Meet the CNIB Lake Joe Community

The CNIB Lake Joe Advisory Board (LJAB) is currently recruiting new members. Jane Casey, LJAB member and long-time CNIB Lake Joe alumnus shares why she joined the Board and why you should consider this opportunity too.

David Throssell, Executive Consultant at IG Private Wealth Management – Throssell Group, has a long-time history with CNIB and played a special role as the presenting sponsor of CNIB Lake Joe’s 2023 Cookout With Cuddy fundraising event. Thrilled that David will be our presenting sponsor again for the 2024 Cookout With Cuddy encore event, we wanted you to learn more about him and why he couldn’t resist the chance to support CNIB Lake Joe.

It has been said that in order to truly grow, we must be willing to stretch. Vivian Chong, past CNIB Lake Joe guest, long-time CNIB Lake Joe volunteer and yoga practitioner has been stretching her whole life and encourages everyone to “expand yourself!”

In 2014, at the age of 38, Khrisstina's world was forever changed when a stroke caused her to lose her sight. The following two years were a tremendous struggle, marked by a profound loss of direction and the challenge of navigating life without sight. In 2016, she took a pivotal step by attending CNIB Lake Joe, a decision that would redefine her perspective on her ‘second life’ after losing her sight.

The COVID-19 pandemic was all about keeping everyone safe at home, but for the Gillan family – and hundreds like them – it was the start of a whole new way to connect with others sharing a sight loss journey.

When Matt first arrived at CNIB Lake Joe in his role as a volunteer counsellor, he was a teenager with a humble goal of completing volunteer hours for school. He jumped at the chance to get involved with CNIB Lake Joe as it was a stone’s throw from his family’s cottage. It didn’t take long before he began to understand the magic of CNIB Lake Joe.

CNIB Lake Joe is lucky to have long-time volunteers, but not many are like Jess Bailey. She has been volunteering at CNIB Lake Joe for most of her life!

We are so pleased to welcome Maria to CNIB Lake Joe as our new Program Manager.

Jade Ondrik, Virtual Music Specialist at CNIB Lake Joe, has been singing her heart out for as long as she can remember. The 19-year-old GTA resident was enrolled in vocal classes when she was just four years old and has been singing, dancing, and acting her whole life.

Alessia Trulli’s life changed at 22 when she woke up one day and couldn’t see. Diagnosed with cone-rod dystrophy, Alessia was going to school and supply teaching as an Early Childhood Educator as she started to adjust to her sight loss.