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20 - The Oakville Beaver, Friday June 30, 2006 www.oakvillebeaver.com Blind sailors take the helm in Bronte By Wilma Blokhuis OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF Ron Voss, wearing sunglasses and a Tilley hat, takes the helm, looking every inch an old salt. You wouldn't know from the confidence he exudes, his hands controlling the direction of the sailboat, that he is blind. He was among 20 blind participants in the recent VIP (Visually Impaired Person) Program at the Bronte Harbour Yacht Club (BHYC). For 28 years, the yacht club has invited blind participants in their mid-30s to 60s and older ­ at no charge, to experience the wind in their sails and on their faces. "It's wonderful," said Voss of Burlington who has participated for 15 years after he lost his sight in February 1991 at age 44. "Three months after I lost my vision I was sailing. It was a turning point in my life and helped with my adaptation of going blind. "My first year 15 years ago, we went sailing on the second day I was here and it was the first time I enjoyed anything (since losing my sight). "Some of my best memories are of blind sailing." Voss enjoyed sailing on and off during his youth, and considers the VIP Program a "wonderful opportunity. "I look forward to renewing my acquaintances with the skippers and other participants. These skippers have to be a special kind of people to allow us on their boats." Each day of the week long program begins with coffee, socialization and camaraderie at the yacht club as the participants and volunteers arrive. "The social aspect is half the fun," said Voss. "The other half of the fun is being on the water." Transportation to and from the BHYC is not an issue for the participants ­ the club has two vans donated by Ford to pick up participants at the Bronte GO station and another picking up those who live along Lakeshore Road in Oakville and Burlington. "It's refreshing to meet people who make arrangements to get me here," said participant Mike Feir, blind since birth. Others living further away are billeted locally. Lunch is provided by volunteers headed by Eileen Fleming, a former BHYC member who returns each summer to supervise the kitchen during the VIP Program. Others include Peter Boxall DEREK WOOLLAM / SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER AHOY MATES: Don Voss, who lost his sight 15 years ago at age 44, takes the helm during the week long VIP ­ Visually Impaired Persons ­ Program at the Bronte Harbour Yacht Club recently. who coordinates transportation for the blind participants, Rick Fleming who allocates them to the boats, and Mike Gibbon who took charge of the program this year. They're among some 26 volunteers, most of them sailors. "They can't wipe the smile off my face," said first-time participant Bev Berger of Nobleton who is staying with a friend in Burlington. "I didn't know what to expect but it's far better than I ever imagined," she said of the program which treats participants as crew members. See We see page 21 At Beachcomber Oakville we carry patio furniture from the world's leading makers. Be it Ebel, Meadowcraft, Telescope, Homecrest, Actiwin, Tepraco, Cana Foam or Andrew Richards, we have it all. Our selection varies from all weather wicker, cast aluminum, wrought iron or tubular aluminum. Our styles include casual, lounge groupings such as club chairs, chaise lounges, ottomans, loveseats, sofas, coffee tables, fire pit sets and patio heaters. Kingston SLING COLLECTION 7PC SET DEEP SEATING OR TRADITIONAL DINING, CAST ALUMINUM SAVE 30%Off Genesis 50%Off ALL WEATHER WICKER COLLE CTION. Avignon 30% Off BRONTE MONDAY-WEDNESDAY 10-6PM, THURSDAY-FRIDAY 10AM-8PM SATURDAY 10AM-6PM, SUNDAY 11AM-5PM 4TH LINE SPEERS RD. DORVAL Bayonne 30%Off DINING COLLECTION Florence DINING COLLECTI ON. 30%Off Chantilly 30%Off BISTRO COLLECTION QEW