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Highland Massage Therapy Tony’s Bakery New Location 273 Townsend St. Sydney Fresh Homemade Breads & Rolls & Better Health Centre 3QUARESs#OOKIESs-UFlNS #HARACTER#AKES7EDDING#AKES 17 Years Experience 1429 George Street, SPECIALS Sydney Phone 902.270.8777 Direct Billing Available $ 902-539-2951 Raisin Bread 2/ 4 Largest Selection of Canadian For Most Insurance Companies )NTHE.EEDS Oatmeal Scones 2/$6 #ONVENIENCE3TORE Made Gold Seal eJuice on Cape Breton Island! $ Jacqueline MacInnis, RMT Assorted Doughnuts 2/ 5 Open 24 Hrs s%6/$"ATTERIESSTARTINGAT 331 Keltic Drive, Synedy, Nova Scotia Apple Pie $450 7 Days/Week - 30ml Bottles of eJuice - 561-3711 365 Days/Yr Specializing in Specifi c Injury Treatment Prices in effect until Nov. 16 s"/44,%&/2 "/44,%3&/2 "/44,%3&/2 6799718 6704543 6777822 WEDNESDAY, November 12, 2014 • Sydney, Nova Scotia A PUBLICATION OF THE Life afterMAKING vision A DIFFERENCE loss Louise Gillis begins third term as president of national organization, represents Canada at international level BY LAURA JEAN GRANT COMMUNITY POST SYDNEY — “There is life after vision loss.” Festival of It's a statement that Cape Bre- ton's Louise Gillis not only strong- Sacrifice ly believes, it's something she's demonstrated day in and day out Celebration of Eid includes prayer, for decades. food, good cheer. Originally from Skye Glen, Page 2 Inverness County, Gillis has called Sydney home for the last 40 years. About two years after settling in Sydney, where she was working as a nurse, Gillis' eye troubles first developed. A retinal vein occlusion, and complications from it, resulted in glaucoma and damage to the optic nerve. After laser surgery she was left with limited vision in her left eye, but her right eye was still fine. “And then 18 years ago, it hit in the right eye. I was left with 10 per Operation cent peripheral vision and a para- central scotoma so part of the cen- Lifesaver tral vision was gone, which left me legally blind and that was the end Students learn all about safety of my nursing career,” she said. around the train tracks. “The phrase that I use is, in the blink of an eye my life changed. It Page 4 was difficult to accept the fact that As president of the Canadian Council of the Blind, Louise Gillis is busy throughout the year attending meetings across the I wasn't going to be able to drive country and dealing with council business and responding to emails from her home in Sydney. LAURA JEAN GRANT - COMMUNITY POST and work, and then, after a few months you have to get off the pity board for a number of years and to Ottawa no less than every two cacy, peer support, education and pot and get moving so then I start- worked my way up into the execu- months and sometimes it's every advancing sports and recreation ed looking for ways of funnelling tive position and was on the exec- month; and because of my posi- opportunities for the blind; while my energy. Sitting home watching utive as first and second vice-pres- tion I have to travel to each of the other national organizations like TV was not going to be my life sto- idents and then in 2010, I was different provinces.” the Canadian National Institute ry so I got involved with volunteer elected president for the first Gillis — who has no usable for the Blind is more service- work.” time,” she said. sight in her left eye, and has just based, offering orientation, mobil- Eventually that led her to the Having recently embarked on eight per cent peripheral and part ity and rehabilitation services and Canadian Council of the Blind, a her third term as president, Gillis of her central vision in her right programs. national non-profit organization said it's a busy position with lots of eye — said being on the move and Gillis said ongoing challenges which serves blind and low vision responsibility. It also involves a lot being able to help others going for the council include continually people across the country. She of travel to the head office in through what she has gone raising money and seeking fund- Pool Zone joined the local chapter in 1997 Ottawa and to locations across the through keeps her motivated. ing to do the work they do, raising and worked with others in making country. “I feel that I am helping others awareness and providing educa- Cape Breton Dorados swim team the Nova Scotia division a vibrant “In September I was home only to live a better life,” she said. tional opportunities for its mem- gears up for new season. part of the national council. 14 of the 30 days, I was gone the Gillis said the Canadian Coun- bers. Page 5 “Then, I was on the national rest of the time,” she said. “I travel cil of the Blind is focused on advo- Continued on page 3 … New Selection of AREA RUGS Just Arrived! “Great Gift Ideas” STORE HOURS Monday-Friday 9am-5pm Saturday 9am-3pm Main Street Sydney Mines 902-736-2302 6797581 CAPE BRETON POST www.cbpost.com 2 Wednesday, November 12, 2014 COMMUNITY POST IN BRIEF Community photos wanted There are many wonderful events Participants gathered recently taking place every day in our com- to take part in Eid ul Adah, the munities and try as we might we Festival of Sacrifice, at the Cape can’t get to all of them. Breton Muslim Society's commu- But if readers have photos of nity centre in Whitney Pier. SUB- these activities, we’d love to pub- MITTED PHOTO lish them. It could be a fundraiser, elec- tion of a new executive or a parade shot. In fact, it could be just about anything about life in Cape Breton. Just be sure to include all the pertinent information (who is in the photo, what are they doing, name of the event, the date it took place and the location) when you email them to us ([email protected]) or drop them off at our office at 255 George St., Sydney. Photos must be in focus, high resolution (if sent by email) and be sent to us as soon after the event takes place as possible. Non-Muslim welcomed at Eid celebration Bereavement group hosting support meetings Prayer, breakfast, good cheer part of religious holiday GLACE BAY — The Bereaved Fami- lies of Cape Breton hold monthly ast month I had the privilege of not in place. support and share groups around Lattending Eid ul Adah, the Fes- Instead, a traditional Pakistani the Cape Breton Regional Munici- tival of Sacrifice, at the Cape Bre- holiday breakfast of halvah (sweet pality. Everyone is welcome. The ton Muslim Society’s community semolina dish), puri (fried bread), dates are as follows: centre in the Pier. channay (chickpeas) and aloo (cur- • Glace Bay: Fourth Wednesday What we now com- ried potatoes) was of each month at Town House, 150 monly call The Mosque catered by Anila Tan- Commercial St. or The Pier Mosque, is weer, owner of Sami Piz- • New Waterford: Third Wednes- actually more than just a za and Kabab. She also day of each month at St. Leonard's place for people to pray. prepared samosas and Pastoral Centre, 5310 Union High- Khalid Zia, a member dahi (cold lentil appetiz- way, River Ryan. of the society, describes er). • Sydney: Second Tuesday of the centre as “a gathering More than enough each month at the Father John place for people to learn, food remained after the Capstick Centre, 188 George St. pray, eat and play.” It is a breakfast for sharing • North Sydney: First Thursday place where everyone is with others. The Cape Breton Muslim Society Community Centre in Whitney Pier. SUBMITTED PHOTO of each month at the Miners' welcome. Whitney But Eid is about more Memorial Manor, 16 Lorne St. The morning I attend- than prayer, sacrifice and He said, “I have to pray, too.” He Mary’s Polish Church, 21 Wesley For more information, tele- ed Eid, I heard numerous Pier sharing food. also knows the Qur'an by heart. St., Whitney Pier, N.S., B1N 2M5. phone 902-564-6795 or email accents as I listened to Sharon Atha When I asked people Not every Muslim learns the Bundles can be sponsored in [email protected]. people speak. The centre what Eid means to them, Qur'an by heart. However, children memory of loved ones; just include has about 200 members I repeatedly heard, “Hap- start attending Islamic school at a note with the cheque about from Kuwait, Pakistan, Egypt, piness. Celebration.” the centre when they are six years whom to recognize on the plaque. INDEX Nigeria, Sudan, India, Saudi Arabia Celebrations may vary between old. • CGIT 100th anniversary: Call- and Canada. countries, but Eid is always about Should a time ever come again ing all who attended CGIT as a A product of the Cape Breton Post I learned later, in speaking with bringing happiness to the children, when written records are lost or teenager or leader to celebrate 100 Mailing Address Zia, that the centre is not divided about parents enjoying their chil- destroyed, the teachings that all years since its formation. Event to Box 1500, 255 George Street, along Sunni or Shia lines. Everyone dren, about community. It is a time Muslims follow can be recorded take place July 18, 2015 at the Sydney, Nova Scotia B1P 6K6 prays together. And if you want to when women and children dress again through spoken word recol- Savoy Theatre, Glace Bay, from 12- Phone (902) 564-5451 observe prayers on a Friday, you up.