SPECIAL: Visually impaired Nancy Gill organizes fundraiser for program that would help her be employed once again

X 002 MAIN NewNANCY Gill is vivacious and positive with a great sense of humour.

And the Burnaby resident is determined not to let anything in life get her down.

But she needs your help.

That’s because Nancy is legally blind due to a condition known as Usher`s Syndrome that causes gradual, but inevitable, loss of eyesight which frequently results in near total blindness. In addition, the condition includes hearing loss. And the multiple effect of dual sensory loss can be devastating.

“Even so, there are people with the same medical problem as myself working, raising families, and contributing to our communities due to specialized training at the Louisiana Centre for the Blind,” says Nancy.

Nancy actually had to give up her job at a grocery store because of her worsening eyesight.

The Louisiana Centre for the Blind is one of three premier programs in the world operated in conjunction with the National Federation of the Blind in the United States. Louisiana Centre graduates have gone on to excel in a wide variety of professions. Between 60 and 85 per cent of LCB graduates go on to find competitive employment.

“Canadian Federation of the Blind has evaluated me and they firmly believe that the Louisiana Centre for the Blind program offers me significant potential for retaining my independence. Unfortunately, the training is not available in Canada and is not funded by government,” says Nancy.

For this reason, Nancy hopes to raise the $40,000 needed to access this program. The amount includes costs for tuition and personal living expenses.

At the end of the intensive nine-month training program, she would have been trained in Braille, independent travel with the long white cane, home management, industrial arts and home repair.

“Most importantly, by the end of the training, I expect to be fully equipped to go on to various kinds of further education and / or job training or to seek employment,” says Nancy.

 

NANCY is holding a fundraiser on Saturday, April 25 at 7 p.m. at Village Pub (7725 Champlain Crescent, Vancouver) to assist her reach this goal. The event will include a live band, door prizes and a silent auction. Tickets are for $20 per person.

“I am asking for donations of door prizes, auction items or cash to help me raise the money I need to learn how to be blind successfully. Any assistance you can provide will greatly enhance my opportunity for independent living, productive participation in my community and an opportunity for a quality of life,” says Nancy.

If you require additional information, feel free to contact Nancy at (604) 431-5095 or by email at burnabyblindconnections@gmail.com.

You can donate to “Nancy Gill Blind Event” account 00320-5192356 at Royal Bank.

Or you can go to http://dm2.gofund.me/Blind-Nancy-Gill