CNIB holding Shades of Fun event to raise awareness on protecting eyes

By Pamela Cowan, Leader-Post

REGINA — These days, the sun's harmful rays aren't top of mind, but the Canadian National Institute for the Blind hopes everyone wears wild and wacky shades — at least on top of their heads on Thursday.

Across Canada, the CNIB is holding Shades of Fun — an event to raise awareness about the need to protect eyes from damaging UV rays and raise money for the vital services the organization provides the visually impaired.

"In Saskatchewan, the Minister of Health designated the month of May Vision Health Month and the mayor of the City of Regina has designated (Thursday) as Shades of Fun day," said Susan Mooney, the CNIB's associate director of services and operations for Saskatchewan.

"Get your sunglasses on and at the same time have some fun while you're doing it. And, if you can, raise some money for CNIB.

"People can have a dress-down day and come to work with their shades on and kick in a couple of bucks — whether you wear your shades on your head or you've got them on their face."

Long-term exposure to UV rays increases the risk of developing cataracts and age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of vision loss in Canadians over 50.

All proceeds from Vision Health Month will fund services that include counseling, vision aids, computer training and free access to the CNIB Library.

"From helping people learn how to live independently in their homes and do their cooking and cleaning to learning how to travel independently," Mooney said. "Sometimes, you see the long, white cane, but there are other people who just need extra help when they're losing their vision. They can't see the bus sign, they can't see across the street or they're feeling uncomfortable. They can come to the CNIB and our staff will help them gain some skills."

Aids, such as a monocular, help the visually impaired see the bus number or see the walk light across the street, she said.

"When you first are losing vision, and for some time afterward, having the opportunity to talk to somebody is important so we have counselors in Saskatchewan who you can talk to about how you're managing and how you're feeling," Mooney said.

You don't have to be blind to access CNIB services, you can self-refer and there's no charge.

CNIB offices in Regina and Saskatoon offer employment counseling to people who begin to lose their vision in their working years, Mooney said.

"We also go out and work in communities across the province," she said. "When you support an activity like Shades of Fun and you wonder where your money is going, part of it is helping Saskatchewan residents, regardless of where they live, to access the services of CNIB."