I am a legally blind Registered Massage Therapist (RMT) and a guide dog handler. I was born in the sunny city of Calgary, Alberta, with congenital bilateral cataracts, which I’m told is rare. I had them removed when I was very young by a brilliant but ill-mannered surgeon at the Calgary Children’s Hospital. This, of course, I don’t remember (which is a good thing, I’d say). My eyesight was stable for many years after my bilateral cataract surgery. However, sometime in my teens, things changed. I was…well, let’s make a long story short, I now have limited vision in my right eye, which is subject to change depending on how my brain feels on any given day.

As a person with visual impairment, I have a deep understanding that being blind or visually impaired can affect how we do things. As a guide dog handler, I often find that my left arm, shoulder and neck can become stiff and sore. I also tend to walk differently when on uneven ground. I feel my way with my toes, which use different muscles and cause pain or discomfort in the front of the lower leg and or the top of the foot. The thing I notice the most (because I have some remaining sight) is I often put undue strain on my neck, low back and elbows trying to get things close enough so I can get my phone or whatever it is I need to see close enough. I believe that massage therapy is important for overall well-being, mental health and conditions that can be aggravated by blindness or vision impairment.

As a person with visual impairment, I have a deep understanding that being blind or visually impaired can affect how we do things.

I chose Massage Therapy because I have a deep understanding of the importance of looking after our bodies. Especially if you are experiencing muscle conditions that can be aggravated by blindness or visual impairment and not to mention, the digital world we live in. I graduated from the Mount Royal University 2200-hour Massage Therapy diploma program in 2020. I am also certified in Kinetic Massage and Cupping. With more to come. I am a firm believer in creating tailored treatment plans to best suit the needs of everyone I see. My areas of expertise include a mix of Kinetic, therapeutic and relaxation of the neck, upper limb and low back.  As many of us experience pain and discomfort in these areas some extra attention is often needed.

It is important to me that I continue to better myself in the field of massage therapy. I do this by continually taking time to review what I have already learned so I am able to give the best possible treatment. I also make sure I take time to learn new things and take massage courses whenever I can.

I spend my spare time with my two black labs, Trooper and McCoy. Trooper is my current guide dog. We have been together since March 2022. He loves to work and does he ever pull me along the sidewalk at the speed of light! McCoy was my first guide dog, he currently enjoys being retired at the age of 13. I retired him in March 2022, we worked together for 9 amazing years! Both my dogs were trained by Guide Dogs for the Blind.

I spend a lot of time walking along the Bow River while listening to audiobooks. I love to walk and can easily walk anywhere from 3 to 15 km a day. I love reading and often complete 2 to 5 books in any given week. I also love watching crime and mystery TV shows.