Danny Leung: Joy Beyond Vision Community
Danny's Journey: Overcoming Darkness
and Finding New Vision
“All the challenges of blindness hit me without any preparation. I lost my sight without warning.”
Danny Leung was an adult when his life took a dramatic turn—he suddenly lost his vision. This unexpected change led to a difficult season of depression as he grappled with the challenges of adjusting to blindness after a lifetime of sight. He found himself questioning what his future would hold and how to navigate this new reality.
From the depths of Danny’s depression and struggle, something truly beautiful emerged—the Joy Beyond Vision Community (JBVC). JBVC is a faith based organization to help visually impaired people (VIP) to overcome barriers and live a life with dignity and purpose. Born out of Danny’s most challenging moments of pain and loss, JBVC stands as a testament to the hope and transformation God brought into his life.
“Even though I lost my sight, I found my mission. I started JBVC to share with people about what I’ve been through and to help them find other ways of support to live a life with dignity and purpose,” Danny says.
JBVC is a faith based organization to help visually impaired people (VIP) to overcome barriers and live a life with dignity and purpose.
Surprising Growth
When Danny founded the organization, he had modest expectations and little idea of the impact it would eventually have.
“I wanted to have a small group to help people dealing with similar challenges and guide them through the beginning stages.” He simply wanted to offer a listening ear to those facing similar struggles and provide support as they adjusted to life with visual impairment. When the opportunity arose, he shared his own experiences and the journey that helped him overcome his challenges.
The visually impaired community is often overlooked, but through Danny and JBVC, a significant need was being addressed. As word spread and the impact deepened, both the organization and its mission continued to grow.
Week by week, month by month, and year by year, people found their way to his organization, receiving the support and encouragement they needed. Donations arrived just when they were most needed, enabling the organization to navigate seasons of uncertainty and continue its vital work
“There were so many “nos” from different places to support us, but we still exist after 18 years and we are expanding. I know God is with us. I cannot define success, but God still entrusted me to work in this organization,” Danny believes.
What began in Toronto has now grown beyond its roots. Danny’s organization has established a presence in Vancouver, with seeds planted in four of Canada’s other largest cities. For the past decade, they’ve also operated a groundbreaking café—the first in Canada owned and operated entirely by blind individuals. It stands as a powerful and tangible representation of Danny’s mission: empowering the visually impaired to live with dignity and purpose.
“I’m 100% blind helping blind people.”
Business Challenges
Over the 18 years Danny has been running JBVC, Danny has achieved remarkable success and impacted countless lives. However, the journey has not been without its challenges. One of the most persistent barriers has been establishing and maintaining a solid donor base to sustain and expand the organization’s mission.
“While a few churches support us, many others do not. We don’t have help from the government and big organizations. When many people see on our website that we are a faith-based organization, they refuse to donate to us,” he says. Facing rejection from larger corporations and government funding has forced JBVC to rely entirely on the generosity of individual donors to sustain its mission and continue making an impact.
What could have made a significant difference along the way was having a coach, mentor, or connector—someone to walk alongside him and say, “this is good, but we can do better.”
“If I had that foundation from the beginning,” he says, “that would have saved me a lot of missteps and missed sleep.” Having someone to come alongside him and provide business support would have been invaluable for Danny. It could have alleviated the stress of being a sole owner-operator, giving him the space to focus on growing his management skills and building a stronger networking community to support his mission. Danny is now focused on expanding this aspect of his organization, seeking to connect with others who are willing to partner with him and help extend the reach and impact of JBVC even further.
For the past decade, they’ve also operated a groundbreaking café—the first in Canada owned and operated entirely by blind individuals
Persistent Barriers
“To start an organization with a disability requires a lot,” he says. It takes people seeing Danny and the visually impaired community through the lens of their abilities. However, most people look at the blind community and group them by what they can’t do, rather than what they can do.
This challenge is one that Danny and his team continue to face and actively work to overcome. A key objective of JBVC is to educate others and spread the message that the visually impaired community has immense potential and a wealth of contributions to offer.
Even within the church, Danny and his team face challenges. Many church leaders are unaware of how to support JBVC or fail to fully grasp the needs of the visually impaired community. Danny often encounters rejection from those who don’t recognize the value of JBVC’s mission and its transformative impact on the lives of blind individuals. This highlights the ongoing need for greater awareness and understanding, even within faith communities.
Danny and JBVC face significant practical challenges in running a café operated by blind employees. Beyond managing the business side of the café, Danny takes on the vital role of ministering to his team. Many of his employees are in the process of regaining their confidence after losing their vision, and Danny works tirelessly to support them—not only as a leader but as a mentor who helps them rediscover their purpose and potential. This dual responsibility of business management and personal empowerment is both demanding and deeply rewarding.
“I love all the people God sends to me. I try to find how Jesus would view them. Whether or not they meet the work or my job requirements, I have to look at them from the eyes of God.” When Danny is able to overcome these barriers, he can effectively support, guide, and encourage his employees on their journey to rediscovering themselves after losing their vision. His dedication ensures that they feel valued and empowered as they navigate this challenging transition, fostering a sense of purpose and belonging within the JBVC community.
Danny’s hope is that JBVC will continue to break down barriers, challenge misconceptions, and inspire communities to embrace and empower those with disabilities.
Step Up and Dream
Danny holds tremendous hope for the future of his organization, fueled by the lives being transformed through JBVC. His favorite moments are those spent sitting with someone who has recently lost their sight, wrestling with the same emotions he once faced. As he shares his story and hard-earned wisdom, he witnesses a profound shift in the room—the weight of depression begins to lift, replaced by a renewed sense of hope and empowerment. In those moments, a spark of possibility is reignited, proving that a fulfilling life is achievable, even with visual impairment.
“What have I done to deserve to witness this change in someone’s life? I am so grateful to God.” These encounters are what fuel Danny's determination to persevere through barriers, rejection, and the challenges of running a business. He finds motivation in the privilege of stepping into someone’s life, listening to their story, and walking with them through some of the most difficult moments they will ever face. It is this purpose that keeps him moving forward, knowing that each life touched through JBVC is a testament to hope and resilience.
If Danny envisions JBVC 10 years into the future, he dreams of a world where its impact has fostered a culture of love, inclusion, and open arms for the visually impaired and disabled. His hope is that JBVC will continue to break down barriers, challenge misconceptions, and inspire communities to embrace and empower those with disabilities, creating a legacy of dignity and belonging.
“When someone walks into a business or a church, welcome them. Put aside your fears of discomfort and ask how you can support them.”
Danny aspires to a future where Christians and the church see people through God’s eyes—recognizing the inherent worth and dignity of every individual. He believes the church must embrace humility to truly serve the disabled community, setting aside preconceived notions and stepping into genuine, compassionate ministry. Only then can the church reflect God’s heart for inclusion and love.