Sometimes you want to get away from it all…together.
Eitel describes himself as a digital accessibility expert by day, judo champ by dusk, and committed member of the National Youth Council (NYC) around the clock. On top of that he’s a long-time CNIB Lake Joe camper and an awesome ambassador.
Eitel was born and raised in Togo, Africa, coming to Canada in 2014 for specialized medical care after surviving an accident that caused multiple injuries, including blindness. Now living with his immediate family in Montreal, he has explored careers as a teacher and entrepreneur before landing his current role as an Assistive Technology Trainer in CNIB’s Come to Work program. He visits his family in Africa whenever he can and enjoys vacations around the world. He is fluent in five languages (Mina, Ewe, French, Spanish and English) which he uses to great effect!
No stranger to trying new things, Eitel’s first visit to CNIB Lake Joe was in 2017 as a participant in CNIB’s SCORE program. He has returned every year since, most recently attending the new “Young Adult Week” – a program created by his peers on the NYC – that focuses on experiences tailored for people with sight loss in a similar stage of life.
When asked what initially piqued his interest in attending the Young Adult Program, he admits it was the price. Thanks to generous donors, all programs for guests ages 8-29 were available for just $150, which was really tough to beat, especially when managing out-of-province transportation costs.
As an executive member of the NYC, Eitel had the inside scoop on this program before it even launched. Right away he started promoting the program to his pals in Montreal and attended the inaugural Young Adult Week with five francophone friends.
Returning the following year, he encouraged more friends to attend through chat groups, extended community networks and social group calls. As a result, an even bigger group of francophone guests travelled to CNIB Lake Joe this year from Quebec and as far away as France!
“A lot of people were sold on the flexibility and diversity of program activities,” Eitel explains. “The people who came loved it.”
Not only is CNIB Lake Joe a place where young people can meet together in an accessible place, it’s a place where everyone feels involved.
Eitel describes one activity – an introduction to karate/self defence class – as a perfect example of how young people with a wide range of interests and abilities were engaged.
“I’m a martial artist and love anything physical,” he shares. “This class showed everyone how to throw punches and kicks properly, and how to focus on posture and apply force to optimize your strikes. For me it was a very good discovery. Others learned a lot from an exercise on how to shout during karate. This is an important self defence tactic, and it was very therapeutic too.”
Asked what he would say to encourage young adults to come to camp in 2025, he was quick to respond. “If you want to have a place to meet friends that’s accessible with all sorts of activities – athletic, artistic, social – CNIB Lake Joe is your place,” enthuses Eitel.