The post What You Don’t See: Joan Kelly Walker, the real woman behind the glitter appeared first on Joan Kelley Walker.

Canadians impacted by blindness strive for independence, just like everyone else. 91% want to work and all require the necessary technology to assist them in leading an independent life, just like everyone else. CNIB’s Guide Dog program is driving achievement and equality across Canada by training and matching dogs exclusively for people with sight loss. Guide dogs are among the most highly trained dogs in the world, performing tasks that require intensive standardized training. People with sight loss often say having a guide dog is a transformational experience. Being part of a guide dog team provides mobility, safety, and confidence, leading to increased independence and a sense of connection with the world. It offers opportunities to live, wor,k and play without barriers.

These inspiring dogs have three career options:

• A “guide dog” is partnered with an adult who is blind.
• A “buddy dog” is partnered with a child or youth who is blind or has low vision.
• An “ambassador dog” is partnered with a staff member or volunteer to promote CNIB guide dogs to the public to deepen awareness and understanding.

So far this program has been hugely successful playing a pivotal role in positively impacting the lives of people who are blind across Canada. The program continues to grow but there is an ongoing increase in demand. Since 2020, there has been a dramatic 375% escalation in interest and applications for guide dogs. Help is needed to meet demands for these highly trained animals that act as eyes for people who are blind. Every Canadian who is blind should be able to have a guide dog at no cost. Dogs are trained all across the country and CNIB is looking to expand its Canine Campus to accommodate more dogs in training or begin a breeding program to minimize wait times.

Currently, there are more than 200 active dogs in the program including dogs in various stages of training and matched graduates all across the country. A CNIB puppy development program has been launched to support an ethical and sustainable breeding plan to meet the growing demand of guide dog applicants. It warms my heart to hear from this anonymous guide dog user who says “My guide dog has graduated university with me. He accompanies me on trains, planes, buses, boats, subways and taxis. It is so difficult to put into words how my guide dog has transformed my life!” Another guide dog user shares “My guide dog is my freedom. Without him, I am unable to live the life I want.” The success of CNIB’s Guide Dog program is to be celebrated but there is still much work to be done and funds needed for training, veterinary bills, food, harnesses, leashes, toys, medicine, travel, etc.

Joan Kelley Walker is a TV personality and star of The Real Housewives of Toronto, as well as an avid supporter of youth by being an ambassador for World Vision and having sat as chair of United Way York Region’s Women’s Leadership Council.

The post It’s a Dog’s Life appeared first on Joan Kelley Walker.

As the oldest girl, Shadia is expected to fetch the water for the household. Today I walk with her. Today the whole family joins in because I am a “special guest”. The average distance families like theirs walk to collect water is six km, the average weight of the water is 40 lbs. On most days Shadia is vulnerable as she walks, open to harassment, animals, rape, and even kidnap ping. She may have to wait in line to collect water, or she may have to collect water multiple times a day, resulting in less time available for her to attend school. The dropout rate for young girls is very high.

In Uganda, 44 percent of people use unclean water. Stunting growth rates in children under five years old is 28 percent considerably higher than the international average of 22.3 percent. According to the World Health Organization, in 2022 148.1 million children under five years of age were too short for their age, and 45 million were too thin for their height. It doesn’t stop there. On top of malnutrition, there is a myriad of other problems that unsafe water can lead to. Contamination- ed water and poor water quality are linked to the transmission of many diseases such as, cholera, diarrhea, hepatitis A, typhoid, and polio. According to the WHO, about one million people are estimated to die each year from diarrhea as a result of unsafe drinking water.

The post The Water Walk appeared first on Joan Kelley Walker.

The post Heart of Gold appeared first on Joan Kelley Walker.

The post ‘It has to speak to your heart’: Donors share why charity is a priority for them appeared first on Joan Kelley Walker.

What sets these inspiring Canadians apart is that, rather than just dreaming of a better world, they have channelled their passion into real action – with game-changing results. Some, though by no means all, have been blessed by good fortune; but rather than merely enjoying the privileges of affluence, they’ve focused on turning their resources to the greater good. Others were passionate about their cause from a very early age, and as they’ve grown, youthful enthusiasm has been transformed into action. And a third group has had greatness thrust upon them, either through life circumstances or a special expertise that has given them insights that the rest of us may not possess.

The post Community Leaders & Game Changers appeared first on Joan Kelley Walker.

The post Joan Kelley Walker – Leading with Compassion and Grace appeared first on Joan Kelley Walker.

The post HEALINGAND HOPE appeared first on Joan Kelley Walker.

The post SPREADING THEIR WINGS appeared first on Joan Kelley Walker.

The post HELPING THOSE WHO HELP OTHERS appeared first on Joan Kelley Walker.