There are approximately 800 children/youth who are blind or partially sighted in BC and their families are spread across all regions of BC. It is not uncommon for a child to be the only one in their family, school, or community who is blind, resulting in the child and their family feeling quite isolated.
Through Blind Beginnings Support Groups, children, teens, and their parents are able to develop a community of support with peers who understand the unique circumstances they are facing.
Support Groups
Virtual Parents Night Out
Virtual Parents Night Out is a place for parents to receive information about topics that are relevant to raising a child with a visual impairment. This is an informal drop-in support group where parents can connect virtually from anywhere in the province and support each other once a month.
Every month at Virtual Parent's Night Out, we offer a workshop where parents will be able to gain information and resources about a pre-determined topic relevant to blindness in childhood.
After the workshop, parents can socialize and connect to share their challenges, frustrations, worries, and strategies for coping. This group is facilitated by a registered clinical counsellor and is a great place to receive invaluable information and resources as well as support from other parents.
“This has been EVERYTHING to me. So helpful to have a safe place to chat with other people going through the journey also.”
Kids Connect Junior Support Group
Our Kids Connect Junior Support Group is designed for children 7 – 13 years who are blind or partially sighted. Children from all across BC have been able to connect with each other, receive support and establish friendships that would not have been possible without this online group.
Each meeting we start with a check-in where kids can share how their week has been and how they are feeling that day. We ask the kids to describe the way they are feeling by comparing it to something like a flavour, the weather, an animal, etc.
Following the check-in the kids are able to request how they want to spend the group time. This could be playing games, telling jokes and riddles, talking about our favourite books, movies, superheroes, creating stories, or just chatting. At the end of the group we do a check-out where kids share something they are looking forward to over the coming week.
“Kids Connect is one of my son’s favorite events each month ... I feel that this is a valuable time for him as it is something special that he gets to do and also helps to remind him that he is not the only one dealing with challenges.”
MONTHLY DROP-IN TEEN SUPPORT GROUP
Being the only blind or partially sighted youth in your school or community can be tough.
You want to be liked and accepted by your sighted peers, but you are not sure how to connect with them when they seem to focus on your differences. So much of your time and energy is spent learning additional blindness-related skills and advocating for your needs, which leaves less time for just being a teen.
The Blind Beginnings Drop-in Teen Support group is a place where you can connect with other teens who are blind or partially sighted in a safe and comfortable space.
We know that when you connect with a community of peers who understand, you no longer feel alone.
Each month we’ll begin with introductions and a check-in on how we are feeling. Next we’ll ask if anybody has a topic or challenge they would like to talk about that day. In addition to talking through our challenges, we’ll also practice some coping strategies including mindfulness, breathing exercises, noticing and naming our feelings, and self-compassion. We’ll finish each session with a Check-Out and a homework suggestion
“Seeing THings Differently” Parent Support Group
If you are like most parents of a child who is blind or partially sighted, you had not met anybody who was blind before your child was diagnosed. The “Seeing Things Differently” Parent Support Group is a place to connect with other parents who have a first-hand understanding of what you are going through.
You have a child with a visual impairment which means life is now different. On top of typical parenting, you have the added challenge of learning about an unfamiliar diagnosis, trying to understand what your child can or can’t see, and juggling appointments with a range of doctors and specialists. If you are like most parents of a child who is blind or partially sighted, you feel like you are the only one with these types of parenting challenges and considerations.
This is a safe and supportive place to connect with other parents who have a first-hand understanding of what you are going through. In our Seeing Things Differently Support Group, parents are invited to come together to talk through many of the common challenges they are facing.
“It was a great pleasure to meet with other parents facing the same challenge. We learned a lot from each other and it helped us to plan our future and to overcome immediate hardship.”
Barrier-Free Programming
We strive to make all our programs barrier-free environments. If any family or individual has any sort of barrier to participation (eg. mobility, technology needs, language barriers, etc.), please contact us at info@blindbeginnings.ca or call 866.736.8620 (Toll-Free) or 604.434.7243 and we will do our best to accommodate.
Participation in our programs and services require a Blind Beginnings Annual Membership. Sign up today!
Blind Beginnings Membership
Keep up with all our programs, special events, and news, and sign up for our newsletter below.