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We love sharing information about our partners and letting our friends get to know them better! This week we are highlighting the Canadian Guide Dogs. They have returned again this year to host a fundraising rain barrel sale.

The National Training Centre for Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind is located in Manotick, Ontario; a village in the southern part of Ottawa.  Their annual fundraising rain barrel sale is one of numerous fundraising events held throughout the year.  Rain barrels are $55 each and can be ordered online at www.RainBarrel.ca/GuideDogs

Here, we feature the story of one of their clients, Gillian, to demonstrate the importance of Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind.

CANADIAN GUIDE DOGS FOR THE BLIND CLIENT PROFILE – GILLIAN

Gillian was born with low vision, but it was not until her mid-thirties that she was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa, commonly referred to as “R.P.”

Genetics can play a large role in developing R.P., but in Gillian’s case nobody else in her family has it.  Gillian isn’t able to pinpoint a specific day or year when she realized she was blind.  It was a very gradual process of her vision deteriorating.  Her first guide dog made the transition of vision loss much smoother.

Gillian and Favor were matched in April 2011, but it wasn’t her first time being trained with a guide dog.  “I’ve had two excellent dogs from Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind in the past”, says Gillian.

Overall, Gillian is a very confident person, but since receiving her first guide dog, that confidence level has grown.  Having a guide dog has enhanced Gillian’s mobility and life and enabled her to have a more ‘regular’ life and routine.  Prior to having a guide dog, Gillian says, “I stopped going out between 10-2 during the day because of the bright sun.  Sounds transmit louder during rainy nights and I also wouldn’t go out in the evening, especially if it was raining.  The snow and the dark deterred me from going out.  With a guide dog, I have no restrictions.”

As with Gillian’s past two dogs, Favor assists her in crossing the road in a straight line and finding the curb at the other side.  Favor will also negotiate faster than Gillian can, as the dog will see ahead and make proactive decisions, rather than reactive.  “If I had a white cane, it would slow me down.  With a dog, I can maintain a good speed”.  In addition to the mobility enhancements, Gillian says her life has been brightened by having her dog.  “A dog is always happy to see you and doesn’t judge you.  You are forced to be outside often in all seasons and you learn to appreciate nature and become a more patient person”.

Gillian traveled from her home in Penticton, B.C. to train at Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind.  Although she had gone through the training course with her past two dogs, it was a good refresher.  “Although I have never driven, it’s like a driver taking a retraining course to break bad habits.  It would be like forgetting to signal, checking your mirror or coming to a complete stop.  Guide dog users develop bad habits too that need to be broken”.  It was also important for Gillian to spend time developing a bond with Favor, so she feels as confident with her as with her past two guide dogs.  “Without Favor I would be on shaky ground.  I would be much more frightened crossing roads, more clumsy and bumping into more things.  In losing your vision, you lose trust in yourself and in others.  With a guide dog, we build mutual trust so that she can provide mobility, confidence and companionship”.

Gillian’s entire outlook is a positive one.  Despite being blind, her world is full of ‘vision and colour’.  “People think when you’re blind you see nothing but blackness.  Perhaps, I do, I don’t know.  My other senses are enhanced, and I see everything through my memory and imagination.  Because of my guide dogs, my life has taken a different route.  I am happy all the time”.Gillian applied to Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind, for the first time, after observing a friend’s experience with a guide dog.  Gillian has been pleased with the service she’s received.  Now, working with Favor, her third guide dog, Gillian says, “I returned to Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind based on the organization’s reputation.  The staff were very good at explaining things to me, and they are friendly and informative.

What is #GivingTuesday?

Created by The 92nd Street Y, a non-profit community and cultural center based in New York City, Giving Tuesday uses the idea of a marketed “holiday” to encourage the public to think about giving in a different way.

From the website: www.givingtuesday.org:

“‘We have a day for giving thanks. We have two for getting deals. This year help create #GivingTuesday™, the giving season’s opening day.

On Tuesday November 27, 2012 charities, families, businesses and individuals are coming together to transform the way people think about, talk about and participate in the giving season.

It’s a simple idea. Find a way for your family, your community, your company or your organization to join in acts of giving. Tell everyone you can about what you are doing and why it matters. Join a national celebration of our great tradition of generosity.

And together we’ll create ways to give more, give better and give smarter.”

RainBarrel.ca helps you support non-profit organizations with every purchase.  Celebrate #GivingTuesday this year by purchasing a rain barrel for someone you care about.

You can learn more information about #GivingTuesday by visiting the official website here.

 

Officials are warning Ontario residents to be ready for at least 72 hours without power and are predicting that some areas could see 50 + millimetres of rain and winds reaching 100 kilometres or more.

Below are links with information and helpful tools about staying safe during extreme storms:

1. Red Cross Urges Canadians to be prepared for severe storms
2. Ontarians should prepare for potential flooding of Hurricane Sandy
3. Tips for preparing your home for the effects of Hurricane Sandy

Please also remember that anything in your outdoor space that is not restrained and can be picked up by the wind should be put away. If you have not yet winterized your rain barrel now is a good time. Visit our maintenance page for instructions on how to do this.  –  Remember that rain barrels may burst as a result of expanding ice if not emptied and winterized.

Please stay safe.

– RainBarrel.ca

We partner with non-profit organizations to host fundraising truckload rain barrel sales. Visit our partnership page to learn more about raising funds for your group or cause.

You really do need to be careful where you leave your rain barrel. With the winter coming, RainBarrel.ca reminds you to maintain your rain barrel and keep it eligible for our warranty.

Read maintenance instructions and see our video describing them HERE.

Enjoy your barrel for years to come by properly maintaining and winterizing.