CNIB Peer Support Group coming to Kindersley
By Joan Janzen
The Canadian National Institute For The Blind (CNIB) is launching a new support group at Caleb Village in Kindersley beginning on the afternoon of February 13th. Aashini Patel, program coordinator for CNIB Saskatchewan South, is excited about this new initiative in Kindersley.
CNIB is launching a new support group at Caleb Village beginning Tuesday afternoon, Feb. 13th for anyone with vision loss. Photo CNIB website
“Picture cozy gatherings every second Tuesday of the month from 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.,” Patel explained. “It’s like a friendly get-together where we share stories, laughs, and support.”
The group will be guided by two volunteer leaders who have experienced their own personal journeys through vision loss. Their understanding and compassion will help create a welcoming environment for everyone who is involved.
“We accept volunteers without direct links to vision loss; however, we give preference to those who have personally (or via family) experienced visual loss,” Patel said. “Different viewpoints strengthen our team and improve our capacity to provide people with effective support.”
Everyone is invited to join the support group, whether from Caleb or beyond. CNIB is all about building a tight-knit community where everyone feels valued and understood.
Caleb’s decision to host the group was a result of a genuine desire to help. CNIB’s part is to help spread awareness, generate kindness, and share resources. Those resources include visiting guest speakers, professionals such as naturopathic doctors, lawyers and specialists in areas like sleep apnea. Other guest speakers will discuss nutrition, personal safety, fraud, and working with your pharmacist.
Not only will the group hear from these experts, but they will be able to engage in lively question-and-answer sessions. The guest speakers will share experiences in an effort to lift one another up.
“It’s like catching up with old friends,” Patel said. The discussion is driven by the interests and inquiries of the participants. “This approach ensures that conversations remain engaging and relevant to the needs of the community.”
The program will run year-round, with the exception of a break during the summer months. Patel is confident the Kindersley community will benefit from the peer support group, as it will help build resiliency and a sense of community among people dealing with visual loss.
Support groups are also being held in seven additional communities in southern Saskatchewan. It’s an excellent opportunity for those with vision loss to socialize and enjoy the company of others who understand what it is like to live with vision loss.