Mark DeMontis was only 17, and an avid hockey player, when he was diagnosed with a rare optic condition that eventually caused him to go blind.
He didn’t want to give up his favourite sport, so he founded Courage Canada, a national registered charity. The organization helps blind and visually-impaired youth learn to skate and play hockey.
On Monday, half a dozen visually impaired youngsters put on skates, some for the first time, and hit the ice at Prospera Place in Kelowna.
They were tutored by Courage Canada staff and volunteers.
Zach Miller, 13, of Kelowna says, “I think it’s a good chance for people like me to get on the ice and have fun.”
“Since he was young he’s loved being on the ice,” says his mother Heather DeMontis.
Austin Ludwar has been working on his skating since November. The nine-year-old happily chased an oversized, brightly coloured puck around the ice.
He says there is nothing he likes better than scoring a goal.
“It’s amazing how much he has improved,” says his mother, Sharon Ludwar.
Blind hockey players use pucks that are twice the normal size. Most of them are equipped with bells or rattles, so players can hear them.
The organization will be holding one-day skating camps in 13 different cities over the next few months.
Organizers estimated they will be working with at least 250 visually impaired kids, most of who have never been on skates before.
Comments