The local Allstate agency has donated $10,000 to the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) in honour of one of their agents who is visually impaired and receives ongoing support from the institute.
Dijana Kunce has been an agent at Allstate Newmarket for 11 years. She was born with coloboma, a defect of the iris, in her left eye that caused her to have a larger than normal blind spot. When she experienced sudden vision loss in July 2021, she discovered she had coloboma in her right eye as well, along with degenerative eye disease called optic disc pit. This has left her with impaired central vision, clarity, and sharpness.
“It was all so terrifying to me when my vision suddenly became impaired,” Kunce said. “I was ashamed and maybe in denial, so I didn’t want to call and speak to anyone."
She said between the pandemic, her sudden vision loss, and countless doctors appointments that have determined her condition is incurable, she said she felt helpless and alone.
"I found it to be a struggle to get up every day, but I knew that I needed to fight to be happy and turn this into something that will make me stronger," she said.
She said the resources on CNIB helped her in that fight. She has learned how to use technology and still have a successful career with vision impairment.
"As an agent, I spend a lot of time at my desk looking at my computer screen. CNIB resources pointed me toward tools to help me use my computer more comfortably, allowing me to feel a little more confident doing my job," Kunce said.
She said the tech support section on their website has been an especially useful tool. She said through the site, she learned about glasses she could buy that are specific to her condition, what kind of computer monitor to get, and how to configure the computer settings so she could do her job with ease.
Allstate Newmarket said that's why CNIB was an obvious choice to support when they received a grant in November that was given to Allstate Agencies who demonstrated community involvement.
"It was a clear choice to donate to the organization to support others in need," Allstate said. "The donation to CNIB will allow the organization to continue to make a difference through programs such as their youth support groups – which help those living with their vision impaired live independent and fulfilled lives."
Kunce's manager, Antonietta Zambri, was the one who broke the news to her about the donation.
"When she told me the team decided to give the funds to the CNIB, I felt an overwhelming feeling of love, support and gratitude. To be able to give back to the same organization that provided me with the resources to get back to work and live independently again…it means the absolute world to me," Kunce said.
The Newmarket agency has a history of supporting local organizations, including a $10,000 donation last summer to Community Living Central York to support individuals living with intellectual disabilities.
