This program is for parents who are raising a child who is blind or partially sighted in BC/Yukon

You have a child with a visual impairment which means life is now different.  On top of typical parenting, you have the added challenge of learning about an unfamiliar diagnosis, trying to understand what your child can or can’t see, and juggling appointments with PT’s, OT’s, and specialists.

If you are like most parents of a child who is blind or partially sighted, you had not met anybody who was blind before your child was diagnosed.  The Seeing Things Differently Parent Support Group is a place to connect with other parents who have a first-hand understanding of what you are going through.

When: The group will begin on Tuesday March 2, 2021 and will run for six consecutive Tuesday evenings until April 6 – March 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, and April 6, from 7:30 – 9:00 PM
Please mark these dates on your calendar. We ask that you commit to attending all 6 sessions
Who: Parents who are raising a child who is blind or partially sighted in BC/Yukon

Group Facilitators:
The group will be facilitated by Shawn Marsolais and Jan Hart; both are registered counsellors and parents.

Shawn Marsolais is a Registered Clinical Counsellor who has been working with children & youth who are blind or partially sighted for over twenty years.  She completed her Masters of Education in Vocational Rehabilitation Counselling in 2012, and has been offering individual counselling and facilitating Parent Support Groups through Blind Beginnings since then.  Shawn was born with a degenerative eye-condition that caused her vision to deteriorate throughout her childhood.  She understands firsthand the challenges families face when coming to terms with a permanent diagnosis.  Shawn also works part-time doing individual counselling in private practice through Denis Boyd & Associates in Coquitlam.

Jan Hart is a Registered Professional Counsellor with 6 years’ experience running her own counselling practice. She sees both individuals and families, has run counselling groups for children with anxiety as well as parent support evenings. She was a public School teacher for twenty years working mainly with elementary age students and also taught art in high school.  One of Jan’s motivations for becoming a counsellor was to assist others in the challenges of parenting