Pierre-Olivier Doyon organizes an open day at theChaudière Association of Disabled People (APHC) on November 15 in Saint-Georges, in order to share the reality of people with visual disabilities.
For his part, he only has 7% of his sight remaining and, over time, he will become completely blind. However, the retinitis pigmentosa of the eye from which he suffers does not prevent him from “ rush through life ”, as he says himself and that’s precisely what he wants to prove on this special day.
In addition to promoting its services, the APHC will therefore offer four simulators in the form of glasses. There will be one showing the vision of Pierre-Olivier whose visual field is restricted and stained with black dots. There will also be simulators to understand the vision of diabetics (those with a visual disability), another for central vision (representing when a person’s visual field decreases, particularly with age) as well as a last one for the central scotoma where we only see to the sides.
« We are going to do some pretty comical scenarios to show the world that it can be trivial, like filling a glass of water », he clarified in a meeting with EnBeauce.com. « For example, someone who is myopic will see approximately -2 or -3 glass strength, while I have -82! That gives an idea. »
The idea for this event was born from a request from those close to Beauceron who wanted to understand its reality. “ They saw me grow up with my eyesight diminishing over the years and even if I am open to talking about it, living with the disease is something else. » Pierre-Olivier therefore set up this project which grew in size when he saw people’s interest.
Thus, the simulators will be available to discover at the APHC, located at 1175 boulevard Dionne in Saint-Georges, on November 15 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. The activity is open to all and free. Note also the presence of two professionals who will be available to answer questions.
Lose your sight, but not your energy
Pierre-Olivier Doyon is 31 years old and lives with his father in Notre-Dame-des-Pins. He plans to live alone for the next few years. “ I am taking the steps quietly. These days, moving doesn’t happen overnight. » However, since it does not require any special installation, its objective should be achieved without too much hassle. “ I am a resourceful person. I am a go-getter and I like to take on challenges. »
It must be said that he had time to adapt to his handicap, having been born with a genetic disease called retinitis pigmentosa of the eye. “ Either my father or my mother had the gene in him, but not the disease. When they started having children, the disease broke out. The more children you have, the more the disease is developed at birth, explained Beauceron. So instead of being born with 100% vision, a person can be born with 95%, 90%, etc. The lower the vision, the faster the person will become blind. » Pierre-Olivier is the penultimate in the family, which is why today he only has 7% left. Her little sister is completely blind.
It took several years before the disease was detected. “ In three years, my vision deteriorated very quickly so they sent me to see specialists in Quebec. And it was they who discovered the disease. » Then, the other children in the family who did not see well took the test and the diagnosis came out for all three children.
Over time, his vision continues to deteriorate. It has lost 0.5% over the past year. He can no longer distinguish colors and details either. That doesn’t stop him from working, however. Indeed, Pierre-Olivier is a cook in a school in Saint-Georges. To help him, he has suitable tools including a food scale that talks and a heat thermometer that talks to know if the meat is cooked. His other senses have also become sharper over time.
« It’s certain that if I cook something, I’ll stay close. But it must be said that our other senses are much sharper. My ear is very sharp. I hear very well. Even if you’re across the room and you’re not talking very loudly, if I concentrate, I could understand. And the other sense that is really developed for me is touch. I can peel vegetables with just touch. I also do the dishes and am able to fold my laundry. »
A tool that he has used for less time, but which helps him a lot is his cane. Now, he almost always uses it except when he is at home for example, because he knows his environment by heart. But to go shopping for example, it becomes essential. “ The cane is like our eyes, it detects objects. It is she who tells us if there is an obstacle or when we have reached the last step. But it’s still technical, it took me a little time “, he confided.
So, to better understand his reality and those of other people living with a visual disability, go to his event on November 15.
