A new Heritage Minute about Edwin Baker, the co-founder of the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB), features a Calgarian in its starring role.
Local actor Bruce Horak plays Baker in the Historic Canada short, a man who was motivated to advocate for opportunities for people who are blind after he was blinded by a bullet in 1915 while serving in the First World War.
Horak spoke with CBC Radio’s The Homestretch on Tuesday about what it was like to reenact a period of Canadian history.
“I lost over 90 per cent of my eyesight to retinoblastoma when I was very young and became a client of the Canadian National Institute for the Blind in Calgary,” Horak told host Chris dela Torre.
It’s why he says the opportunity to play a historical figure like Baker was an honour.
“I just really hope that people recognize the importance of that organization, and perhaps consider supporting it, and supporting blind and low-vision Canadians in their effort and their desire to be active and contributing members of society.”
The Homestretch10:30A new heritage minute with Bruce Horak
A Calgary actor is the star of a new Heritage Minute about Edwin Baker, the co-founder of the Canadian National Institute for the Blind.