Today, we feature someone whose humour and strength is sure to inspire you.

William Ryan Jopling is a shy, yet intrepid, adventurer who has been a volunteer for more than 26 years.

He is an avid hiker and dare devil who loves working out. His current goal is to be in the best shape of his life at 52.

He has been a curler, dragon boater, tennis player, team manager, auction caller, Sherpa and so much more. William is also visually impaired and has been overcoming obstacles to live his best life since his diagnosis in primary school.

91裸聊视频淚 grew up on the east side of Winnipeg and attended a public school,91裸聊视频� shared William. 91裸聊视频淚 was the only blind kid in my neck of the woods.

91裸聊视频淚 had to carry the big CCTV (close-circuit television) the school provided from class to class. I was building muscle from a young age.91裸聊视频�

Asked why he volunteers, Williams says he wants to show other blind people that vision impairment is not an obstacle or a roadblock to their life. 91裸聊视频淚t is something that you can adapt and overcome. Volunteering also shows good credibility for job openings.91裸聊视频�

William bravely learned to trust himself walking on different sides of a cliff, not knowing if there was a drop, or how big the drop might be. He feels that not having depth perception allowed him to not feel fear.

91裸聊视频淚 always say, 91裸聊视频榃here there is a Will (William) there is a way! And since I am Will there is always a way,91裸聊视频� he laughed. 91裸聊视频淚 love to challenge myself more each year and to try new things.91裸聊视频�

William started volunteering at CNIB in 1998 after joining the blind curling team.

Since then, he has also volunteered with CRIS Adaptive Adventures and with Dragon Boat teams. He has won several medals 91裸聊视频� gold, silver and bronze.

91裸聊视频淚n 1999, a lady at CNIB contacted me and said she was forming a dragon boat team,91裸聊视频� recalled William.

91裸聊视频淎 group of us met to discuss the team and ended up forming the 91裸聊视频楽onar Dragons91裸聊视频�. It was new to me and I never knew I could do it.

91裸聊视频淟ook at me now.91裸聊视频�

William takes pride in founding the Sonar Dragons and then also volunteering to manage the 91裸聊视频楾railing Paddle Monkeys91裸聊视频� Dragon Boat team in Winnipeg.

91裸聊视频淭hey weren91裸聊视频檛 doing well and after I went out to train them, they celebrated three first place and one third place finishes that season.91裸聊视频�

With CRIS Adaptive Adventures, he volunteered for 14 years to help people with disabilities enjoy the outdoors.

91裸聊视频淚 was a volunteer Sherpa, the person who is on the front of the trail rider, pulling them through the trails.

91裸聊视频� I found my way because there was someone walking five feet in front of me and I followed their ankles. If they tripped, I would not step there.91裸聊视频�

William has a few favourite memories that he gained while volunteering 91裸聊视频� getting the nickname 91裸聊视频淒onny91裸聊视频� because a CRIS participant thought he looked like Donny Wahlberg, and playing catch with a seal on a tennis trip.

91裸聊视频淲e were on Main Island and I threw the ball into the water and the seal threw it back. People just saw me throwing the ball and did not know who was throwing it back. It was amazing.91裸聊视频�

William encourages everyone to volunteer with organizations and opportunities they would learn from. 91裸聊视频淰olunteering with blind people and people with would be a humbling experience,91裸聊视频� he states, knowing that volunteers are needed in every organization to make it work.

91裸聊视频淵ou would gain so much new information and a new and different outlook.91裸聊视频�

To find your volunteer opportunity, contact us at www.kcr.ca or the VolunteerConnector (www.volunteerconnector.org). CNIB is also looking for a Vision Mate and for this rewarding position go to https://www.cnib.ca/en/volunteer-opportunity/vision-mate-1?region=bc.

Dorothee Birker is the communications & development manager for KCR Community Resources. Call 250-763-8008, ext. 254 or email dorothee@kcr.ca.