Meet Ron Walsh

Ron Walsh realized he might have a vision problem while on a hunting trip in his twenties when he couldn’t see a deer clearly visible to others. He was diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa, a genetic degenerative disease that progressively impairs vision. Ron continued with an active life as his vision deteriorated and when forced to give up his driver’s license, he embraced cycling, embarking on a two-week journey from Calgary to Victoria through the Rogers Pass. Eventually, Ron was forced to give up cycling, but he did not let his blindness become a barrier. Among his many exploits, he became one of the few blind people to traverse the Chilkoot Trail and completed a ten-day canoe trek across the Churchill River.

Grateful for his many adventures and the help he received to achieve them, Ron created a foundation dedicated to removing barriers for members of the blind and partially sighted community so they can engage in the same exciting, engaging and fun activities. Ron can be found either planning or out on adventures that include hiking, canoeing, cross-country skiing, downhill skiing, golfing, bowling, dog-sledding, sailing, kayaking and many others, even some he hasn’t thought of… yet.