Meet Anne Mok, a fearless advocate, TEDx speaker, author and blind storyteller reshaping the narrative of a purposeful life and defying odds with resilience and determination. Anne serves as a member of the BC/Yukon Strategic Leadership Council and the BC/Yukon Advocacy Committee. She is also a facilitator for the CNIB Vancouver Senior Connections group. Committed to making a positive impact, Anne illuminates lives, demonstrating that greatness knows no boundaries. She embraces her blindness and Asian heritage, discovering strength to rewrite her life's path, and inspiring others to embrace their own unique stories and voices.
From a young age, Anne felt something with her vision “wasn’t quite right”. After years of persistent self-advocacy, Anne was diagnosed with cone-rod dystrophy, an inherited eye disorder which affects the light-sensitive cells of the retina. In 2019, she was also diagnosed with a chronic illness called New Daily Persistent Headache (NDPH). Anne was first introduced to CNIB through the Vision Odyssey Workshop, a six-week program designed to help individuals adjust to vision loss, where she felt like she was surrounded by people who truly understood her experience for the first time:
“The support and resources I received from CNIB became the foundation upon which I built the next chapter of my life. They didn’t just provide me with tools – they gave me the strength to begin truly embracing my journey. I’m committed to helping others find that same strength. It was through this community and peer support that I gained the courage to take the next steps in my journey – asking for workplace accommodations, undergoing orientation and mobility training, and even attending workshops on basic kitchen skills and technology accessibility awareness.”
In November 2020, Anne founded Purpose in View, her digital storytelling company, with one simple goal – to leave no audience member behind. Through digital storytelling with a positive attitude, Anne leverages her influence to bring education and awareness to the blind community, advocating for their rights. She creates a space for dialogue and change, empowering individuals and contributing to a more inclusive society: “The opposite of blindness is view, and through this journey, I found my Purpose in View; I found myself. I became who I was meant to be.”
Anne decided to join the Strategic Leadership Council (SLC) because she is deeply passionate about creating positive change and advocating for the rights of people who are blind, Deafblind, or have low vision.
“For me, it’s about more than just serving on a council; it’s about being at the forefront of driving meaningful change. I’m excited to collaborate with like-minded individuals who share this vision and to be a part of the movement that is pushing for a more accessible and inclusive world. The sight loss community is so close-knit, so supportive, and filled with a deep sense of awareness and education. Every day, I learn something new from the incredible people in this community, and, together, we are breaking barriers and redefining what is possible.”
Anne is nowhere close to slowing down, as she plans to expand her current advocacy work through digital storytelling, build meaningful partnerships to create accessible products and content, all while working on a book detailing her story and the power of positive thinking: “My future goals are deeply rooted in the belief that 'Attitude is Everything'. I believe that when we change the way we see our obstacles, we change the way we navigate our lives.”
You can follow Anne on Instagram and TikTok at @PurposeInView, and be sure to stay tuned to our CNIB Facebook and Instagram pages to learn more!