From Daylight to Dark

When Valerie Maidment was a baby doctors diagnosed her with hydrocephalus a condition that causes excess fluid to build in the brain. After the second surgery at age 9 she was declared healthy; she lived a happy normal life graduating from high school and college having children and buying and managing her own convenience store. Until one day when everything changed. <br /><br />Fluid began to build once again in Valerie's brain causing immense pressure that-due to misdiagnosis on the part of multiple doctors-caused her optic nerves to break down. By the time the doctors realized what was happening it was too late; Valerie was legally blind. She had to re-learn how to do everything from folding laundry to using a computer to walking up and down the stairs of her own home. Eventually she was forced to sell her business leaving her wondering if she would ever work again. <br /><br />Through tragedy and triumph Valerie persisted never losing hope or courage as she navigated a world that is largely unprepared to accommodate people with disabilities. Told with remarkable heart humour and wisdom From Daylight to Dark is above all a story of perseverance against great odds offering important insight into the need for accessibility in the workforce for all Canadians.