San Antonio Low Vision Club
Help.
Hope. Independence.
Support and Assistance When Vision Fails
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San Antonio Low Vision Club |
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July 15-"Benefits of the Americans With Disabilities Act" by Sid Ordway, Larry Belote and Bob Kozel. The ADA is a historic mandate passed by Congress to eliminate discrimination against handicapped individuals. August 19-"TLC for Caregivers." A discussion topic moderated by Leslie Hoy. September 16-"Using a Tool Belt" by Rita Burg from Chris Cole. Legally blind, Rita will talk about the tools she has used as she progressed in her visual impairment. Looking Ahead-A special Sunday afternoon seminar in October featuring information on the latest treatments. This big program will be open to the general public.
If You Have Macular Degeneration? Here is an important Talking Book you should request from the Texas State Library. Its number is RC48615 and its title is "Macular Degeneration: A Complete Guide to Saving and Maximizing Your Sight" by ophthalmologist Lylas G. Mogk, M.D. and Marja Mogk. (It also is published in regular size type by Ballantine Books at $13.95). This book covers everything from the newest information on reducing risk, experimental treatments and research to coping strategies for dealing with depression and frustration, healthy recipes for prevention and tips for finding local resources. It presents the medical aspects of macular degeneration without jargon, explaining medical terms in clear English. Bonnie Truax thinks it's great.
Courtesy Hints For The Sighted Escort (Excerpts reprinted by permission of VIABIL, Inc.) We are ordinary people, just blind. You don't need to raise your voice or ask our friend if we want cream in our coffee? Ask us! Some of us use a guide dog. Please do not feed, touch or in
any way distract a working dog. We may prefer to open doors for ourselves? Please let us choose. We can seat ourselves. Please put our hand on the back of the chair. We want to know who is in the room with us. Speak to us when you enter. Please introduce us to others. Shake our hand if we extend it, even if it is not pointing directly at you. Tell us when you are leaving us as well. We enjoy hearing about the sights along the way when riding in
a car or bus. You don't need to avoid using words like "see". I use them too. We
are always glad to see you! At meals, ask before you help. We imagine our plates are a clock. We may like to know at what "time" the food is placed. We'll discuss our blindness with you and answer all your questions if your are curious, but it's an old story to us. We have as many interests as you do. There is nothing better than finding a new friend and being comfortable with our old friends. Call us next time you are going to the store, library or voting booth. We'll both be glad you did!
WE NEED YOUR HELP We need help obtaining publicity about the activities of our Low Vision Club. We have had some success, but many of our activities are still unknown. If you know someone in TV, radio, newspapers or any media, please let Bonnie know. Maybe we can work together to get our story told. Call her at 344-1479. We also need your help in limiting the hours you place calls to Rock Courtney requesting rides to club meetings. Please call only between the hours of 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. No one appreciates receiving calls at all hours. LVC members Pegie and Manual Gonzalez have been chosen by the Enterprise Foundation to work on a Community Leadership Development Project. They need ideas on what visually impaired people desire in the community. Call them at 493-9272. The Kellogg Eye Center at the University of Michigan is enrolling people in an Adult Macular Degeneration Study Group. They are working to understand how changes in our genes lead to development of macular degeneration. If you have AMD and are interested in helping with this research, contact Beverly Yashar at 1-877-263-4363.
HELPFUL TIPS FOR YOU The City of San Antonio has set up a new 3-digit telephone number for direct services and information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Just dial 3-1-1 for assistance with City services such as pothole repairs, garbage collection, etc. There's a new lightweight, folding or rigid white cane made out of graphite available from Revolution Enterprises. For information, call toll free 1-800-382-5132. Ann Morris Enterprises, Inc. has a great catalog of products for the visually impaired. Catalogs come in large print, 4-track audio cassette and IBM format disk. Call toll free 1-800-454-3175 or e-mail annmor@webspan.net.
FOR SALE BY MEMBERS CCTV-4 to 5 years old-$500--call 349-4939.
INVITATIONS The Forum Residence Community Support Group invites other LVC members to join them at their meetings on the 2nd Wednesday of each month from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. The address is 311 W. Nottingham in Alamo Heights. Tim Gutierrez is starting a martial arts group geared to performance. If interested, call him at 670-9224. Past newsletters are available online in our newsletter archive. |
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We have a terrific schedule of programs coming your way!