Christian Record Services

Story appeared in The Toronto Star May 29, 2007
Leslie Ferenc
Staff Reporter

Kristin Pazitka
CRS/NCB Volunteer

Blessed with perfect vision, Kristin Pazitka has used her gift to help others and gain greater insight into the challenges of being blind. A longtime volunteer at the National Camps for the Blind, the 19-year-old has spent seven summers walking in the shoes of those who can’t see.

As part of the rigorous training, camp volunteers and counsellors are blindfolded and kept in the dark as they nervously ride a horse, swim in the lake, hike, inch their way along unfamiliar hiking trails, up and down cabin climb stairs and eat. clumsily search for the food on their plate. They learn how difficult it is to live with visual impairment and just how much trust it takes to put your life in someone else’s hands.

It’s no wonder her seven years as a camp volunteer have been life-changing and given Pazitka great empathy for those who can only imagine the beauty of a setting sun. It’s why she takes nothing for granted.

Pazitka has also seen how isolating blindness can be and what a difference a week at camp can make in the lives of others.

More importantly, she’s learned every hurdle, no matter how great, can be overcome. But it means those who can need to look beyond the disability and see the person.

“They can do anything, except see,” Pazitka said of the campers. “Don’t treat them differently from anyone else. Lend a hand, but don’t force it,” said the Canadian University College student who is majoring in elementary education.

With camp only a few weeks away, Pazitka is organizing her nature walks to teach campers to identify flora and fauna and the trees of Muskoka using their other senses, such as touch, smell, hearing and even taste.

“We’ll be tasting some edible plants,” said the Canadian University College student who is majoring in elementary education.

“I can’t wait to get to camp. I’ve met so many fascinating and friendly people. It’s always so much fun. We all learn from each other.”

Celebrating 35 years of operation, this is the first year National Camps for the Blind has received support from the Fresh Air Fund.

“It’s giving us a head start and that’s why we’re so excited to be part of the Fresh Air Fund,” said executive director Patricia Page.

Campers at Lake Rousseau camp come from around Ontario with most from Toronto and the GTA.

The charity, which relies solely on donations, also has camps in British Columbia, Alberta and Nova Scotia. Many of the campers have lost their sight through illness such as diabetes, some were born with degenerative eye disease, while others become blind through accidents.

“In the real world, the campers are the disabled. At camp, they’re just folks and accepted for who they are,” said Page. “Adding a week at Lake Rousseau camp reunites old friends and helps make new ones. It makes a world of difference to be away.”

The words of one young woman still ring in Page’s ears: “She told me if not for camp, she would be dead,” Page recalled. “It’s where she is loved and hugged and does things she doesn’t get to do all year.”

For Page, seeing the smile on that camper’s face from one summer to the next is what it’s all about.