your neighbourhood. your newspaper.
Spirit of Women Fund gives out its first bursary
Join us for two very exciting FREE TRAVEL EVENTS
downtown
z | Page 2
Travel Talk by Trafalgar Tuesday, February 3
The Golden Buddha continuously growing
Avalon Waterways River Cruises Monday, February 9
z | Page 5
Space is limited - register today!
Volume 14 Number 4 | 50¢
January 29, 2015
Contact TRAVELWISE at 250-851-0211
White Cane Week brings awareness of ability A lack of sight is not a lack of vision and that is never more apparent than during White Cane Week. The annual celebration is happening this February 1 through 7 with its aim to create awareness of issues that confront the blind and vision impaired community, but just as important, demonstrate to others as well as themselves, ability over disability. One thing that is important to note about vision loss and blindness is that blindness knows no boundaries... it does not discriminate. Blindness does not care what country you are from, how you were brought up, how much money you make or whether you are a man or a woman. “We’ve been doing White Cane Week in Kamloops for 22 years,” tells Vern Short, White Cane Society spokesman. “The object is to raise awareness and promote education of blindness and vision loss.” It is estimated that there are over 1,000,000 people in Canada who live with significant vision loss and blindness today. Kamloops itself has over 700 people who are clients of the CNIB (Canadian National Institute for the Blind) with various eye conditions. The White Cane club in Kamloops has 35 members who gather for social outings and support. Many of them can be seen with white canes, which is symbol of
ability and independence, not dis- sis,” tells Vern. “We are not sure ability and White Cane Week aims who will be there but I know to show you exactly why. There that Donovan Cavers likes to are three types of white canes that get out as well as Arjun Singh. identify a person as having vision I bowl each Monday with the loss in addition to meeting other Kamloops Blind Bowling team. mobility and travel needs. The majority of bowlers come The long cane is most often from the North Shore, some used for mobility and assists with from other areas. Rain or shine object detection and depth per- we show up to bowl.” ception, alerting the individual to Here in the downtown core, the gradient changes and upcoming White Cane Week Committee barriers or dangers in the path of will be holding a wrap-up luntravel. A support cane is the least cheon at Desert Gardens, which recognized of the white canes will feature a guest speaker. and is used to assist with balance; “The luncheon runs from 12 mostly used by seniors who need noon to 1:00pm on February 5,” extra support explains Vern. and stability. “Tickets are only I bowl each Monday And finally, $10 for the pubwith the Kamloops an ID cane is lic and $5 for Blind Bowling team. used for idenmembers. You Rain or shine we show tifying oneself probably can’t up to bowl. as a person get a sandwich, — Vern Short, White Cane with vision soup and a coffee Society spokesman loss so that for cheaper anyothers will respond appropriately where else.” by not impeding the path of travel The luncheon is a great way to or by offering assistance. get to know people in the white One of the events during White cane community here in KamCane Week is a City Council - loops. You must pre-register as Media bowling experience with there is limited availability and the White Cane Bowlers. There you can call Vern to do so. will be a variety of eye goggles, For more information about which will simulate different eye White Cane Week or the Kamloops conditions for the participants to Club you can contact Vern Short at wear so they can see firsthand 250-376-4493 Desert Gardens is what it’s like. located at 540 Seymour Street here “It will give them an idea of in Downtown Kamloops. what we live with on a daily baTanya Orozco, freelance
“
”
Sleep Gallery
Vern Short stopped by the Echo office to share his information on White Cane Week.
Sleep Gallery 198 West Victoria Street (next to Stereo Warehouse) 250-377-3818
Huge Selec tion of Pillo ws, Mat tres s Cove rs & Shee ts!
WINTER CLEARANCE EVENT $244
SERTA Queen Matress Only
$494
SMART CHOICE Queen Set
$794
PERFECT SLEEPER Queen Set
’S WORLD MAKESSTTRESS SERTA A M BEST
FREE DELIVERY & PICK-UP OF OLD MATTRESS *
*Some restrictions apply.