With that, author and storyteller extraordinaire Ryan Knighton opened his presentation to a rapt audience of one hundred students on January 19 at Trent in Oshawa to discuss his experiences going blind over a period of 15 years.

Mr. Knighton was visiting the Oshawa campus as part of Abilities Day, a student-organized event to celebrate students with disabilities and raise awareness about the barriers they face. He shared many stories from his book Cockeyed, in which he humorously describes the trials and tribulations of adjusting to life without sight, including the challenges of touch screens, trying to put a plug in an electrical outlet, and hanging a towel rack. Through these stories, Mr. Knighton encourages his audience to “embrace the accidents” of life, because that is where real learning takes place.

Known for his comic sense of humour, Mr. Knighton has given readings, talks and performances around the world and continues to teach literature and creative writing at Capilano College in British Columbia.

For more information about Trent in Oshawa, please visit the website.