HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1999-02-03, Page 8S -THE HURON EXPOSITOR, February 3, 1919
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White Cane Week Activities begrn
Information
found across
county to help
the blind
White Cane Week, Feb. 7 to -
Feb. 13, will be a chance for
Huron. County residents to
learn more about services,
available to people -with
vision problems and, how.
others can help them.
White Cane Week was first
launched in 1947 by the
Canadian Council for the
. Blind -and the Canadian
National Institute for the.'
Blind. •
The focus of the week was
on the abilities, concerns and
needs of people who are
blind, visually impaired or
- dea(blind.
Today, the white cane is a
symbol of blindness. courage
and independent. spirit.
People- who are blind have
used the cane as a tool for
independent travel for
centuries. It wasn't until 1912:
however, that the white cane
became the symbol, of.
blindness and accessibility.
In North America, the
-promotion of the white cane is -
attributed to Lions'. Club
International. In 1930, a Lions -
Club member watched
intently as a blind man
attempted: to cross the street
with a black canethat was
_barely visible to motorists,
against the dark pavement. In
193.1,. Lions Club
International adopted the
promotion •of white canes for,,
people who are blind as a
national program.
White Cane Week was first
launched when a group of
blind people felt there was.a
lack of understanding about
what the white cane
represented and was•
designated the first week of
February in 1947.
This year, locally, there. will
be displays in Clinton and
Goderich where people can
pick up -information from the
local chapter of the CNIB and
talk to volunteers about
programs that are available.
Displays will be found at
Wal-Mart and Suncoast Mall
in Goderich and at Knechtle's
in Clinton.
The CNIB is short
volunteers in the Seaforth area
to accommodate information
displays in that community.
"We haven't yet found
volunteers here that will help
us," said Gordon Hill of Varna
who is helping coordinated•
Huron County's -White Cane
Week displays:
He said they need someone
who able to be well-informed
and able•to talk to people
about problems faced by blind
people.
The Canadian Council. of
the Blind Bluewater Club of
Huron County started in 1970
to help the blind.
Gwen'Stirling,of Clinton
was' one -of the founders of the
club which has met forpeople
to share experiences; ideas
and approaches to living with
blindness or ' visual
impairment. ,
The club has offered
speaker, nights, video nights,
school visits and craft classes
as well as organized visits to County. The council would
plays in Blyth, bus and boat consist of local people
trips and other activities. familiar with the needs of the
The CCB's focus is on blind in their communities
programs like that that and work to help improve life
recognize the social needs of for them. - •
visually impaired people - Work would include such
while the CNIB offers things as setting up a "vision
specific services to the blind. day" to help inform people of
For example,, CNIB offers the services available and help
counselling services and sight them access such things as the
enhancement services where a 'CNIB library with its books
vision rehabilitation: worker • on tape and braille.
helps a person make the mos! In London, he said there are
out of a person's remaining some traffic lights that have a
sight when they are 'not feature a blind person can
completely blind. activate that causes. a chirping
The organization also as the light changes and traffic
offers instructors to prbvide flow begins to move in a
mobility training that helps a -different direction.
person move around safely_ in Providing services like that.
places like , home, the that would help a blind person
supermarket or neighborhood in his or her own community
among other programs and could be addressed by the
services. , _ • advisory council.
Hill said they want to set up For more information or -to
local advisory councils, one -in get involved, people can call
each of Huron and Perth Hill at 519-233-3307.
CNIB Facts
In Huron County, the Southwest District CNIB: has 209
registered clients; added 31 new clients (a 14% increase) iti
1997/98; provided 560 hours of service to Huron County
clients; responded to more than 700 calls requesting
information about CNIB services and programs:
More than 500,000 Canadians have a vision related
disability.
Nine out of ten people considered blind do -have some
useful vision.
, Visually impaired people face unemploymentrates several,
times higher than the national average. -
Blind, visually impaired and deaf -blind people are
employed in over 1000 occupations. .
Blind people do use words like "look," "see" and "colour" '
in everyday conversation.
Guide dogs do not possess any unusual powers; they are
highly intelligent animals specifically trained to react to
commands by the owner.
Flock of sparrows excites residents
All community seniors are
invited to our. Valentines
dinner and music Feb. 14 at
5 p.m: Ca11,527-0030 for . .
more information to reserve
your seat: Until next month,
take -care.
Our residents• are enjoying
this winter wonderland in
the comfort of the retirement
home. Even during the cold
snap, Dodie Foster excited
us with the discovery of a
flock of sparrows sitting in
the trees outside the dining
room window. Kay
MacDonald - gives
temperature and weather
reports after her,
daily
walkabout.
Many of our January
activities have ' been.
interrupted by the inclement
weather, but thankfully,
most of our volunteefs have
been -kind enough ' to
reschedule.
We have had an excellent
turnout for our .weekly
exercise sessions every
Friday morning. The baking
club had our mouths
watering with some'
delicious pumpkin loaf.
Several residents continue to
enjoy reading every
Wednesday morning with
Kate Aslin.
We all had great fun at the
pajama party Jan. 21st and
- eaforth Manor
Retirement -
1 Home
were entertained by Marie
Flynn and her band.
Dodie Foster, Grace Scott;
Anne \eldhuis and others -
were seen working on our
crib quilt. The residents have •
decided to raffle off the•quilt
when it is finished.
Residents also welcome
Bob Hulley and his youth
group for fun and fellowship
on Jan. 16_
The Vanastra'Christian
Reformed Church group and
Phyllis and Ken Rennick
entertain us every other
week -with Bible 'study and
music. We ,welcome Teilry
to the the Manor this month.
It's cold and flu season.
again. So far, we have
remained relatively healthy.
We remind all our visitors to
reschedule their visits if they
are feeling' under the
weather.
Legion Banquet Saturday
The annual Honours and Awards Banquet is on Saturday.
Please get your tickets as soon as possible:
Branch 156 public speaking contest;is on,Feb. 21 at 2 p.m.
Brotherhood .Night this year; hosted by the Lions Club, is
being held at the Legion on Feb. 25. The guest speaker is
Judge Ron Sills.
Ladies Auxiliary General Meeting is Wednesday, Feb. 3, 8
p.m.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning we will
remember them.
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For teal peace of mind,
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We provide insurance protection that lets you slap ar night. That's
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Yoi/re irroited to a
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Huron
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1010 Main Sr- Seaforth
527-0240