January 12, 2010

Blind hockey player shows vision is not essential to reaching goals

KELOWNA, BC: This week, students who are visually impaired and blind will have a chance to skate with Mark DeMontis and hear his amazing story.  This 22-year-old began losing his sight as a teenager but continued to play hockey and recently completed a cross-Canada rollerblading journey to raise awareness of the challenges facing blind and visually impaired people. 

“Mark is a motivational speaker who believes that everyone should be able to follow their dreams and accomplish their goals, as he was able to continue playing hockey and so much more after he lost his vision,” says Lynn Langille, a Vision Resource teacher in School District No. 23. “We are very happy that he could visit our district.  His story is an inspiration and a reminder that challenges need not keep us from striving for our goals.”

Rose Valley Elementary Grade 5 and 6 students, Langille and her Vision Resource colleagues Barbara Lovich and Dawn Bennie, as well as Mike Lonergan from BC Blind Sports, have organized special events on January 14 and 15. 

Thursday January 14: Presentation to Intermediate classes and Goalball inservice with BC Blind Sports at Rose Valley Elementary from 9:00 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.   

Thursday January 14:  An Evening with Mark DeMontis and BC Blind Sports at the Central School Gym from 6:00 p.m to 8:00 p.m.  DeMontis will share his unique story with students and parents.  BC Blind Sports will also offer a Goalball orientation for students with the assistance of young adults who play the sport at a national level with BC Blind Sports.

Friday January 15th: Skate with Mark and Pizza Party Lunch at the Capital News Center from 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.  Vision Resource teachers and CEAs will take Vision students skating with Mark. 

DeMontis grew up in Toronto where he was an impressive student and athlete.  This multitalented individual excelled in public speaking, acting, journalism, baseball and hockey.  In his final season with the York Toros “AA” Hockey Club, he was offered a one-year contract with the Toronto Young Nationals “AAA” Hockey Club.  He was 17-years-old and dreaming of the NHL.  In August of that summer, his vision became blurry and DeMontis learned that he would lose his sight.  He had Leber's Optic Neuropathy, a mutation of the mitochondria, which results in degeneration of the retinas. To read more about DeMontis, visit: www.couragecanada.ca.  

Approved by the Superintendent and Lynn Langille on January 12, 2010

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For comments, please contact:

Lynn Langille, Vision Resource Teacher, Westside Educational Student Support (250) 768-5121, cell: (250) 863-0856

Peter Molloy, Director of Instruction, Student Support Services, (250) 860-8888

Hugh Gloster, Superintendent of Schools, (250) 860-8888

For background information, please contact Lisa Harrison lharriso@sd23.bc.ca or 470-3284.