Honourable senators, I rise today to recognize the beginning of Deafblind Awareness Month in June.

Across Canada, individuals living with deaf-blindness, and those caring for them, face immense challenges. Nonetheless, they embody resilience, strength and determination. These extraordinary Canadians navigate the world, determined not to let their disability stop them from living productive and fulfilling lives.

I must acknowledge our former colleague the Honourable Vim Kochhar for inspiring me and many others with his decades of tireless involvement in championing the deaf-blind community. With his encouragement, I had the honour of tabling a motion in 2015, which the Senate of Canada unanimously adopted, to designate June as Deafblind Awareness Month. This motion was made possible through the support of our former colleagues the Honourable Senators Jim Munson, Joan Fraser and Asha Seth.

There are many organizations that work to support and empower the deaf-blind community, following in the pioneering efforts of the famous Helen Keller. Helen Keller is world‑renowned as one of the most heroic women who ever lived with deaf-blindness. She is a role model for everyone with deaf‑blindness, and a role model who showed the world their vast potential. Her life is a testament to the profound fact that everyone — no matter who they are, what challenges they face or where they come from — can impact the world.

Just as Helen Keller needed help from her teacher and mentor, Anne Sullivan, to start her inspiring journey, people living with deaf-blindness need a guiding hand to help them lead more meaningful lives. Therefore, I wish to thank all the intervenors, service providers, volunteers and friends of the deaf-blind community who offer their invaluable support.

In celebration of June as Deafblind Awareness Month, Senator Michèle Audette, Senator Brent Cotter, Senator Gigi Osler and I are co-hosting the annual Deafblind Awareness Month lunch reception on Thursday, June 6, in Room 180 at 1 Wellington Street. Colleagues, we welcome you to join us to meet the amazing deaf-blind community of consumers, intervenors and support workers.

Acknowledging this month as Deafblind Awareness Month is only the beginning. Together, we can create a world where deaf‑blind individuals are not just seen and heard, but also fully included and embraced.

“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.”

Thank you.