Beyond The Summit

 Remarkable stories from blind climbers of Kilimanjaro — in support of Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides
Virtual event on Zoom, April 15, 2026, from 7:00 to 9:00 PM Eastern Time.

On October 20, 1984, my independence came to a screeching halt. That was the day I made the difficult decision to hang up my driver’s licence.

I was first diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa in 1976, a degenerative eye condition that gradually leads to blindness. Even after being declared legally blind, I tried to hold on to my independence for as long as I could. Eventually, it became clear that I couldn’t do it safely anymore.

What followed was one of the hardest periods of my life. I relied on walking, public transportation, and the kindness of others. As my mobility disappeared, so did my confidence. I felt my world shrinking, and I struggled to see a way forward.

Then, in early 1989, something unexpected happened.

While waiting for a bus one day, I bumped into a man and his dog guide. I apologized and said, “Sorry, I’m blind.” He laughed and replied, “Me too.” We sat together and talked, and he shared how his dog guide had given him back his independence. That conversation changed my life.

He connected me with the Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides. After applying and completing an in-home assessment, I was accepted into the program. In September 1990, I arrived at the training facility in Oakville, Ontario. On Tuesday morning of that week, I was matched with my first dog guide.

His name was Pacer.

At the time, I was working for Rogers Communications in Toronto, having previously worked at the Toronto Stock Exchange and Merrill Lynch Canada. I was still navigating a fast-paced, demanding environment and relying heavily on public transit. Pacer guided me safely through crowded streets, busy transit systems, and the everyday challenges of city life. He restored my confidence and quite literally saved my life more than once.

Pacer wasn’t just my dog guide. He was my partner and my hero.

Pacer retired around 2002 and passed away shortly afterward. I was devastated and not ready to move forward. It took me several years before I could consider another dog guide.

Eventually, I was matched with my second dog guide, Cosmo, a smaller black Labrador with an incredible work ethic and the sweetest personality. Together, we travelled across Ontario, visiting schools and community groups, educating young people about blindness and independence. Cosmo worked faithfully until around 2012 and was brought out of retirement in 2016 to support me during an extended stay at the Ronald McDonald House while my children faced serious health challenges. She never forgot how to guide, and she never stopped caring. A few months later, she sadly passed away. What a lasting legacy.

In mid-January 2017, I received my third dog guide, Gore, another black Labrador with a quirky, lovable personality. He loves people, is always excited to get his harness on, and—uniquely among Labs—he really dislikes water, especially rain. Once again, Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides gave me the gift of independence. Gore and I continued our advocacy work across Ontario, sharing stories about blindness, resilience, and what is truly possible with the right support. Gore is now enjoying retirement, not because he stopped being capable, but because changes in my own mobility mean I am no longer able to travel as extensively as I once did. Today, I’m in my early seventies. I’ve been married to my wife, Tina, for nearly 40 years, and our children are grown. While my life looks different now, my outlook has never been more positive.

Dog Guides gave me decades of independence, confidence, and freedom. This fundraiser is my way of giving back—to say thank you to the trainers, puppy raisers, foster families, staff, and supporters who make these life-changing partnerships possible.

It’s time to help the next generation experience what I was given.

Give the gift of independence.