Blind students get ice time thanks to Courage Canada.
Anuson Jeyan, right, helps Mirsab Matano skate at Weston Lions Arena Wednesday afternoon during a skating program for blind and visually impaired students.
Staff photo/NICK PERRY
Sarah Patel doesn't know how to skate, but that didn't stop the visually impaired teen from taking to the ice during Courage Canada's Learn to Skate program.
The 18-year-old Marc Garneau Collegiate Institute student was one of some 15 Toronto District School Board (TDSB) students who participated in the program Wednesday, Feb. 15 at Weston Lions Recreation Arena near Weston Road and Lawrence Avenue.
Born with Leber's congenital amaurosis (LCA), Patel has 20/200 vision and can make out people and objects, but details are fuzzy.
"I've been on the ice a lot of times, but I don't know how to skate," she said. "This (program) is an amazing opportunity. You feel like you can do anything. Even though I'm visually impaired, I can still do things people with sight can do."
Courage Canada was founded in 2008 by Weston resident Mark DeMontis, who lost central sight in both eyes at age 17.
"I wanted to start a national program where blind or legally blind kids could learn to skate just like other students in the classroom," DeMontis, 24, said. "Now we have over 200 kids in the program nation-wide. It's a safe, fun environment to play and skate."
A Triple-A hockey player, DeMontis had hopes of playing in the NCAA and making it to the NHL. But his dreams were cut short when he was diagnosed with Leber's optic neuropathy, rare condition that left him legally blind.
In 2008, DeMontis founded Courage Canada, a national, registered charity that aims to implement hockey schools across the country for blind and visually impaired youth.
In 2009, he embarked on a 5,000-kilometre in-line skating trek from Toronto to Vancouver to raise funds and awareness for his cause. Two years later, he completed the eastern portion of Canada while in-line skating.
Working with school boards across Canada, the Learn to Skate program brings blind and visually impaired youth together to experience skating and to socialize with kids in similar situations.
Funds raised for Courage Canada pay for equipment, transportation and ice time rental costs.
On Wednesday, visually impaired youth were paired with Weston Collegiate Institute students to learn basic skating skills, DeMontis said, adding a similar program was held last month in Toronto and two more are planned for this year.
"There are no blind/visually impaired hockey programs in Canada," he said.
Matthew Brook, a vision program teacher with the TDSB, said a focus on social interaction is central for his students' development.
"It's a really unique opportunity for our kids to get ice time with someone competent to assist them," he said. "Because they are all over the GTA, they don't know each other, so they are also learning social skills."