How advice, encouragement, and companionship reshaped one life
When Barb and Dave returned from a cruise to Hawaii earlier this year with their partners and a small group of friends, it felt like a milestone in their friendship. They’d travelled together, sharing experiences that went far beyond their weekly calls.
The two met through the donor-supported CNIB Vision Mate program, which pairs people who are blind, Deafblind, or have low vision with volunteers who offer companionship and real-world support. Sometimes that means helping with errands or getting organized. Sometimes it’s just having someone to talk to who truly understands.
For Barb and Dave, it became something more enduring.
One life built around sight loss, one life changed by it
Barb has spent her entire life navigating sight loss. Her mother noticed something was different when Barb was just three months old. Over time, what started as low vision gradually faded until she became blind.
Growing up as the only child who was blind in her community instilled independence early on.
She attended what’s now W. Ross Macdonald School, Canada’s only academic school for students who are blind or Deafblind, before taking child studies at Brock University. But when a required course proved too visual, she had to leave the program.
Ever resilient, Barb carved a new path. She trained as a registered massage therapist, worked for 20 years, and ran her own business. Now retired, she stays active through church, choir, and CNIB programs, including leading Knit Wits, a virtual knitting group that connects members across the country.
Dave’s journey with sight loss came later and far more suddenly. About 20 years ago, he woke up with a retinal detachment. Surgery restored his sight temporarily, but over the years, his sight declined more and more.
Before his doctor suggested CNIB, Dave was struggling. His marriage had ended, he rarely left the house, and daily tasks felt impossible. After years of travelling the world as a retail buyer, the change was jarring.
"When we first started chatting, he was literally afraid to walk out his front door."
– Barb
Learning independence again, one step at a time
Through CNIB programs, Dave rebuilt his confidence. Meeting other people with sight loss and hearing their stories gave him perspective and courage. Barb, his Vision Mate, offered guidance: “You just have to get out of the chair. There’s no secret sauce. You simply have to move forward with life.”
Dave admits it wasn’t easy. “I had to swallow my pride,” he says. “Barb helped immeasurably.”
Today, Dave’s life looks very different. His relationship with his kids is strong. He cooks, gardens, attends concerts and festivals, and travels with his partner, Denise. Barb and Dave’s friendship has never been one-sided, Barb says, as Dave’s hobbies and interests have taught her plenty, too. They even share a love of church and choir singing.
What started as a Vision Mate pairing has grown into a deep, enduring friendship built on trust and the quiet understanding that comes when someone truly appreciates you. With the support of donors like you, life-changing connections like Barb and Dave’s are being made every day.
Interested in becoming a Vision Mate? Check out our volunteer opportunities at cnib.ca/volunteer.
Want to request a Vision Mate? Learn more at cnib.ca/vision-mate.