The CNIB (formerly Canadian National Institute for the Blind) office on Richmond Road has a library named for Bob Carter. The annex is called Carter-Ainsworth. ItB次元官网网址檚 a tribute to Carter and his partner of 45 years Frank Ainsworth.
The weather drew them to Oak Bay from Toronto 22 years ago. They moved in July, and by November both were signed up with Oak Bay Volunteer Services. B次元官网网址淲hen youB次元官网网址檙e retired and relocate you donB次元官网网址檛 have the friends you left, so you go looking for contact,B次元官网网址� Carter said.
Not long after, he was inspired by a longtime friend losing her vision to add the CNIB to his volunteer duties.
B次元官网网址淰olunteering is a two-way thing,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淵ou meet so many people and get to understand their happiness and problems.B次元官网网址�
He started reading books onto tape B次元官网网址� despite not being big on reading B次元官网网址� and progressed to being a right hand document man for Phil Crowson.
B次元官网网址淗eB次元官网网址檚 done a lot for me,B次元官网网址� said Crowson, whoB次元官网网址檚 in charge of intake and referral for Vancouver Island Regional District of the CNIB. B次元官网网址淗eB次元官网网址檇 read things from client files to me and helps fill in the client form.B次元官网网址�
As a sighted aide, he set up a file system and continues to organize those files for the busy Crowson, who nominated Carter for the award.
B次元官网网址淚t makes you appreciate your own situation. That you have your sight,B次元官网网址� Carter said. B次元官网网址淣ow theyB次元官网网址檙e changing the computers and systems so there isnB次元官网网址檛 quite the need for sighted help there used to be.B次元官网网址�
ThereB次元官网网址檚 still work for the sighted volunteers in creating welcome packages for the increasing clientele.
B次元官网网址淗e comes in now and helps me do mailouts and other things for clients,B次元官网网址� Crowson said.
B次元官网网址淚t gives me the opportunity to provide the best client services I can in a short period of time. B次元官网网址� When I promise a client something I try to deliver it as immediately as I can, and Bob coming in on a regular basis allows me to do that.B次元官网网址�
The two decades of giving spurred Crowson to nominate Carter for the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.
B次元官网网址淗eB次元官网网址檚 very meticulous and very orderly, which is good because I am too. HeB次元官网网址檚 patient as far as working with me. B次元官网网址� After 21 years, he knows what my expectations are and itB次元官网网址檚 almost like we can read each otherB次元官网网址檚 minds sometimes. ItB次元官网网址檚 kind of scary really,B次元官网网址� Crowson said with a chuckle.
CarterB次元官网网址檚 artwork of Egyptian eyes hangs at the CNIB office where heB次元官网网址檒l get the award in a Sept. 5 ceremony. ItB次元官网网址檚 a twofold honour for him.
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 a monarchist, I believe in the system. I believe it has purpose,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淭he other thing is, itB次元官网网址檚 just nice to be recognized.B次元官网网址�
More about the jubilee medal
The new commemorative medal was created to mark the 2012 celebrations of the 60th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth IIB次元官网网址檚 accession to the throne. The Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal serves to honour significant contributions and achievements by Canadians.
During the year, 60,000 Canadians will be recognized.
