Triple Vision
Welcome to Triple Vision, the podcast which recounts the past, present, and future of blindness in Canada, one story at a time. The Triple Vision podcasts began in September 2021 as a way of sharing the history of Canadians who are blind, deafblind, or partially sighted. From the point of view of those who have that lived experience. In our first year, we covered topics ranging from the history of the Canadian National Institute for the blind (CNIB), to colonialism, library services, eugenics, advocacy, education and employment. Recently our team has turned its attention to the theme “Danger of the Single Story” (starting with episode 27) where we explored what happens when others tell the story of a person, or community, when the story-teller is not part of that community.
The team consists of four intrepid individuals who have sight loss and who have lived much of the history that we tell: Charlyn Ayotte, David Best, Peter Field and Karoline Bourdeau. And of course, we acknowledge and remember John Rae (A K A The Penguin) who left us in 2022. His guidance and commitment to the Pandora Project Are missed.
We are always looking for stories to share so if you have a story about blind Canadians which you think should be told, please reach out to us at info@triplevision.team
The intent of this website and Triple Vision podcast is to recount the past, present, and future of blindness in Canada. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker's own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of the Triple Vision Team, nor its suppliers, partners or sponsors. The material and information presented here is for entertainment and general information purposes only. Triple Vision appreciates that there is a diversity of views to be shared on the topics we cover, and we embrace this diversity.
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Finding Joy Beyond Vision: Exploring Attitudes, Then and Now, of the Church Towards Persons who are Blind, Deafblind, and Partially Sighted
I have to admit that in this second of our installments looking at the impacts of organized religion, particularly Christianity, on persons with disabilities I have been surprised. But let me step back a minute to say that there is much to be uncovered in this topic yet. As I indicated in the November podcast, we have only looked at Christianity. I wonder if the other major religions, Judaism and Islam would tell a different story and a different history. I am sure there are many academic papers written on this topic as religion, a construct of culture, has doubtless always had an impact on the lives of persons with disabilities, and people who are blind in particular.
But in this latest podcast I was pleasantly surprised by Pastor Danny Leung. Rev. Leung runs the organization, the Joy beyond vision community, an organization which seeks to improve the lives of individuals who are blind, particularly within the Chinese community. It is impressive the programs and services which the organization offers, including the management of a café, north of Toronto, which employs only blind employees. But more than just the programs, is Danny Leung himself - positive, energetic, and authentic. While I can’t share his enthusiasm for his faith, I do admire it. Even wish I could cultivate it for myself. But my path has gone in a different direction and will never wander back to the days where I believed I could find answers in religion, and even spirituality. I do, however, find my inspiration in the natural world. For days and weekends I would cram myself into the bow of a canoe, and endure, even relish, dirty, mosquito-infested portages, just to get out there. Just to be immersed in the natural world. There I Would hear the wind whisper, enjoy the lapping of water against the side of the canoe and on my paddle, fall asleep at night and wake up in the morning in my tent to the magical sounds of that world all around me. One unforgettable morning I woke to the sounds of wolves calling back and forth, at some distance, but very distinct. I had been camping with some friends in a small canyon. WE spent an hour or more that morning listening to one lone wolf calling, to be answered by a pack some distance away. Truly magical as their calls echoed through that canyon.
I have never slept better than when in a tent. At one point in my life when I felt I was truly alone, I embraced that aloneness even more. With the support of an outfitter I would be dropped off on the side of the lake on a Friday evening. I would spend the weekend camping by myself until the outfitter returned on Sunday to bring me back in again. By Sunday I was ready to talk to someone.
But Danny, and people like him, seek their inspiration in community, in helping others and sharing their vision of what the world is, and could be. I have done that too, and it is what we do, to some extent, with Triple Vision. We try to pull back the curtain just a little to allow a glimpse into the history of the community. We offer a perspective of the way things currently are and have conversations with people about how they could be in the future. I admire and support Danny Leung’s life work. We need many more people like him to show others what they can be.
In June this year I Lost a good friend from university to colon cancer. Robin had put up an incredible 14-year fight which is well detailed in her book and blog, "The Cancer Olympics". In her blog Robin would always reference the lyrics from a song which she could relate to on that moment of her journey. Seems like a good idea if I may borrow from Robin. So for this blog I’m going to end with the words of one of my favourite artists which remind me of the magic of being in a canoe and immersing myself in the natural world. Enjoy.
Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy, sunshine in my eyes can make me cry.
Sunshine on the water looks so lovely, sunshine almost always makes me high.
If I had a day that I could give you, I’d give to you the day just like today.
If I had a song that I could sing for you, I’d sing a song to make you feel this way.
Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy, sunshine in my eyes can make me cry.
Sunshine on the water looks so lovely, sunshine almost always makes me high.
If I had a tale that I could tell you, I’d tell a tale sure to make you smile.
If I had a wish that I could wish for you, I’d make a wish for sunshine for all the while.
Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy, sunshine in my eyes can make me cry.
Sunshine on the water looks so lovely, sunshine almost always makes me high.
Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy, sunshine in my eyes can make me cry.
Sunshine on the water looks so lovely, sunshine almost always makes me high.
Sunshine almost all the time makes me high. Sunshine almost always.
(written by John Denver)
Author: Peter Field
Published: December 30, 2024