Deafblind Awareness Month highlights community achievements and dispels myths

June marks Deafblind Awareness Month, a time dedicated to fostering support, education, and celebration for the deafblind community. Ryan Riehl, a resident of Saskatchewan who is deafblind, shared his personal journey, including his past success in waterskiing and his current passion for painting sunsets.

“

It was kind of amazing. Within probably a week, two weeks, I was up skiing by myself.

Riehl recalled the thrill of learning to water ski, mastering the sport within weeks. Although a back injury now prevents him from waterskiing, he has found fulfillment in painting, a pursuit introduced by his mother. He focuses on capturing the beauty of sunsets, images he remembers from when his vision was clearer.

“

It’s finding things to keep busy, you can’t just… go on the phone and call a friend.

More than 600,000 people in Canada over the age of 15 identify as deafblind. Patricia Spicer, who is deafblind herself and works as a vocational counselor, stresses the importance of this awareness month. She aims to dismantle common misconceptions, such as the belief that deafblind individuals are completely deaf and blind, cannot communicate, or are incapable of independent living or employment.

“

My mother got me into painting. She thought I could do it and be able to put images that I see in my head onto canvas. So, I started to paint and an image that I remember when I could see really well, was a sunset. And I thought they were really beautiful to be able to see sunsets and trees.

Spicer emphasizes that many deafblind individuals possess diverse communication methods and can lead fulfilling, independent lives. She encourages the public to learn about the community, be supportive, and recognize the potential and possibilities within it. The City of Regina will illuminate City Hall with blue lights from June 26-28 to acknowledge Deafblind Awareness Month.

“

Awareness is important because it helps people understand the deaf-blind community. It reduces barriers and there’s lots of different avenues for miscommunication, misconceptions, but this allows for inclusivity in the community.