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NEWTON, Mass. —
A desire to help others resulted in a special relationship between a Belmont woman and a Newton family.
It started nearly nine years ago, when Allie Dagg, who was in seventh grade at the time, found an opportunity to volunteer with the Massachusetts Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired, or MABVI.
MABVI connected her with Nina Livingstone, a writer and motivational speaker who gradually lost both her vision and hearing due to Usher syndrome. A cochlear implant restored her hearing on one side.
“I met Allie when she was 12 going on 13,” Livingstone said. “She was unique and fabulous in that she wanted to help me.”
Since Dagg was too young to drive, her parents helped facilitate visits. Dagg would help Livingstone go on outings and run errands.
“I couldn’t imagine living my life without the help of the volunteers,” Livingstone said.
Dagg just finished her freshman year of college. When she left for school, her mother, Stacey Sacks, stepped in to visit Livingstone.
“They augment all possibilities that I never knew could happen,” Livingstone said.
It was Sacks who persuaded Livingstone to participate in live storytelling events, something she now does regularly.
“She tells her stories with such humor and grace,” Sacks said. “The audience really loves it.”
Dagg said she’s learned valuable lessons from Livingstone.
“She’s just taught me so much about being confident,” Dagg said. “If you want to do something, you’re the only person in the way that’s stopping you from doing it.”
“I’m always grateful,” Livingstone said. “I’m just so happy because I love life, and I love the people in my life.”
Kyle Robidoux is the director of volunteer and support group services at MABVI.
“Our over 400 volunteers provide critical support,” Robidoux said. “We know that we can teach skills all day long, but at the end of the day, there’s just a little bit of support that folks may need.”
He said MABVI is always looking for additional volunteers. There are more than 100 people with vision loss or impairment waiting for that kind of support.
Find out more about how to help here.
This content was originally published online at WCVB Channel 5.
