Today we feature someone, whose humour and strength, is sure to inspire you.
William Ryan Jopling is a shy, yet intrepid, adventurer who has been a volunteer for over 26 years. He is an avid hiker and dare devil who loves working out. His current goal is to be in the best shape of his life at 52. He has been a curler, dragon boater, tennis player, team manager, auction caller, Sherpa and so much more. William is also visually impaired and has been overcoming obstacles to live his best life since his diagnosis in primary school.
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香蕉视频直播淚 want to show other blind people that vision impairment is not an obstacle or a roadblock,香蕉视频直播� William answers when asked why he volunteers. 香蕉视频直播淚t is something that you can adapt and overcome. Volunteering also shows good credibility for job openings.香蕉视频直播�
William bravely learned to trust himself walking on different sides of a cliff, not knowing if there was a drop, or how big the drop might be. He feels that not having depth perception allowed him to not feel fear.
香蕉视频直播淚 always say, 香蕉视频直播榃here there is a Will (William) there is a way! And since I am Will there is always a way,香蕉视频直播� he laughs. 香蕉视频直播淚 love to challenge myself more each year and to try new things.香蕉视频直播�
William started volunteering at CNIB in 1998 after joining the blind curling team, and is still doing so today. He has also volunteered with CRIS Adaptive Adventures and with Dragon Boat teams. He has won several medals, 香蕉视频直播渋ncluding gold, lots of silver and some bronze over the years.香蕉视频直播�
香蕉视频直播淚n 1999, a lady at CNIB contacted me and said she was forming a dragon boat team,香蕉视频直播� explains William. 香蕉视频直播淎 group of us met to discuss the team and ended up forming the 香蕉视频直播楽onar Dragons香蕉视频直播�. It was new to me and I never knew I could do it. Look at me now.香蕉视频直播�
William takes pride in founding the Sonar Dragons and then also volunteering to manage the 香蕉视频直播楾railing Paddle Monkeys香蕉视频直播� Dragon Boat team in Winnipeg. 香蕉视频直播淭hey weren香蕉视频直播檛 doing well and after I went out to train them, they celebrated three first place and one third place finishes that season.香蕉视频直播�
With CRIS Adaptive Adventures he volunteered for 14 years to help people with disabilities enjoy the outdoors.
香蕉视频直播淚 was a volunteer 香蕉视频直播淪herpa香蕉视频直播� - the person who is on the front of the trail rider, pulling them through the trails,香蕉视频直播� laughs William. 香蕉视频直播淚 found my way because there was someone walking five feet in front of me and I followed their ankles. If they tripped I would not step there.香蕉视频直播�
William has a few favourite memories that he gained while volunteering, including getting the nickname 香蕉视频直播淒onny香蕉视频直播� because a CRIS participant thought he looked like Donny Wahlberg, and playing catch with a seal on a tennis trip.
香蕉视频直播淲e were on Main Island and I threw the ball into the water and the seal threw it back,香蕉视频直播� says William. 香蕉视频直播淧eople just saw me throwing the ball and did not know who was throwing it back. It was amazing.香蕉视频直播�
William encourages everyone to volunteer with organizations and opportunities they would learn from. 香蕉视频直播淰olunteering with blind people and people with would be a humbling experience,香蕉视频直播� he states, knowing that volunteers are needed in every organization to make it work. 香蕉视频直播淵ou would gain so much new information and a new and different outlook.香蕉视频直播�
To find your volunteer opportunity, contact us at or the VolunteerConnector (). CNIB is also looking for a Vision Mate and for this rewarding position go to .
Dorothee Birker is the communications & development manager for KCR Community Resources.
