For 72 years, the first week in February has been 91裸聊视频淲hite Cane Week91裸聊视频� in Canada.

This year, thanks in large part to the work of Comox resident Pat Chicquen, Feb. 4-10 will also be White Cane Week in the province of British Columbia.

Chicquen, the 2nd vice-president of the Canadian Council of the Blind, BC-Yukon Division, spearheaded the campaign to have the nationally-celebrated week recognized at the provincial level. She received word of the provincial decision by way of email earlier this year, along with the official proclamation.

The document, signed by BC Lieutenant Governor Judith Guichon, and Attorney General David Eby, reads in part:

91裸聊视频�WHEREAS since 1946, the first full week of February has traditionally been 91裸聊视频榃hite Cane Week91裸聊视频� in Canada due to the initiative of the Canadian Council of the Blind, and

WHEREAS the objective of White Cane Week is to provide education and awareness of vision loss to British Columbians through a network of special events and hands-on demonstrations throughout the province, and

WHEREAS White Cane Week has evolved to reflect the changing situations of the blind community and has begun to emphasize equal capabilities and talents of people who are blind and partially sighted, and

WHEREAS with the province91裸聊视频檚 aging population, all British Columbians need to be better informed about the effects of vision loss and to work towards creating more supportive, inclusive communities;

NOW KNOW YE THAT, We do by these presents proclaim and declare February 4 to 10, 2018 shall be known as 91裸聊视频榃hite Cane Week91裸聊视频� in the Province of British Columbia.91裸聊视频�

91裸聊视频淲e have never thought about pursuing this before,91裸聊视频� said Chicquen, of her motivation to push for the provincial designation of White Cane Week. 91裸聊视频淪o I had this idea do it and I started it91裸聊视频� I just feel that people need to be better educated about the blind, and about sight loss in our country.

91裸聊视频淓very day in our country, 135 people are pronounced legally blind, or blind.91裸聊视频�

It is a steadily growing community, but Chicquen said there are steps that could be taken to prevent, or at least slow its growth.

91裸聊视频淥ptometrist visits are so important,91裸聊视频� she said. 91裸聊视频淎t least once a year, or once every two years. So many people say 91裸聊视频榳hy would I go to the optometrist; I can91裸聊视频檛 afford glasses.91裸聊视频� But can you afford glaucoma, or all those other things that are basically now arrestable? So many people say they can91裸聊视频檛 afford it, but they can afford 20 cups of coffee, or the other things that they do. Things like teeth can be replaced. Eyes can91裸聊视频檛.91裸聊视频�

Community chapters of the Canadian Council of the Blind are known as White Cane Clubs, of which there are 29 in the province.