When seven-year-old Ollie woke up in the pediatric oncology ward after a lumbar puncture, his first words were: “Mom, can you turn the lights on?”
But the lights in the hospital room were already on.
That was the moment Ollie’s parents realized he had lost his sight. The rare aggressive childhood cancer he’d been battling – anaplastic large cell lymphoma – had spread to his brain and spine, damaging his optic nerves.
Ollie and his family suddenly found themselves navigating a new world: one that too often fails to meet the needs of children who are blind.
Finding Hope – and a path forward
In the hospital, a member of the rehabilitation team asked Ollie’s mom, Dawn, whether she wanted to be connected to CNIB and its partners like Vision Loss Rehabilitation Canada (VLRC). Dawn said “yes” right away, needing support to help Ollie navigate his new darkness.
It was at one of their first meetings with VLRC that they heard about CNIB buddy dogs – dogs that are partnered with children and youth between the ages of seven and 16 who are blind or have low vision.
“When we heard about the program, it really did actually give him hope,” Dawn said. “It’s really hard when you have a seven-year-old, who’s that sick, to try and keep them motivated to want to go through all the pain and all the treatments.”
Ollie had always wanted a dog – and he knew that if he wanted to take care of one, he had to get better. The prospect of a buddy dog was exactly the motivation he needed to keep going.
In early 2021, Ollie was matched with Hope, a two-year-old black Labrador retriever.
She quickly became his best friend, constant source of comfort, and a major
confidence booster.
“I got this beautiful, great girl, who responds to my every need and who’s making me more confident,” he said. “She’s phenomenal at helping me feel better when I’m sad, and sleeps with me at night to make me less scared of the darkness.”
With Hope by his side – and the continued support of CNIB and its supporters – Ollie’s world has only gotten richer and fuller as he’s gotten older.
Over the years, he’s finessed his braille skills; taken up acoustic and electric guitar, therapeutic martial arts, and skateboarding; fallen in love with adaptive sports like blind hockey; and tackled new challenges with joy, determination, and fearlessness.
“CNIB has given him a safe, non-judgmental space to explore and grow,” Dawn said.
Every summer, Ollie experiences the magic of CNIB Lake Joe, Canada’s only fully accessible camp for people who are blind – and all year round, he enjoys weekly events and programs
with his friends at his local CNIB Community Hub.
“I’ve made a lot of new friends through CNIB. There’s not a moment I can think of when we’re not together,” Ollie said. “It feels really good to know that I have friends backing me up in my corner if I ever need help or need to talk to them.”
A future full of possibilities
While Ollie is thriving, Dawn knows there are so many more kids like her son who still face enormous barriers across the country.
That’s why CNIB launched Next Generation , a new initiative to ensure every child and family impacted by blindness gets the tools, opportunities, and support they need to succeed. From national parent support groups and inclusive classroom resources to new tools to navigate health and education systems, CNIB is working to create a world where no child is unfairly left behind because of their sight.
Supporters like you make it all possible
Dawn said she finds it reassuring to know that CNIB and its supporters will continue to show up for Ollie and their family – not just now, but as he grows up. In the future, if Ollie needs a guide dog, help navigating university, or career counselling, Dawn takes comfort in knowing the CNIB community will be there.
“Our incredible gratitude goes to everyone who donates and makes all these programs possible,” Dawn said. “Thank you for helping to level the playing field for kids who are blind.”
Ollie added, “Thank you so very much – I’m very grateful you help make these programs happen for me and my friends!”
If you believe every child deserves the chance to thrive, please consider making a gift to CNIB today. Thank you for empowering families like Dawn and Ollie’s – and for helping build a bright future where every Canadian, regardless of sight, can thrive.