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This past February, Arlett and Nathan became the first two graduates of a special nursing program at Algonquin College. Considering Nathan had naviâ€" gated the halls and attended all the classes during the course of the threeâ€" year program, school officials felt it 40 SPRUCE ST., PARIS _ MON. to FRI. 9 to 9 442â€"3118 SAg. 9 to 5 ° mother of one, Arlett‘s short sixâ€"year career as an active bedside nurse at a busy Ottawa hospital was over. Diabetic retinopothy had taken away what she had spent a lifetime achieving. It came as a total shock. Ariett and husband Mark, a video coordinator at the Ontario Provincial Police training college in Brampton, were hopeful that months of laser treatment would be enough to ward off the darkness. Unforâ€" tunately their prayers went unanswered and in a very short period of time, Ariett was blind. Now 34, Ariett looks back at the events as a challenge. She recalls her first days at home, relearning how to take care of her eightâ€"month old daughter Kim, how to do housework and exist on a dayâ€"to day basis. Arlett‘s first taste of public exposure following her blindness came in the form of a 1980 photostory in the Ottawa Citizen, illustrating the relationship beâ€" tween a blind mother and her infant. And then came Nathan. Nathan is Arlett‘s constant travelling companion. A black Labrador seeingâ€" eyeâ€"dog, he and Arlett have a great deal more than a traditional masterâ€"pet relaâ€" tionship. With Nathan at her side, Arlett knows no limits. If it‘s out there, they can do it. ‘"I felt very strongly that I didn‘t want anything done for me by other people that I could do myself," she said. ‘"‘"I slowly regained my indepen dence." > Utilizing such tools as laser canes, talking books and magazines, reading aids, computerized braille, mobile eye units and tapping the strengths of trained people, the CNIB is wholeheartedly encouraging personal growth. Those with low vision are shown how to make the most of their situation, whether it be through optical aids, travel skill orientation and mobility training. touched by her since, she didn‘t. A 2%6â€"yearâ€"old registered nurse and Chronicle Staff Cathie Ariett had every reason to stop trying eight years ago. The Regional Municipality of Waterloo Advisory Board to the Canadian National Institute for the Blind has been helping people help themselves for the past 50 years. WE HAVE HUGE REDUCTIONS ON DISCONTINUED STYLES, COLOURS, FACTORY SECONDS, UNFINISHED, IMPERFECTS & OVER RUNS. BRING IN YOUR MEASUREMENTS AND WE WILL HELP YOU TO PLAN YOUR KITCHENI Independence, in fact, is the key word at the CNIB Cathie Arlett refuses t REMODELLING YOUR KITCHEN? 220 222000E PPCB!ICI7 0° nB URNpUTET iolmmat h *‘We have a good time. We‘re crazy >ge. Considering Nathan had naviâ€" appropriate to present Nathan with a _ care (counselling and listening to terâ€" people. It would be kind of silly spending d the halls and attended all the framed diploma of his own. minally ill patients and family), but a lot of time sitting around saying how ses during the course of the threeâ€" Ariett is currently trying to embark on _ budget restraints at local hospitals have â€" horrible our situation is." _ program, school officials felt it a new career in the field of palliative _ made it a difficult task to find work. The ‘"Wouldn‘t it?" for those who have been KITCHENMS FACTORY OUTLET wellâ€"deserved independence Cathie Arlett spends a moment with her guide dog Nathan and old pal Mandy. Chronicle photo appropriate to present Nathan with a _ care (counselling and listening to terâ€" framed diploma of his own. minally ill patients and family). but e Treat blind or visually impaired persons as you would anyone else. & Don‘t be afraid to ask how much the person sees. Remember, most have some remaining sight. e Speak in a normal tone of voice. Identify yoursel{ and them know you‘re addressing them by using their paired? According to a CNIB information paper there are 10 simple rules to follow: Aids such as the white cane, dog guide or sighted guide, assist blind and visually impaired persons with safe, independent travel. But what about those who are not blind? How is John Q. Public to deal with the visually imâ€" Westmount Kuneral Home and el 1001 OTTAWA ST. S., Knm WESTMOUNT FUNERAL HOME A NAME THAT IS TRUSTED IN PUNERAL SERVICE. "WE CARE" care (counselling and listening to terâ€" minally ill patients and family), but budget restraints at local hospitals have made it a difficult task to find work. The names or touching their arm. Let them know when you are leaving. e Let the individual take your arm when walking. e Do not hesitate to use words such as "see", "look" or "read". e Describe surroundings. e Give clear and accurate directions. Pointing or usings phrases such as "over there" will be of no asâ€" sistance. e Never distract a guide dog. e Avoid the impulse to rush to a blind person‘s aid. Ask if he or she needs assistance. e Remember, when you meet a blind or visually impaired person, common sense and courtesy can lead to an enjoyable friendship. All joking aside, Arlett says it will take a lot more than blindness to drag her down. *"‘Each cat has a different sounding bell (on its collar) so I can tell which is which. With Mandy its just a case of tripping over her and then I know where she is," laughed Arlett. "Actually I‘m a lousy housekeeper. I can vacuum for half an hour and still miss that one piece of dog hair," she joked. In addition to husband Mark, eightâ€" yearâ€"old daughter Kim and oldâ€"pal Nathan, the Ariett household is occupied by a St. Bernard named Mandy and a pair of cats. In 1986, she was appointed to the Advisory Committee of the Canadian National Institute for the Blind, but resigned the position when she moved to Waterloo. All this and she still manages to keep her family‘s modest Elgin Street home in tipâ€"top shape. â€" Of course this will not be the first time Arlett has volunteered to help. In 1983 she was a volunteer worker at Queensâ€" wayâ€"Carleton Hospital in the Geriatric Day Unit. A local CBC affiliate was so impressed, it put together a 10â€"minute profile on Arlett. Following numerous radio appearâ€" ances discussing guide dogs, Arlett made it to the small screen again in 1985, when she helped lead a cam vaign against Finance Minister Michaei Wilâ€" son‘s 10 per cent sales tax on health care products. family moved to Waterioo last year. But Ariett will not give up. A steady paycheque would be nice but she‘s willing to share her knowledge for free until an offer comes. Commencing April 23, she will teach a course in palliative care at the Adult Learning Centre of St. Louis School. The same day, she will also begin instructing an elective class in braille at Brighton School.