences!
What is the study about?
Queen’s University researchers are conducting a study to explore the needs and experiences of older adults with Age-Related Vision Loss (ARVL) when receiving healthcare services other than eye care (e.g., family doctor, specialist, physiotherapist, dietician).
Your voice can help inform better care and support for older adults with vision loss across Canada.
Who can participate?
You may be eligible if you:
- Are 65 years or older.
- Were diagnosed with vision loss at age 45 or later.
- Are living in your own home, an apartment, or a retirement home
- Have used healthcare services not related to your vision in the past year
- Can communicate in English and participate in a 60-minute interview
What does participation involve?
- An audio-recorded interview
- Conducted in-person, online, or by phone – your choice!
Interested or have questions?
Please contact by May 31, 2026:
Supriya Venigalla
Email: 22svs1@queensu.ca
Phone: 551-375-3913
This study has received ethical approval by the Queen’s University Health Sciences and Affiliated Teaching Hospitals Research Ethics Board.
IN THE NEWS
Revolutionary eye injection saved my sight, says first-ever patient:
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Nicki says the results have been life changing.
Doctors say they have achieved the previously impossible – restoring sight and preventing blindness in people with a rare but dangerous eye condition called hypotony.
Moorfields hospital in London is the world’s first dedicated clinic for the disorder and seven out of eight patients given the pioneering treatment have responded to the therapy, a pilot study shows.
One of them – the first-ever – is Nicki Guy, 47, who is sharing her story exclusively with the BBC.
She says the results are incredible: “It’s life-changing. It’s given me everything back. I can see my child grow up.
“I’ve gone from counting fingers and everything being really blurry to being able to see.”
Currently, she can see and read most lines of letters on an eye test chart.
She is one line away from what is legally required for driving – a massive change from being partially sighted, using a magnifying glass for anything close up and having to navigate around the house and outside largely using memory.
“If my vision stays like this for the rest of my life it would be absolutely brilliant.
“I may not ever be able to drive again but I’ll take that!” she says.
Nicki has regular eye checks to see how she is progressing
With hypotony, pressure within the eyeball becomes dangerously low, leading it to cave in on itself.
It can happen if there is poor production of the natural jelly-like fluid inside the eye, following trauma or inflammation, for example.
Sometimes it’s a side effect of eye surgery or certain medications. Without treatment people can go blind.
Before now, doctors have tried using steroids and silicone oil to plump up the eye. But this can be toxic over long periods and doesn’t restore much vision.
Even when the cells at the back of the eye used for sight are working, the silicone oil is difficult to see through, causing blurry vision.
The experts from Moorfields decided to try a different approach with something they already had in their cupboard – a low-cost, transparent, water-based gel called hydroxypropyl methylcellulose or HPMC.
It’s already used in some types of eye surgery.
But rather than using it as a one-off, the Moorfield’s team decided to inject it into the main part of the eye as a new type of therapy.
The gel is clear or transparent, which allows better vision.
When Nicki first had eyesight problems back in 2017, just after her son was born, she was initially given lots of silicone oil in her right eye, which was failing.
She says it had lost its normal shape and “sort of collapsed” or “crumpled like a paper bag” due to hypotony. The treatment did little to help.
And a few years later, her left eye started to fail in the same way.
“After I lost vision in my left eye, I thought, ‘there has to be something else we can try’,” she explains.
“Sheer determination. I was just like ‘I’m not giving up'”.
Her eye doctor Mr. Harry Petrushkin said, together, they decided to do something entirely new – fill the eye with something that you can see through.
“The idea that we might be causing harm to somebody who has only really one eye with a treatment that may or may not work was nerve-wracking,” he recalls.
“We came up with this as a solution and amazingly it worked.
“Really, we could not have dreamt of her having the outcome that she has had.
“Somebody, who by all rights should have lost her vision in both eyes… is now living normally. That’s completely remarkable. We couldn’t have hoped for better.”
He says the same treatment could potentially help hundreds or even thousands of people each year in the UK. It comes down to whether they still have viable cells at the back of the eye that allow vision.
“We knew with Nicki there was vision to gain, and she would get better if we could make her eye round and hard again.”
They’ve treated 35 patients so far, thanks to funding from the Moorfields Eye Charity, and have now published the outcomes of the first eight in the British Journal of Ophthalmology.
The treatment is given once every three to four weeks for around 10 months in total.
The researchers hope that with time, they will get even better at working out who could benefit.
“It’s been a fantastic story. The results are really promising but it’s early days,” says Petrushkin.
By Michelle Roberts and Sophie Hutchinson, BBC News
Fighting Blindness Canada: Move for Sight 2026 — Ottawa Event:
(Description of picture: A person can be seen running on a field at dawn. The sun shines bright in the background.)
Get ready to MOVE With Us – in person! On Saturday, June 6, 2026, join hundreds of people across Canada for MOVE FOR SIGHT — Fighting Blindness Canada’s national movement to raise critical funds and awareness for vision research, treatments, and education. Together we can create a brighter future for individuals living with vision loss.
Join us in person at the park!
If you’re in the Ottawa Area, come MOVE With Us – in person at a community school. We’ll take a meaningful stroll together in support of sight saving research — and enjoy a great day outdoors with your community. Bring your team of family and friends, colleagues, strollers, and walking shoes — this is a walk for everyone.
Event Details:
Location: Sir Robert Borden High School – 131 Greenbank Rd, Nepean, ON K2H 8R1
Time: 9:30am – 12:30pm
Walk Distance: 2km or 5km.
More details to follow.
Whether you’re walking for someone you love, championing vision health or simply want to make a difference — your moves matter.
Every step brings us closer to breakthroughs in vision research and shines a light on vision loss. On Saturday, June 6, we can’t wait to celebrate MOVE Day with you at the park. And wherever you are before or after the event, share your photos and videos to show why you’re MOVING FOR SIGHT.
WHY YOUR SUPPORT MATTERS
Today, more than 1.2 million Canadians are living with vision loss — and the need for new and improved treatments have never been greater. Our community needs access to disease-specific educational resources and opportunities to connect with others who have similar experiences — so they can feel informed, supported, and empowered. This is the heart of Fighting Blindness Canada’s mission.
For more than 50 years, FBC has led the way as the largest charitable funder of vision research in Canada, investing over $47 million into world-class research and community programs like View Point, which create meaningful space for learning, connection, and support.
Your fundraising helps fuel this progress. Together — with families, friends, researchers, clinicians, advocates, and supporters across the country, we’re not just hoping for progress; we are building it. By MOVING FOR SIGHT, you’re part of the progress.
Thank you for helping build a future where vision loss is no longer inevitable and support is within everyone’s reach.
To register or learn more, visit:
Register for MOVE FOR SIGHT 2026
Have questions? They are here to help.
Call 1.800.461.3331 or email MOVEFORSIGHT@fightingblindness.ca