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Agency Update From The Executive Director

Lily holds a beeping egg at
our Annual Easter Egg Hunt
for babies & children
with vision impairments.

2012 has been a very exciting time so far at the Lighthouse—and much more is coming—including the Grand Opening of a new program and facility for the Lighthouse on April 27! I want to send out a special thanks to all who support the Lighthouse. As a not-for-profit organization, we rely on volunteers and donations to help us reach our mission. We are always looking for volunteers and appreciate donations. Please read on to learn ways you can help us help individuals with vision loss to achieve their maximum independence and potential.

On March 23, 2012, we held our 27th Annual Chasco Coronation Ball. We were so fortunate to have one of our wonderful families come and share their story of having a blind baby—and I think all present will agree that baby Lily was a little princess. We also crowned our new king and queen. Congratulations to the 2012 King Pithla Bob Memoli and Queen Chasco Cindy Ewald. The Coronation Ball is the kickoff event for the Chasco Fiesta in West Pasco. It recognizes the tremendous contributions of the nominees who give their time, talent and treasures to make Pasco a great place to live. In addition, the Coronation Ball is the major fundraiser for the Lighthouse, raising funds to support our Blind Babies Early Intervention Program. Early estimates indicate that $50,000 was raised. Thank you to our sponsors, nominees and all who attended. A very special thanks to the 2012 Ball Planning Committee chaired by Tina Shelton.

Did you know that persons who are blind experience an over 70% unemployment rate? The Lighthouse Board of Directors and staff have decided it is time to do something about it in our area. The Lighthouse Opportunity Center opens on April 27, 2012 to provide direct paid employment and job training to persons who are blind and visually impaired. You can be a part of this exciting vision—see inside for more information. I really hope you will join us on April 27 to celebrate our Grand Opening! You will learn how people who are blind can live and work in our sighted world. Come and share in our vision that is changing lives every day.

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Inside this Edition

1. 27th Annual Chasco Ball

• March 2012 Event Recap
• Meet the Royals
• 2012 Chasco Ball Sponsors

2. Job Training & Employment

• OPPORTUNITY Leads to Success
• The Lighthouse Opportunity Center Grand Opening

3. Client Profiles

• A Mother/Daughter Story
• Beeping Eggs Equal Big Smiles for Lighthouse Kids

4. Ways You Can Help

5. About Us

• The Lighthouse Legacy Society
• Contact the Lighthouse
• About LVIB IN TOUCH

1. 27th Annual Chasco Coronation Ball

Event Recap

Each year, the Lighthouse hosts the Chasco Coronation Ball to recognize individuals who provide extraordinary community service and to raise funds for our Blind Babies programs. The Lighthouse thanks all who attend the ball, and for making each ball such a great success. The proceeds help blind babies learn the skills needed to live fuller lives with visual impairment. This year’s ball was held on March 23. We were fortunate to have the family of one of our babies at the event.

Lily, age 18 months, has received Lighthouse services for one year. With Lighthouse Early Intervention Services, Lily is learning skills that are enabling her to meet her developmental milestones. According to Jennifer, Lily’s mother, “It’s one thing to know what the Lighthouse does … but when you actually need their services, they are truly a place of hope.” Lily’s parents Peter and Jennifer have become huge advocates for Early Intervention Services. At the ball, they mingled with the other ball-goers, and as they introduced Lily, they proudly spoke of their daughter’s accomplishments. Lily, with her soft giggles and sweet smile, won over everyone she met. Peter and Jennifer are thankful for the opportunity to attend the ball and to share their story. “We honestly love how welcoming the Lighthouse has been to Lily and our family. We feel like you all are part of our family.”

All ball pictures courtesy of Photos by J David.

Left panel, from the top:

• The 2012 Ball Nominees
• All royalty in attendance
• The James Family with Lighthouse’s Executive Director Sylvia Perez and Board Chairperson Jamie Mick
• Jamie Mick and Ball Chair Tina Shelton with our Imperial Sponsor Dr. Rao Musunuru
• 2011 Royalty Chuck Grey & Judith Koutsos

View more pictures from the ball at http://lvib.org/events/past-events.

Meet the Royals

2012 Royalty Cindy Ewald
& Bob Memoli.

Congratulations to our Royals! At the ball, Cindy Ewald was crowned Queen Chasco and Bob Memoli was crowned King Pithla. The Honorees were nominated by their peers for their untiring service to the West Pasco community and to helping people in need.

Cindy Ewald was nominated by the Rotary Club of New Port Richey where she is an active member and has served on multiple committees. She serves on the boards of PACE Center for Girls, Leadership Pasco, and the American Cancer Society and is a member of the Community Service Council of West Pasco. She has received several awards including being the 2009 Honorary Governor of the West Pasco Chamber of Commerce.

Cindy states, “I’m truly humbled to be chosen as the 2012 Queen Chasco. With King Pithla, Bob Memoli by my side, I’m thrilled to be a representative for not only the Lighthouse for the Visually Impaired and Blind, but for all the non-profits in our community. This year’s Chasco Fiesta has been a wonderful experience. It has opened many conversations about being a volunteer and ways to give back to our community.”

Bob Memoli was nominated by The Center for Independence and the Rotary Club of Seven Springs. Bob is on the boards of Leadership Pasco, the Lighthouse for the Visually Impaired and Blind, and The Center for Independence. He is the current Chairman for the Pasco Education Advisory Council for the Take Stock in Children Foundation and has assisted the American Cancer Society and the Junior Service League with their fundraising activities. He has won many community service awards including Top Rotarian of the Year 2009.

Bob echoes Cindy’s sentiments by saying, “I am so excited about being King Pithla and promoting what the position represents: the true meaning of donating your time, talents and treasures to not-for-profit organizations—the giving of yourself to help so many people who would be left behind if not for organizations like the Lighthouse. I was fortunate enough this year to be selected to represent the hundreds of peers and friends who do the same thing I do, day in and day out—that is, help others and VOLUNTEER.”

The Lighthouse congratulates Cindy and Bob, and all the 2012 nominees, and thanks them for helping West Pasco to always be its best!

2012 Chasco Ball Sponsors

The Chasco Coronation Ball
is Lighthouse's
annual fundraising event.

Imperial Presenting Sponsor

• The Musunuru Family

Crown Bar Sponsor

• Greg Henry Restoration

Throne Valet Sponsor

• Medical Staff of Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point
• Regions Bank

Regal Nominee Gift Sponsor

• Rotary Club of New Port Richey

Noble Table Sponsors

• Animal’s Best Choice Veterinary Hospital
• Jerry Brewster/Morgan Stanley Smith Barney
• Delzer, Coulter and Bell
• Medical Staff of Morton Plant North Bay
• Rotary Club of Holiday
• Rotary Club of Trinity
• Smith Collision Services
• Suncoast Eye Center

A complete list of ball supporters can be found at http://lvib.org/help/our-supporters. The date for the 28th Annual Chasco Coronation Ball is pending—please stay tuned! If you’d like to be on the mailing list to receive ball information, please call 727-815-0303 or email events@lvib.org.

2. Job Training & Employment

OPPORTUNITY Leads to Success

Many people with vision impairment want to work—please give them an opportunity!

The Lighthouse is committed to the employment of persons who are blind and visually impaired. We are fortunate to have several visually impaired persons on our professional staff, including Laurel Brown (Program Manager), Patricia Lopez (Rehabilitation Teacher), Penny Macpherson (Braille and Assistive Technology Teacher), Sandy Eckert (Administrative Assistant), and Sylvia Stinson-Perez (Executive Director). In 2010, we began to work on programs to provide employment opportunities for our community of persons with vision loss. We spent a lot of time developing a plan with the National Industries for the Blind and SCORE—two organizations dedicated to helping the community and small businesses succeed. They have been and will continue to be a tremendous resource for us as we move forward.

Our first initiative started in January 2011, with the opening of the Lighthouse WebStore, a Lighthouse e-commerce program that sells donated books (print and audio), DVD’s, and CD’s. Theresa Santana, a recent client alumni, was hired to coordinate the WebStore activities. In the last 13 months, Theresa has proven to be a very talented professional and an important part of the Lighthouse team. She has taken on additional responsibilities, identified and implemented ways to improve productivity, and trained others to do the type of work she is doing. Theresa manages the entire e-commerce process, including inventory, adding items to the internet sales site (http://amzn.to/lvibstore), and processing sales. The WebStore (on Amazon) has a 4.95 star rating—which indicates that Theresa is doing a fantastic job.

Theresa states that she loves her job and is always excited to go to work. Sales are gradually increasing, and we are always accepting donations. She says she had proficiency with computers prior to her employment at the WebStore, but she has significantly increased her skill level with the computer, and with adaptive technology for persons who are visually impaired. She also stated that the work has increased her confidence and independence in other areas of her life. If you’d like to read more about Theresa, she was featured in our Spring 2011 edition of LVIB IN TOUCH.

When we first hired Theresa, we coined the phrase “Keep Theresa Working.” Thanks to her hard work and the generosity of donors, we’ve succeeded in doing just that. Now it’s time to move on and help others with vision impairments to succeed. We hope our new Lighthouse Opportunity Center will lead to the success of many, many more persons with visual impairments as they get a real opportunity to work. Please join us on April 27 for our West Pasco Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting Ceremony!

The Lighthouse Opportunity Center

Something new and exciting is happening at the Lighthouse and you can be a part of it! You can help create jobs and change lives. Did you know that adults with vision impairment face a 70% unemployment rate? It is particularly difficult in these economically challenging times for blind persons to find work.

The Lighthouse OPPORTUNITY Center
Grand Opening
Friday, April 27, 2012 – 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
5944 Pine Hill Road, Port Richey, FL 34668

The Lighthouse Opportunity Center will provide job training and paid employment to visually impaired and blind persons. Training and work experience will develop the skills required for employment, at the Lighthouse and in the community, in fields that include administration, product assembly, packaging, and light manufacturing.

You are invited to attend our Grand Opening Event being held on April 27.

By attending this event, you will be showing your support of persons with vision impairments, and you will learn how persons with vision loss are able to gain real employment.

You can also get involved in the following ways:

• Put the Lighthouse to work for your company by utilizing our employees and services to complete your projects, such as assembly and packaging of kits, materials, etc., or sub-contract assembly or light manufacturing projects to us. We have a few projects, but need many more.
• Become a Corporate Sponsor of The Lighthouse Opportunity Center by providing in-kind contributions such as office supplies and equipment.
• Become an Opportunity Partner by agreeing to donate $2,500 or more annually, which will enable us to provide job training and placement.
• Make a one-time donation in any amount to help us provide jobs.
• Help us by giving us items on The Lighthouse Opportunity Center Wish List (please see Ways You Can Help).
• Our donors can be recognized in many ways—ask us for details!

Come tour our new facility on April 27 or arrange for a separate tour of The Lighthouse Opportunity Center. For more information or to RSVP, please call 727-815-0303 or email sperez@lvib.org.

The Lighthouse Opportunity Center logo was created by Gen Morales, one of our Lighthouse teens with a vision impairment.

3. Client Profiles

A Mother/Daughter Story

Lighthouse programs help clients adjust to vision loss
so they can open up
and begin to heal
emotionally.

Angela knows about Macular Degeneration (MD), the eye disease that robs many people of their sight. Her 84-year-old mother, Mae also knows about MD. Their family has a long history of MD.

Mae is a retired physical therapist who thrived on physical activity. About eight years ago, however, Mae started to notice changes in her vision. She knew it was MD, but she didn’t tell anyone. This reserved and private grandmother of six and great grandmother of fifteen didn’t want to worry her family.

Mae lived alone with her vision loss. She knew her vision would decrease because of her family’s medical history, however, she hoped her good eye wouldn’t develop wet MD. As her vision loss increased, Mae’s life began to change and her connection to the outside world diminished.

When Angela realized that her mother had become less active and seemed to be lonely, alarms began to go off. A red flag was raised when her mother became oblivious to dirty floors. Mae also withdrew from her regular activities. Growing up in a family affected by MD, Angela recognized the problem and knew what to do. She brought her mother to an Ophthalmologist and then to the Lighthouse.

Mae took part in the Lighthouse’s Independent Living Skills Program for Older Adults, funded in part by the Division of Blind Services and by the United Way. The program teaches older adults how to live safely with vision loss. Training includes safe meal preparation, safe medication management, fall prevention, mobility training, and strategies to manage household tasks, as well as personal grooming and self care. Clients who take this training experience a higher quality of life and most are able to stay in their homes longer before moving into assisted living facilities or nursing homes.

Since completing the Independent Living Skills Program, Mae has more confidence in herself. She also has started a conversation with her daughter about MD. Mae no longer has a problem talking about vision loss or asking for assistance when she needs it. She’ll take Angela’s arm in the dark and will let her daughter know if she’s feeling depressed. Mae is also more open with other members of the family. She proudly displays her Lighthouse program diploma on her living room wall for all to see. Angela feels fortunate to have become so close to her mother. She wants to be there for her mother as her mother has always been there for her.

A Mother/Daughter Story is a summarized version of this article. The full story can be read online at http://lvib.org/profiles.

Beeping Eggs Equal Big Smiles for Lighthouse Kids

On March 17, 2012, the Lighthouse hosted a Beeping Easter Egg Hunt and BBQ. The children, from the youngest baby to the 12-year-olds, all had a great time with old and new friends with visual impairments, as they played and hunted for beeping and regular eggs. The beeping eggs were donated by the Cotee River Lions Club and Gulf High Leo Club. Beeping eggs provide children who can’t see with the opportunity to participate in a traditional hunt and to have a good time like everyone else. Too often children with visual impairments sit on the sidelines—but not at the Lighthouse!

4. Ways You Can Give

The Lighthouse appreciates the support of our generous donors. Donors of $500+ since December (not including ball donations): C & K Clark Family Foundation, National Industries for the Blind, Purenergy Management Services, Spring Hill Regional Hospital Auxiliary, United Way of Pasco and Hernando Counties, and The Walmart Foundation and Facility 1085. A full list of supporters can be found here.

Please help the Lighthouse meet the need for service by making donations and by volunteering. You can also become a member of The Friends of the Lighthouse Annual Giving Program, join The Lighthouse Legacy Society or purchase “A State of Vision” specialty license plate. Please visit http://lvib.org/help/donate to learn about all the ways you can help. For your convenience, a generalized codicil for your will is provided below.

Lighthouse's donation
QR Code
for your smartphone.

We’ve also designed a special QR code to take you directly to our PayPal donation page using your smartphone. Please be assured that our online donation system is 100% secure. All donations are used to provide programs to our clients.

As we open The Lighthouse Opportunity Center, we need your help more than ever. Please come to the Grand Opening and/or make a donation.

Our wish list includes:

• Donations to support employment training for persons who are blind and visually impaired.
• Donations for equipment needed in the manufacturing and office areas at the Center.
• Donations of books, audio books, CDs, and DVDs for the WebStore/e-commerce.
• Gift certificates for haircuts & clothes so clients can look their best for interviews and work.
• Placement opportunities for job training, job shadowing and employment.

Please contact Sylvia Perez at sperez@lvib.org or 727-815-0303 to learn about other ways you can help. Thank you for your generosity and continued support.

5. About Us

The mission of the Lighthouse is to provide persons who are visually impaired with the skills needed to achieve their maximum independence. We provide free, individualized rehabilitation services to persons who are visually impaired and their families. We are designated by the Florida Division of Blind Services as the only community resource provider of vision rehabilitation in Pasco, Hernando and Citrus Counties.

Lighthouse for the Visually Impaired and Blind, Inc. is a non-profit 501(c)3 charity, registration number CH662. A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE 1-800-435-7352 WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. Official registration can also be viewed online at http://csapp.800helpfla.com/cspublicapp/giftgiversquery/giftgiversquery.aspx.





The Lighthouse is funded in part by the Department of Education, Division of Blind Services, by the United Way of Pasco, the United Way of Hernando, and by Pasco County Commissioners. We also depend on fundraising and donations from clubs, businesses and private citizens in order to meet the need for services.

The Lighthouse Legacy Society

Lighthouse's website
QR Code
for your smartphone.

Only 8% of American households include nonprofits in their estate plans. Imagine the impact it would have on our community if everyone made a bequest to their favorite nonprofit! The Lighthouse is asking you to consider making a bequest that will have a lasting effect on persons who are visually impaired and blind. Following is generalized codicil for your use. If possible, please provide a signed copy to the Lighthouse in order to assist with the execution of your final wishes.

“I devise and bequeath to Lighthouse for the Visually Impaired and Blind, Inc., a nonprofit agency registered in the State of Florida, the sum of $ ______ (or otherwise describe the gift; often a percentage of the estate is designated) to be used in the furtherance of its mission and general purposes.”

To learn about The Lighthouse Legacy Society, please visit http://lvib.org/help/donate/legacy. In order to create a valid last will and testament, a donor should always obtain the assistance of an attorney.

Contact, Read About or Visit the Lighthouse

• Sylvia Stinson-Perez, Executive Director: sperez@lvib.org
• Board and staff directory: http://lvib.org/about/staff
• General email: lighthouse@lvib.org
• Visit our website: www.lvib.org
• Read our blog and sign up for blog updates: http://lvib.org/lighthouse-blog
• Visit us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/LighthousefortheV.I.Pasco.Hernando.Citrus
• You can also read Sylvia’s Guide Dog Tale at http://lighthousepasco.wordpress.com

About LVIB IN TOUCH

LVIB IN TOUCH is a free quarterly newsletter produced and distributed by Lighthouse for the Visually Impaired and Blind.

Thank you to ABCO Graphics & Printing, Inc. for sponsoring this edition of LVIB IN TOUCH. ABCO Graphics & Printing, Inc. did a great job printing and assembling our printed newsletter, and their donation is very much appreciated.

Please help us raise awareness about services, reach more persons with visual impairments, and gain support:

• After reading this newsletter, please forward it to a friend..
• If you are not on our mailing list, contact us to subscribe.
• If you change your address, provide us with the update.
• If you receive LVIB IN TOUCH by mail, please consider subscribing to our email newsletter instead to save paper and postage costs.
• If you have questions or comments about this newsletter, please contact us at newsletter@lvib.org or call the LVIB in your area.

We look forward to hearing from you. Thank you for reading LVIB IN TOUCH.

Return to the top

Submitted by Lighthouse Volunteer,
Caryl Melancon

April has been designated as the month to raise awareness of two important eye safety issues, Women’s Eye Health and Sports Eye Safety.

Did you know that women have a greater risk of vision problems than men? According to studies by Prevent Blindness America and the National Eye Institute, more women than men are diagnosed with eye diseases such as glaucoma, cataracts, macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy every year. Contributing factors are hormonal fluctuations which cause dry eye syndrome and the fact that women generally tend to live longer than men. Two thirds of the visually impaired and blind individuals in America are women.

What can women do to try and keep their eyes healthy? They can:

• Get regular comprehensive eye exams.
• Quit smoking–even second hand smoke can increase the risk of eye disease.
• Wear UV eye protection when outdoors. UV rays are very dangerous to the eyes.
• Eat healthy–carrots, dark green leafy vegetables, broccoli, spinach and omega-3 fatty acids all can help to maintain eye health.
• Know your family history. Because genetics plays a key role in eye disease, let your eye professional know of any eye diseases that run in your family.

Another eye danger that affects women and men as well as children is sport injuries. The American Academy of Ophthalmology reports that more than 40,000 eye injuries are caused each year by sports and recreational activities. Sport injuries include blunt trauma, which is the most common, cuts to your eye, and radiation injuries from exposure to ultraviolet light from the sun.

Yet, according to prevent Blindness America, 90% of these sports related eye injuries can be prevented by wearing appropriate protective gear such as plastic sports eye guards, helmets, face masks and plastic glasses with UV protection. Today more professional athletes use eye guards. Two of the best known athletes who have worn eye protection are basketball players, Horace Grant, a champion player with the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar who won six NBA championships playing with the Milwaukee Bucks and the Los Angeles Lakers.

While professional athletes and amateur athletes are at risk for eye injuries, one third of eye accidents each year happen to children ages 5 to 14 years. The most common are those involved with rough play, but toys can also hurt the eye. Of most concern are missile toys, toys with detachable parts or hard edges, slingshots, BB guns and fireworks.

It is vital that parents, teachers, school nurses and coaches know about the eye injury risks before permitting children to participate in sports. It is suggested that parents consult with an eye doctor for a protective eyewear recommendation before allowing a child to engage in sports activities. It also is important for children who play outdoors to wear UV protection.

Eyesight is a precious gift. Don’t put yourself or your loved ones at risk needlessly. Get regular dilated eye exams, wear eye protection when needed and make the health of your eyes a lifetime priority.

This message is brought to you by the Lighthouse for the Visually Impaired and Blind.

The Lighthouse for the Visually Impaired and Blind offers free adaptive training for persons who are blind and visually impaired of all ages, living in Pasco, Hernando and Citrus Counties. Please spread the word about our programs, stay up-to-date with our newsletter, and also help us increase resources to meet the need for services. Please contact the Lighthouse for more information:

Lighthouse for the Visually Impaired and Blind
Pasco: 8610 Galen Wilson Blvd., Port Richey, FL 34668, Phone: (727) 815-0303
Hernando: 6492 California St., Brooksville, FL 34604, Phone: (352) 754-1132
Citrus: Toll free: 1-866-962-5254

References:

• http://www.womenseyehealth.org/causes/index.php
• http://www.visionmonday.com/ViewContent/tabid/211/content_id/20036/catId/103/Default.aspx
• http://www.uic.edu/com/eye/LearningAboutVision/EyeSite/ProtectingYourEyes/index.shtml
• http://familydoctor.org/familydoctor/en/prevention-wellness/exercise-fitness/sports-safety/eye-injuries-in-sports.html
• http://www.preventblindness.org/sports-eye-safety
• http://www.healthnewsdigest.com/news/Eye_Care_500/Women_Must_take_Necessary_Steps_Today_to_Help_Avoid_Vision_Loss_printer.shtml

5944 Pine Hill Road
Port Richey, FL 34668
Friday, April 27, 2012
11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Persons living with vision impairment and blindness want to work and together, we can help give them the OPPORTUNITY!

Please join us at the Grand Opening to learn more.

RSVP by calling (727) 815-0303 or by emailing lighthouse@lvib.org.

You can also visit:

Lighthouse adds jobs for vision-impaired

Employment at the Lighthouse

Protective eyewear is important at any age.

Submitted by Lighthouse Volunteer, Caryl Melancon

The ability to see is a very precious gift. A gift, which unfortunately, we do not always appreciate until it has been lost. According to the American Foundation for the Blind, “every 7 minutes, someone in the United States becomes blind or visually impaired”. Although certain eye conditions linked to aging, genetics, and disease cannot be prevented, there are certain conditions that can be prevented or delayed. March is Save Your Vision Awareness Month to help create awareness of the do’s and don’ts of protecting your vision.

Do Have Regular Eye Exams

Everyone from children, to adults, to seniors should visit an eye care professional on a regular basis for a dilated eye exam. Many eye diseases such as glaucoma, macular degeneration and diabetic eye disease do not have early symptoms or warning signs. By the time you are aware that something is wrong, it may be too late to save your vision. Regular eye exams are critical to detecting conditions which could lead to vision loss.

Do Eat Right

A diet rich in fruits and vegetables especially dark leafy greens such as spinach can help to keep your eyes healthy. Fish with high omega-3 fatty acids, also, contribute to good eye health.

Do Watch Your Blood Pressure and Cholesterol

High blood pressure can cause you to develop a condition called hypertensive retinopathy which can lead to blindness if untreated. It, also, increases your risk for glaucoma and macular degeneration. High cholesterol is not only bad for your heart, but coupled with high blood pressure can increase the risk of strokes or a central retinal artery occlusion. Strokes can cause large blind spots and a central retinal artery occlusion can result in severe vision loss.

Do Try To Maintain Healthy Blood Sugar Levels

Eating large amounts of fat and sugar can put you at risk for developing diabetes. Diabetes prevents you from properly processing sugar with an excess amount remaining in your blood stream. Keeping your blood sugar level stable can help you prevent diabetic eye diseases which include diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and cataracts.

Don’t Spend Long Periods in the Sun without Protective Eyewear

Overexposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays can cause lasting damage to your eyes. These rays may cause growths to form on the white part of the eye (the sclera), cause the macula to deteriorate (resulting in macular degeneration/loss of central vision), or the clouding of the lens (resulting in cataracts/decrease in visual acuity). Don’t spend time in the sun without protection that blocks UVB and UVA rays.

Don’t Smoke

Smoking is very bad for your eyes. Smoking has been linked to an increased risk for macular degeneration, cataracts, and optic nerve damage. If you smoke, you are three to four times more likely to develop macular degeneration. Second hand smoke should also be avoided. If you live with a smoker, your risk for macular degeneration doubles.

Don’t Be Careless with Your Eyes

If you are involved in any activity that could potentially cause injury to your eyes, be sure you wear protective eyewear. Thousands of individuals are injured each year while participating in sports, working with chemicals, mowing the lawn, or performing other hazardous duties around the home or workplace. April is Sports Eye Safety Awareness Month. Check back with us then to read more about eye safety as it relates to sports. Thank you for tuning in to the Lighthouse!

The Lighthouse for the Visually Impaired and Blind offers free adaptive training for persons who are blind and visually impaired of all ages, living in Pasco, Hernando and Citrus Counties. Please spread the word about our programs, stay up-to-date with our newsletter, and also help us increase resources to meet the need for services. Please contact the Lighthouse for more information:

Lighthouse for the Visually Impaired and Blind
Pasco: 8610 Galen Wilson Blvd., Port Richey, FL 34668, Phone: (727) 815-0303
Hernando: 6492 California St., Brooksville, FL 34604, Phone: (352) 754-1132
Citrus: Toll free: 1-866-962-5254

References:

• http://www.afb.org/section.aspx?SectionID=41&TopicID=225&DocumentID=2736 
• http://www.sightconnection.org/2011/prism-march-2011/
• http://health.gmnews.com/news/2009-03-04/health/027.html
• http://www.moderneye.com/2010/03/march-is-save-your-vision-month/
• http://www.wqad.com/marketplace/eyesurgeons/wqad-eyesurgeons-articles-march,0,3678684.story
• http://www.championsforhealth.org/what-smoking-does-to-your-eyes.php 

Posted with the permission of the Tampa Bay Times
This article was first published online on Saturday, January 28, 2012, and then appeared in print on Sunday, January 29, 2012. Retrieved March 2, 2012 from:
http://www.tampabay.com/opinion/essays/lighthouse-helps-the-visually-impaired/1212844#comments

Close your eyes for a few seconds and imagine what your life would be like if that darkness became permanent. Imagine a baby born without eyesight, perfectly normal otherwise, destined to live for many decades without ever seeing how anything looks.

This is a fact of life for many even though the great majority of us take our eyesight for granted. Without proper eyesight, people lose most of their functional capacity, especially mobility and independence. A National Eye Institute survey found Americans believed that, of all disabilities, loss of eyesight would have the greatest impact on their daily lives.

More than 9 million Americans have age-related macular degeneration, the leading cause of vision loss for people over 60, which has no proven definitive treatment. Other common causes of blindness in adults are cataracts, glaucoma and diabetic neuropathy, which can be corrected or easily treated, as long as early diagnosis is made.

Eye injuries are a leading cause of blindness in children, most of them sports related and most of which can be prevented with proper protection. Avoiding damage from ultraviolet rays is also important.

Diabetic neuropathy affects the vision of more than half of the nearly 26 million adults diagnosed with diabetes. Ninety percent of all causes of blindness from diabetes can be prevented with timely treatment (laser therapy), adequate control of blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol levels. As a bonus, the incidence of heart attacks and strokes also will decrease.

Assistance for the blind or visually impaired can range from simple measures, such as a white cane and a guide dog, to very sophisticated computer technology (enhanced imaging, braille, synthetic speech, optical character recognition, etc.). Many impaired can maintain their current employment or be trained for new work.

Unfortunately, many people lack the financial means or other resources to obtain training and rehabilitation, especially with babies and children.

Nearly 30 years ago, more than 150 people attended a town meeting at Pasco Hernando Community College, conducted by the Florida Division of Blind Services, which established the Suncoast Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Eventually, the name changed to the Lighthouse for the Visually Impaired and Blind, which has two permanent locations in Pasco and Hernando counties and provides services also in Citrus County.

It provides an early intervention program for babies, school-to-work transition for teenagers and an independent living program for adults. An employment and job placement program, a new project, is on the way.

The Lighthouse is fortunate to have a staff of dedicated and extremely efficient professionals with specialized training in visual disabilities. Some of them, including the executive director, are visually impaired and serve as real-life role models. In 2011, Lighthouse served more than 800 people from a 3-month-old to a client who was 105.

The agency is supported by the state of Florida’s Division of Blind Services, the United Way of Pasco and Hernando Counties and the Pasco County government, along with many wonderful volunteers and generous donors. All money is spent locally and the charity’s services are all provided free of charge to those who need help.

Its major fundraiser is the Coronation Ball, a kickoff event for the Chasco Fiesta, on March 23, 2012 where King Pithla and Queen Chasco are crowned each year, based on the individuals’ charitable services to the community. This is a call for all people with vision to help those that have little or no eyesight, with little or no financial means.

For information see www.lvib.org or Lighthouse@lvib.org or call 727-815-0303 or 352-754-1132.

Dr. Rao Musunuru, a cardiologist, is a director for the Lighthouse for the Visually Impaired and Blind and the 2010 King Pithla.

Don't let low vision get in the way of your normal activities. Visit our website to learn about vision rehabilitation.

February has been designated as Low Vision Awareness Month in an effort to raise awareness about low vision. Only 16% of adults over the age of 18 have heard of low vision, therefore awareness campaigns are essential for people to learn about disease, prevention and services that can help.

Low vision is defined as vision that is 20/70 or worse that cannot be corrected with eyeglasses or by medical or surgical therapy. While low vision interferes with daily activities, it is not the same as being blind. People with low vision usually have some useful sight but few know about services that can help.

While low vision may occur at any age, the elderly are primarily affected. It is estimated by Lighthouse International that one in six Americans 45 or older have some form of vision impairment but for Americans age 75 or over that estimate rises to one in four. But, contrary to what many people think, low vision is not a natural part of aging. The normal changes in our eyes as we get older usually don’t lead to low vision. The common causes of low vision include macular degeneration, glaucoma, cataracts and diabetes. As with all eye impairments, early detection of the problem makes treatment more effective.

What are the signs of vision loss? Even with your glasses, do you have difficulty?

• Recognizing your relatives and friends faces?
• Reading, cooking sewing or doing household chores?
• Matching the colors of your cloths?
• Working at the office or at home because the lights seem dim?
• Reading street signs or store names?
• Performing household chores?

These vision changes could be early warning signs of eye disease. If you believe your vision has changed, see your eye care professional as soon as possible. Early diagnosis increases the chance of retaining your remaining vision.

What steps can you take to protect your vision from a significant loss? You should:

• Schedule routine eye examinations. You may have a problem and not know it.
• Try to maintain normal blood pressure, a healthy diet and exercise routine. High blood pressure can lead to visual loss.
• Protect your eyes from the sun. Prolonged exposure to ultraviolet rays can cause macular degeneration and cataracts.
• Protect you eyes from injury. A scratch or other injury to the eye can lead to infection and some vision loss.
• Don’t smoke. Smoking has been associated with a number of eye conditions including macular degeneration and cataracts.
• Eat a nutritious diet – low in fat and rich in fruits, grains and vegetables.

If you do have low vision, there are low vision services available that can help you maximize the use of your remaining vision. These services focus primarily on skills training and modification of the environment to help people with low vision improve their independent functioning. Adaptive equipment such as large print books, large button telephones, large print playing cards, needle threaders, talking watches and raised dot or fluorescent marking for oven dials are very helpful. Rehabilitation counseling, orientation and mobility training and technology training are some of the other rehabilitation services available.

The Lighthouse for the Visually Impaired and Blind provides no cost vision rehabilitation and adjustment to blindness services to residents of Pasco, Hernando and Citrus Counties. Each program is individualized to meet the client’s specific Lighthouse programs and services include outreach, independent living skills (IL), assistive technology, Braille, safe travel and support groups. We also offer Little Lighthouse for babies, year round educational activities for children, transition to adulthood for teens, job readiness for adults, and crafts (as part of IL) for seniors. Our new employment initiatives provide paid employment to people who are visually impaired and blind.

If you do have low vision, these services can dramatically improve your ability to function independently.

About the Lighthouse:

The mission of the Lighthouse is to provide persons who are visually impaired and blind with the skills needed to achieve their maximum independence. The Lighthouse is a nonprofit 501C(3), providing vision rehabilitation services in Pasco, Hernando and Citrus Counties. The Lighthouse is funded in part by the Department of Education, Division of Blind Services, by the United Way of Pasco and Hernando Counties, and by Pasco County Commissioners. We also depend on fundraising and donations from clubs, businesses and private citizens in order to meet the need for services.

Lighthouse for the Visually Impaired and Blind, Inc.
www.lvib.org
lighthouse@lvib.org

Pasco

8610 Galen Wilson Blvd.
Port Richey, FL 34668
Phone: (727) 815-0303

Hernando

6492 California St.
Brooksville, FL 34604
Phone: (352) 754-1132

Citrus & Toll-Free

1-866-962-5254

References:

• http://www.nei.nih.gov/news/pressreleases/031308.asp
• http://www.nei.nih.gov/health/lowvision/lowvispatbro2.pdf
• http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/vision/vision2.htm
• http://www.preventblindness.org/sites/default/files/national/documents/fact_sheets/MK34_LowVision.pdf
• http://www.lowvision.org/what_is_low_vision.htm
• http://www.lighthouse.org/about-low-vision-blindness

Each year, the Lighthouse for the Visually Impaired and Blind hosts the Annual Chasco Coronation Ball. The Ball is a black tie event, held to recognize local philanthropy, and to crown a King Pithla and Queen Chasco, 2 community leaders who give of their time and talents to the many non-profit organizations in our community. The ball also raises much needed funds and awareness for the Lighthouse for the Visually Impaired and Blind. Proceeds from the event are used to provide vision rehabilitation services to persons who are visually impaired and blind.

This year’s ball is being held on Friday March 23, 2012.

Tickets for the Ball are now on sale!

• Reservations for this event are currently being accepted; and tickets are $100.00 per person. To place your order, please contact Tina Shelton at tinashelton@tampabay.rr.com or (727) 439-0516.
• Sponsorship and auction items are also needed. Please email events@lvib.org or contact us for details.
• For a list of the 2012 ball supporters to date, please visit Our Supporters page.

To learn more about the Ball, read about last year’s Coronation ball in the 2011 spring edition of LVIB IN TOUCH or contact us directly. You can also view ball pictures on our Past Events page!

About the Lighthouse:

The mission of the Lighthouse is to provide persons who are visually impaired and blind with the skills needed to achieve their maximum independence. The Lighthouse is a nonprofit 501C(3), providing vision rehabilitation services in Pasco, Hernando and Citrus Counties.

Lighthouse for the Visually Impaired and Blind, Inc.
8610 Galen Wilson Blvd.
Port Richey, FL 34668
Phone: (727) 815-0303
www.lvib.org
lighthouse@lvib.org

Ninety percent (90%) of employed persons with vision impairments use braille to effectively read and write. Unfortunately, only 10% of children with vision impairments are currently learning braille.

There is a literacy crisis among the blind in America. Literacy is defined as the ability to read and write. For many persons with total or profound vision loss, the only way they can effectively read and write is by using Braille, a system of raised dots invented by a blind Louis Braille.

The Braille code was introduced in the United States in 1869, but was not adopted as a Standard English code until 1932. From that point into the early 1960’s, many blind children were taught to read and write using Braille. Unfortunately, from 1965 on, the Braille literacy rate declined. Today, according to the National Federation for the Blind (NFB), over 90% of the 1.3 million legally blind people in the United States do not read Braille, and it is being taught to only 10% of blind children.   

A number of things have contributed to this extremely low literacy rate for persons who are blind. Since the passage of the Rehabilitation Act by Congress in 1973, thousands of children are now enrolled in the public school system rather than in specialized schools for the blind. The problem, however, is that only a small number of public schools can afford to hire or train Braille teachers.  There, also, is the misguided idea that technology—such as audio books and talking computers—are a substitute for Braille. Therefore many educators think Braille isn’t necessary. Children with some residual vision are being denied Braille instruction because of the emphasis on print magnification. However, even with magnification, many children with low vision cannot read print effectively.

Being literate is essential to succeed in life. While the rate of unemployment for persons who are blind is extremely high (70%), it is interesting to note that 90% of blind individuals who are employed are Braille readers. The NFB, the oldest and largest organization of blind persons in the U.S., has been the champion of Braille literacy for decades. They have initiated a campaign to double the number of Braille readers by 2015. 

The President and Congress recognized the critical role Braille plays in the independence and success of the blind with the passage of Public Law 109-247 in July 2006. The law authorized the minting of the 2009 Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollar. Louis Braille was born on January 4, 1809 in Coupvray, France and became totally blind by the age of 5. As a young child, while attending a school for blind children, Louis became disenchanted with the books for the blind that had large letters embossed on the pages. As a result, he started punching holes in paper and developed what we know today as the Braille code. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of 2009 Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollars goes toward the Braille literacy campaign. The coins can be obtained from the U.S. Mint or from the NFB.

Another effort to spread the word about the importance of Braille was the “Let Freedom Ring” book. This is a book of 100 letters to the President of the United States from blind children, adults and senior citizens that explains Braille’s role in their lives. On February 1, 2010, Arn Duncan, Secretary of Education accepted the book on behalf of President Obama from Fred Schroeder, NFB’s First Vice President.

The Annual Braille Challenge, also, promotes Braille literacy and competency. It is a national academic competition open to all blind students up to grade 12.  The Challenge stresses reading comprehension, spelling, Braille speed and accuracy, proofreading and the reading of tactile charts and graphs.

The Lighthouse for the Visually Impaired and Blind offers free training in Braille reading and writing for persons who are blind and visually impaired of all ages, living in Pasco, Hernando and Citrus Counties. We are also seeking donors in support of our babies, children’s and adult literacy activities. Please contact the Lighthouse for more information:

Lighthouse for the Visually Impaired and Blind
8610 Galen Wilson Blvd., Port Richey, FL 34668
Phone: (727) 815-0303, Toll free: 1-866-962-5254

References

• www.nfb.org/nfb/Braille_media.asp?SnID=1
• www.nfb.org/nfb/Braille_Initiative.asp
• www.perkins.org/news-events/press/a-boost-for-braille.html
• www.fimcvi.org/braille-challenge
• http://donna-w-hill.suite101.com/obama-gets-book-of-letters-about-braille-a199513
• www.nfb.org/nfb/Braille_coin.asp

In our fiscal year ending June 30, 2011, the Lighthouse served over 800 persons living in Pasco, Hernando and Citrus counties. Of this number, 241 persons with vision impairments and blindness were provided with extensive vision rehabilitation programs and 46 family members and professionals were provided with services in support of persons with vision loss. As 2011 comes to an end, we would like to share one of our ‘little’ success stories with you.

Lily is a visually impaired child, born with a very rare combination of visual defects. During her first few months, her parents, Jennifer and Peter, brought Lily to numerous professionals. They were desperate to know if their baby could see. Jennifer and Peter also were in fear for Lily’s future—at that point they did not know about services specifically designed to support blind children in meeting their childhood milestones. Finally a pediatric ophthalmologist, Dr. Derek Hess, suggested that they bring Lily to the Lighthouse.

At the Lighthouse, Lily was placed in the Early Intervention Blind Babies Program where she began to learn how to use her remaining vision and how to integrate her other senses. Educators estimate that more than 80% of what children learn is incidental learning that is learning from observation. Obviously for visually impaired children, such learning is problematic. Lily and her parents were taught how to explore and learn about the world in other ways. Lily is now walking, developing pre-literacy skills, and soon she will enter the literacy stage. Lily will learn to read with her eyes, ears and hands using adapted skills and computer technology. We anticipate she will be on time for entering the school system.

Lily’s story is one of many Lighthouse success stories. Since 1983, we have assisted thousands of persons with vision impairments and their families to cope with the physical and emotional challenges associated with vision loss. You are invited to learn more about our clients and services by visiting our website. Also please visit our current newsletter to read more about Lily in “Learning to See – A Child’s Journey.”

The Lighthouse is funded in part by the Division of Blind Services, the United Way of Pasco and Hernando Counties, and Pasco County Board of Commissioners. We also depend on donations in order to meet the need for services. If you are able, please help us continue to meet the need by donating, volunteering, attending our annual ball, or by raising awareness about vision rehabilitation services. Checks can be sent to:

Lighthouse for the Visually Impaired and Blind, Inc.
8610 Galen Wilson Blvd.
Port Richey, FL 34668

Thank you for your consideration of our yearend appeal, for your contributions, and for your support of persons who are visually impaired and blind. The staff and volunteers of the Lighthouse for the Visually Impaired and Blind wish you and your loved ones a joyous Holiday Season and a Happy, Healthy New Year.

Sylvia Perez, Executive Director
Lighthouse for the Visually Impaired and Blind, Inc.
Phone: (727) 815-0303
Serving Pasco, Hernando & Citrus Counties