LVIB IN TOUCH, Fall 2011/Winter 2012 Edition

December 16, 2011 by Leave a comment

Click here to download the print version.

Agency Update From The Executive Director

Loss of sight is something most of you can only imagine, but there are more persons than you know that experience the loss of their sight, a loss that impacts every aspect of life. If you are a sighted person, I’d like to ask you to imagine a few things:

Imagine if you woke up tomorrow and were blind. How would your life change? Could you still live independently, play ball with your child, operate your computer, ride a bike, or read a book? The answer is yes—with training from the Lighthouse. Every day the Lighthouse sees this reality in the lives of persons who are blind and visually impaired—from babies to seniors—who are living life to their maximum independence.

15 month old Lilly sitting in Santa's lap

15-month-old Lily is using “Little Lighthouse” Early Intervention Services to develop the skills needed to succeed.

Imagine if you were blind and needed to work. Persons who are visually impaired and blind experience an over 70% unemployment rate, and the Lighthouse is working on reducing this staggering statistic in the areas we serve. In 2012, we are planning some exciting new programs and enterprises that will create employment for individuals who are blind.

In 2011, the Lighthouse served over 800 people. Our clients are more independent and lead a higher quality of life because of our support and services. Please read our newsletter to learn how we are helping persons who are visually impaired, like Lily, pictured with Santa, to live successfully with vision loss.

On behalf of the Lighthouse Board of Directors, staff, volunteers and those we serve, I wish all of you a Happy Holiday season. Thank you to all who have supported independence for persons who are blind and visually impaired. Now more than ever, we need your support. The number of persons who have vision loss is increasing, and we want to keep up with the demand for service.

Please consider making a donation towards our 2011 Yearend Appeal for Support. There are several ways to make a donation to the Lighthouse which include joining The Friends of the Lighthouse Annual Giving Program. In-kind donations are always accepted as well. Please see our Wish List at http://lvib.org/help/donate/wish-list for details.

If you like our newsletter, please share it on Facebook. Thank you!




Inside this Edition

1. Giving For A Vision

2. Year In Review

3. Client Profiles

4. Donors – December 2010 to December 2011

5. About Us

Read more of this post

Filed under Lighthouse, Newsletter, Success Stories Tagged with , , , , , , , , ,

November is Diabetic Eye Disease Awareness Month

November 2, 2011 by 3 Comments

Prevent Blindness America has designated November as Diabetic Eye Disease Month to create awareness about the eye diseases caused by diabetes. Over 23 million children and adults suffer from diabetes and the number is growing. Unfortunately and surprisingly, one-third of the people with diabetes have not been diagnosed. It is important that people understand the risks diabetes poses to their eyes and visit an ophthalmologist and a primary care physician regularly. The earlier the disease is diagnosed and lifestyle changes and treatment initiated, the better the chances of avoiding vision loss and other problems.

Diabetes is the primary cause of new cases of blindness among adults ages 20 to 74. The risk of eyesight threatening problems such as diabetic retinopathy (DR), glaucoma and cataracts is much higher for diabetics both Type 1 and Type 2. Between 40 and 45% of diabetics have some stage of diabetic retinopathy and diabetics are 40% more likely to develop glaucoma and 60% more likely to develop cataracts.

Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness in the United States. With diabetic retinopathy, the small blood vessels in the eye become enlarged or clogged by high levels of sugar in the blood. They also can become weak and rupture or the retina can become detached. Often there are no early symptoms of the disease. When symptoms appear, they can include bury or double vision, floaters or dark patches, or in the case of a detached retina, flashes or dark spots. The longer an individual has diabetes and the older they are the more likely they are to get DR.

Glaucoma is often referred to as the “thief of sight”. Fluid pressure inside the eye rises and damages the optic nerve. There are usually no symptoms at first, but an eye exam can detect it.

Cataracts cloud or fog the lens of the eye. While anyone can get cataracts, people with diabetes tend to get them at an earlier age and the condition progresses more rapidly. Symptoms include blurred or glared vision.

For diabetics, annual eye exams are a must. It is estimated that 90% of diabetic eye disease can be prevented by regular examinations and treatment. Unfortunately, more than half of the people with diabetes do not get the recommended yearly eye exams.

If you have diabetes, don’t risk blindness. Make sure you get annual eye exams. If you know someone with diabetes, make them aware of the risk. Losing ones sight is tragic but it’s even more tragic when it could have been prevented. If you need help with developing skills to cope with loss of vision, please contact the Lighthouse.

Submitted by Caryl Melancon, Lighthouse Volunteer

References:

Filed under Info about Blindness Tagged with

A video for accessibility in medical and other settings

October 30, 2011 by Leave a comment

This is great information for anyone who comes into contact with persons who are visually impaired. Please pass it on!

“How Can I Help You?”

Last year, client members of the Advocacy Committee of the New Hampshire Association for the Blind shared personal stories about difficulties they had experienced as persons who are blind or visually impaired in hospitals and other medical practices and facilities.

The group asked:

“How can we change things?”
“How can we train hospital staff so we can have the same access as sighted people?”

The decision was made:  “Lets make a training video.”

With this goal in mind, the committee created a video that illustrates many problems blind and visually impaired people often face while getting medical care. The video is now available for all to view.

To Watch and\or Download: Go to: www.sightcenter.org  -  on the front page menu open Resources Tab, select Video Links, read the story of how the video came about and select Watch or Download.

You can also see it on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlP7mCr3LmQ

It is the hope of the New Hampshire Association for the Blind, that any organization that wishes may use this video for staff and volunteer training purposes and to promote accessibility for persons who are blind and visually impaired.  We also encourage others to create similar tools and disseminate them broadly.

Filed under Info about Blindness Tagged with

Event Recap: 2011 White Cane Awareness Day

October 17, 2011 by Leave a comment

Sighted persons under blindfold stand by the goal line waiting to hear the ball appoach

Saturday October 25, 2011 was mild and breezy. A large group of visually impaired and blind persons, and their friends and family members, gathered in Anderson Snow Park to commemorate National White Cane Safety Day. We were also joined by several of our returning volunteers, plus we were fortunate to have some new ones, including sorority sisters from Theta Phi Alpha at Saint Leo University. 

The event, organized by the Lighthouse for the Visually Impaired and Blind, included a friendly game of goalball, which is a team sport played by persons who are visually impaired and blind, using a rubber ball that contains jingling bells. At Saturday’s event, sighted persons wearing blindfolds played alongside those who are vision impaired. This was a unique experience for many of the sighted players—wearing a blindfold while trying to block the ball was definitely a challenge. However, this “eye opener” proved to be fun for all and educational for those who don’t know or understand vision impairment.

The group also participated in our walk for independence, which was a great opportunity for those in the park to observe persons who are visually impaired using their white canes. Our white cane day was the second event held this October, intended to raise awareness about free vision rehabilitation services for those living with low vision in Pasco, Hernando and Citrus Counties. So few people know about our services, therefore our events are critical to getting the word out in different ways. Happily, we were able to attract the attention of Hernando Today. Please read their article about the Lighthouse, called Seeing Clearly by Hayley Mathis.

Thank you to all who attended our White Cane Day, especially our volunteers. Your caring nature and your positive energy goes a long way to making the persons we serve feel as though they are part of your community, and the extra hands made our efforts at raising awareness a real success. Also thank you to Vanda Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Publix Super Markets Charities for sponsoring our White Cane Day. Vanda Pharmaceuticals is conducting a sleep study for those who are completely blind and suffer from sleep deprivation. For information on the study, please contact 1-888-389-7033, email info@non24registry.com or go to http://www.non24registry.com.

 

Filed under Events, Info about Blindness Tagged with , ,

Vision Awareness Month Proclamation for the State of Florida

October 13, 2011 by Leave a comment

Governor Rick Scott has proclaimed October to be Vision Awareness Month. This proclamation helps raise awareness about vision loss, and about services that enable those who are blind and visually impaired to have equal access to services. Please share this proclamation with others, to help raise awareness, and to celebrate the independence achieved by those who are visually impaired and blind. You are invited to help us celebrate – everyone is welcome to attend our White Cane Awareness event being held this Saturday, October 15. Please click here for details. Now for the proclamation:

 

Vision Awareness Month

Proclamation signed by the Governor

Proclamation signed by the Governor

WHEREAS, understanding the effects of vision loss is essential; and

WHEREAS, obtaining knowledge about current laws, rights, skills and abilities of persons with visual loss or who are blind will enable this population to have equal access to services, businesses and activities benefiting them and the entire community; and

WHEREAS, as the public learns more about the Americans with Disabilities Act, greater opportunities will become available to persons who are blind or visually impaired; and

WHEREAS, all residents are encouraged to seek and learn information about the abilities of persons who are blind or visually impaired, to learn the most effective ways to provide assistance and to increase their knowledge about the rights and laws that provide assistance to this population in fully integrating them into all aspects of society.

 NOW, THEREFORE, I, Rick Scott, Governor of the State of Florida, do hereby extend greetings and best wishes to all observing October 2011 as Vision Awareness Month.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of Florida to be affixed at Tallahassee, the Capital, this 30th day of September, in the year two thousand eleven.

Signed by Governor Rick Scott.

Filed under Events, Info about Blindness Tagged with ,

White Canes, Guides Dogs, Independence, and White Cane Awareness Day

October 3, 2011 by Leave a comment

Walkers at our 2010 White Cane Day Event

Walkers at our 2010 White Cane Day Event

The majority of visually impaired and blind individuals want to be as independent as possible. White canes and guide dogs help them achieve that goal.  National White Cane Safety Day, which is October 15th, was established to ensure the safety and independence of visually impaired and blind individuals who use white canes or guide dogs or both. The Lighthouse for the Visually Impaired and Blind celebrates National White Cane Safety Day every year to promote the independence and achievements of people who are blind or visually impaired and to raise awareness of the White Cane law which requires drivers to yield to pedestrians with a white cane or guide dog.

This year’s celebration will take place on October 15th, at 10:00 a.m. at Anderson Snow Park in Spring Hill and will feature a white cane walk. Sighted individuals, who are interested in learning what it’s like to be blind, will be provided with simulator glasses and assisted on the walk by sighted guides to ensure their safety. Participants, also, are encouraged to walk with an individual who is visually impaired to learn about them and their experience. Please visit our events page for more information and to RSVP for our October 15 White Cane Celebration.

Throughout the ages, canes, staffs and sticks have been used as aids by the blind. However, it was not until the twentieth century that the cane became a symbol to alert people that an individual was blind. The introduction of the white cane in the United States has been attributed to Lion’s Clubs International when, in 1930, a member in Peoria, Illinois watched a blind man trying to cross a busy street with a black cane. The club decided to paint the cane white so that it would be more visible to motorists and began a national program promoting the use of white canes for the blind.

Read more of this post

Filed under Events, Info about Blindness Tagged with

APH Launches “Imagination Library” Partnership with Dollywood Foundation to Make Books Accessible to Visually Impaired Children

September 27, 2011 by Leave a comment

Louisville, KY (September 26, 2011) – In June of this year, the American Printing House for the Blind (APH) and the Dollywood Foundation announced an exciting partnership to expand Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library (DPIL) to provide young blind and visually impaired children with accessible books. Today, both organizations are pleased to announce that the APH/DPIL Partnership has launched!

The first DPIL audio book files are now available at the site as free downloads to registered members of the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Library of Congress (NLS). More audio books will be added each month.

Beginning in 2012, the Partnership will make available an annual selection of print/braille Imagination Library books free to eligible families and for purchase at low cost to all others (regular funds or Federal Quota funds can be used).

Read more of this post

Filed under Info about Blindness Tagged with , ,

LVIB IN TOUCH, Summer 2011 Edition

September 14, 2011 by Leave a comment

LVIB In Touch Graphic Banner

Click here to download the print version.

Agency Update from the Executive Director

The weather is still hot and muggy, but summer 2011 is almost over. For the children and teens who are now back in school, another summer is gone, hopefully leaving them with many happy memories. The Lighthouse was one busy and noisy place this summer but we loved it.

We had 12 participants in our School to Work Teen Transition Program, up from seven last summer. The teens worked on many skills that will help them develop into independent and competent adults who also happen to have visual impairments. They all had real jobs out in the community—and believe me, they worked hard. Thank you again to the SPCA Suncoast and the other organizations who served as worksites this summer. The teens continue throughout the school year with us for a few hours a week, and if you would like to share what you or your organization does with them, please let us know. Exposure to as many jobs as possible helps them expand their concept of the possibilities.

Kids at camp, creating lifelong memories of summer fun while learning how to function with vision impairment

The Lighthouse was also thrilled to have six children between the ages of five and 12 spend a week learning through play and fun. As the Executive Director, I try to meet most of our clients and spend time with them; it reminds me when I am buried with work why all of that is so important.

But this summer, I spent the entire week with the children, playing and laughing right along with them. The highlight for us all was appearing on national television on “So You Think You Can Dance” on July 28. Thanks to the generosity of Arthur Murray Palm Harbor, who provided a dance lesson to the children and then shared it with the show.

The children all said they felt like stars, and of course everyone feels good when they feel like they can actually dance. That is how Lania Berger and the staff at Arthur Murray Palm Harbor made us feel.

We are also very excited and thankful to the United Way of Hernando County for approving our application for funding and making the Lighthouse a partner agency. Thank you for supporting our programs for Independent Living and Employment. We also would like to thank the United Way of Pasco County, who again provided continued funding for our Independent Living Skills Program. Please support your local United Way, as they truly enable many worthy organizations like the Lighthouse to make our communities and those who live in them better. Live United!

July 1, 2011, started a new fiscal year at the Lighthouse. I wish to thank our Board of Directors for their continued support, and a very special thanks to Dr. John Mann who served as the President of our organization last year, and on whom we will continue to rely for his tremendous wisdom. I am also very excited to work with our 2011–2012 President, Jamie Mick, who is so dynamic I hope I can keep up with her!

I would like to say a very big thanks to the Lighthouse staff, including those who work in the summer months. It is a crazy time at the Lighthouse every summer, but somehow we manage to continue our regular programs and classes for babies and adults, while taking on the children and teens. And, finally, thank you to our volunteers, who help fill in the gaps—you are amazing. It is a privilege to work with very special people at the Lighthouse. Thank you for helping us achieve our mission that inspires hope, confidence and independence.

If you like our newsletter, please share it on Facebook. Thank you!

Inside this Edition

1. Program Update: Focus on Kids & Teens

2. Client Profile: Living and Learning with Low Vision

3. Employment Update: Celebrating Success

4. People Who are Making a Difference

5. Donors’ Corner

6. Events Calendar — Coming This Fall

7. About Us

Read more of this post

Filed under Newsletter Tagged with , , , , , , , , ,

September Awareness

September 7, 2011 by Leave a comment

September is Home & Sports Eye Safety Month

Most of us take our vision for granted. Yes, we get glasses when we need them and have cataracts removed etc. But we sometimes do foolish things which endanger our sight and sometimes cause us to lose it. Some don’t appreciate what a gift vision is until we no longer have it. And, if this precious gift is lost through carelessness or failure to protect ourselves from injury, then the loss is especially tragic.

Pictures of a woan wearing safety goggles.

Protecting your eyes can be as easy as wearing protective eyewear.

While many people believe that eye injuries are most common at work, the fact is nearly half (44.7% according to theAmericanAcademyof Ophthalmology and American Society of Ocular Trauma) were caused by projects and activities in the home such as yard work, cleaning and cooking. And, more than 40 % of eye injuries every year are related to sports or recreational activities.

Protecting your eyes is basic to keeping your vision healthy. Yet according to a national survey, only 35% surveyed said they wear protective eyewear while performing home repairs and even less said that they protected their eyes when playing sports.

Read more of this post

Filed under Info about Blindness Tagged with ,

August Awareness: Children’s Eye Health & Safety Awareness

August 9, 2011 by Leave a comment

Submitted by Jesse Tucker

Young grade school age girl heading off to school

Young grade school age girl heading off to school

The new school year is about to start and all children should have an eye examination to ensure that they can see properly to learn effectively. According to the American Optometric Association (AOA), vision problems affect 1 in 4 school age children. Detection and preventative measures are the best defense. The Prevent Blindness America Association has declared the month of August to be Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month.

Parents, it is time for the back-to-school checklist which includes new clothes, new shoes, new backpacks and school supplies. But, do not leave off having your child’s eyes examined as well; even though you don’t hear them complaining about their vision. The American Optometric Association has made a list of things to look out for to detect children’s eye problems. Read more of this post

Filed under Info about Blindness Tagged with , ,

← Older posts

Newer posts →