Local

Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

Helped by CNIB, happy to give back

By: Erin Madden

Posted: 08/17/2009 1:00 AM | Comments: 0 (including replies)

Deanna Ng says some of her most memorable moments working for the CNIB have been while helping out at its youth camps. (PHIL.HOSSACK@FREEPRESS.MB.CA)

Deanna Ng, 24, knows first-hand the difference the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) makes in the lives of the visually impaired.

Born with retinopathy of prematurity, she has just five per cent vision in her right eye and no vision in her left eye. Since she was just an infant, she has been a client of CNIB, receiving services which have allowed her to grow into the young lady she is today.

Raised in Minnedosa, she moved to Winnipeg six years ago to attend school and upon her move decided that she wanted to assist the organization that shaped her life.

"They helped me out lots throughout my whole life. They have provided many services that I've needed, so I want to give back," said Ng, who graduated from the University of Winnipeg and is now attending Red River College.

As a volunteer with CNIB, she has helped to fundraise by selling car raffle tickets, assisted with clerical work in the organization's offices and assisted with the youth summer camps, serving as a mentor to visually impaired children. She said it's important to her to help others who are visually impaired, just as past volunteers with the CNIB helped her.

"It's something that makes me happy. I enjoy doing it, knowing that I made a difference," said Ng.

She adds that some of her most memorable moments volunteering have come while helping with the youth camps. In addition to enjoying the interaction with the children and serving as a role model, she said it brought her back to her youth when she attended the camps, which she said was an important aspect of growing up, allowing her to meet other children with visual impairments.

"It's great to know that there are other people out there with disabilities and that there are supports like the CNIB," said Ng, adding that she hopes that she can make the same impact that the volunteers made on her when she attended camp as a youngster. "(The volunteers) were very fun, and they seemed to be very successful and happy, outgoing people who cared about other people. They made camp fun."

Attending those camps, along with the many other services she received from CNIB, has helped to get her to where she is today, living independently, attending school and working a summer job doing data entry for the provincial government's Department of Family Services and Housing.

When asked what she thinks her life would be like without the CNIB, she smiles and jokingly replies: "I would be in Minnedosa, at home, listening to my mom."

If you would like more information about CNIB or would like to become a volunteer, please contact Marlene Hatgistamatakis at 789-0953. More information can also be found online at www.cnib.ca.

Currently, the organization is in need of a pianist to accompany a choir, as well as volunteers to sell car raffle tickets and assist with clerical duties.

If you know a special volunteer who strives to make their community a better place to live, please contact Erin Madden at erinmadden@shaw.ca.

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition August 17, 2009 B2

(You must be logged in to post your reaction)

Your reaction?

More Local

Undock

You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.

The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010; View the changes. New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.