Braille bingo is a hands-on way to learn about sight loss

As part of White Cane Week, a Montreal organization's Braille bingo is a hands-on way to promote awareness of those with sight loss.

Every Thursday, clients gather at the Lethbridge-Layton-Mackay Rehabilitation Centre for bingo. It’s a chance to mingle with friends who have also lost their vision.

Last week, everyone was invited to join in honour of White Cane Week, which promotes awareness and independence for those with sight loss.

President of the Quebec Foundation of the Blind, Lucio D’Intino, says he hopes it opens the public’s eyes.

“The more we can educate, the better it is, better not just for us but for sighted people as well,” he said.

D’Intino says that Braille bingo is a hands-on way to get their message across.

“Braille is actually another language,” he said. “It’s completely different than print reading. You need to really pay attention.”

They hope these sorts of activities can help the public understand their experience, but vision rehabilitation specialist Natalie Osbourne says there are many misconceptions.

“Unfortunately, if you don’t work in vision, there’s not a lot of understanding in vision loss, even among professionals at the health-care system level, let alone the public.”

Lethbridge-Layton-Mackay Rehabilitation Centre client, Clifford Rodgers, agrees.

“When you’re a blind person, people look at you in a different way,” he said. “You’re walking down the sidewal,k and everybody steps off it and walks like, 20 feet away from you.”

Support for those with vision loss is offered year-round, which is key to carrying on with a normal life, says program manager Stephanie Desjardins.

“We can offer groups, we can teach the strategies,“ she said. ”The important thing is that they can continue with daily living, and what they love doing.”

Building connections and fostering relationships is a key piece of the puzzle, and Rodgers is happy to welcome newcomers.

“When new people join, I right away approach them and introduce myself, offer my help. I just want to make their life easier,” he said.

Rodgers adds life doesn’t stop after a diagnosis, “you have to learn to keep on going.”