"HUMAN INTEREST STORY"
 

Blind Filipino Canadian Woman Empowers and Engages Fellow Blind Canadians

 

By Tony A. San Juan, OCT-Retired
Toronto-Canada
July 29, 2021
 




Being a person with a physical disability especially a "woman of colour", is considered a great burden to people with such an affliction and misfortune. But not to Elena Laude Aguilar, a Filipino Canadian woman who has been a resident of Toronto for the past 17 years. Elen or "Mato" to her family and friends, who is declared a legally blind person in Canada's living standard and working environment, said her "physical impairment is not a personal hindrance nor an "end-at all" impediment, but a big challenge and opportunity to people like her" especially when one still would want to contribute and share her skills and talent to society .



E.L. Aguilar, who hails from Atimonan, Quezon, Philippines became legally blind 2 years after immigrating to Canada in 2004. She is an active "white cane user" to guide her daily activity. Her disability, although it causes some fear, anxiety, and difficulties at times to herself, is not a total disappointment, she said. Emotionally stable and philosophically, strong, the visually challenged Elen cites instances that allow her to bravely "face the world" and pursue her passion to do the best she could in helping others in similar situations.

A graduate of AB Economics and with advanced credits in MA in Economics from Centro Escolar University, Philippines, E. L.Aguilar has taught as a college instructor at Roosevelt College-Marikina, National College of Business Administration-Quezon City, and Colegio de San Juan de Letran-Manila. She is a current member of the Ontario-based Philippine Teachers Association(PTAC), an organization of internationally-trained and experienced educators from the Philippines.

A breast cancer survivor for 20 years also, the sight-impaired Torontonian has built an impressive resume while working and living in her adopted country. To her professional credit, in 2008, Elena Aguilar together with FilCan social workers Armela V. Marano and Lailani M. Cuevas, co-founded, and is the Secretary-Treasurer of Durham Centre of Excellence( D'CENTEX), a registered charitable organization in Pickering, Durham Region. The Centre provides education, counseling, language instruction, employment support, job search programs, and information programs on Canadian culture and life for landed immigrants, refugees, caregivers, newcomers, and the disadvantaged in the Greater Toronto Area. The hub also offers integrative community living services for the Blind and Partially Sighted( BPS) clientele as well as gives free Personal Support Workers training, with a college partner, to address the shortage of PSWs and healthcare workers in Ontario, Canada.



A strong advocate and volunteer for the functional development of blind and partially blind individuals through activities of stimulating intellectual, physical, and social skills for normal integration into community living, Elen continues to perform community outreach activities. She co-created and served as event coordinator of the “Amazing BPS Racing Cane Challenge Canada” under the direction and guidance of “Eye Believe Eye Can SEE” (Self-assured, Empowered, Engaged) of the D’CENTEX. It is the first and unique community event in Toronto for the Blind and Partially Sighted(BPS). It was inspired by the very popular TV show “The Amazing Race” and developed in partnership with Canadian Steve Pollard, an orientation and mobility specialist, recreation programmer, and founder of "Raising Cane Initiatives" for the BPS.

 

Started in July 2015 with only five diversified BPS participants and 15 sighted volunteers, the event has grown in popularity each year to include deaf-blind participants and is supported by more than 100 volunteers -- caregivers, nurses, teachers, police officers, students, seniors, and persons with other disabilities. The Event engages BPS adults 30 years of age or older who are active "white cane users" and who experience and enjoy fun activities showcasing their orientation and mobility techniques as well as their physical, mental, emotional, and tactile abilities.



Decidedly extending her experience and advocacy work, E. Aguilar became the Founder and Executive Director of the "Eye Believe Because Eye Can" outreach organization in her home province. On March 8, 2020, she organized the entity in collaboration with the Association for People with Disabilities under the Philippine Department of Social Welfare and Development(DSWD) in Quezon Province. Forty committed BPS from 14 Barangays and two Zones in the Poblacion have registered as members. The non-government organization, which is governed by 14 appointed Executive Officers, aims "to empower the blind and partially sighted Quezonians to be independent and become valuable members working toward barrier-free environments" through significant and sustainable projects and programs.

Looking to the future and hoping to continue her "personal passion and mission', Elena Laude Aguilar, despite the uncertainties of the pandemic but purposefully together with her partners and supporters, is fully committed and determined to engage and empower those willing to help themselves "to maximize their potentials and self-worth" and work "towards a barrier-free society built by people with vision impairment". ( Tony A. San Juan, OCT-Retired)