San Antonio Low Vision Club

San Antonio Low Vision Club
Help. Hope. Independence.
Support and Assistance When Vision Fails

LOW VIZ BIZ #13 — SUMMER 2001

Upcoming Programs

July 21-"A Visit To The San Antonio Lighthouse"

Focusing on:

*Computers and Technology

*The Seniors Program

*The Lighthouse Store-Low Vision Aids

Aug. 18-Discussion Topic-"Public Awareness"

Moderated by Leslie Hoy

How to stand up for yourself and what you need in the community, at home, at work.

Sept. 15-Latest Research on Eye Diseases Featuring a Group of Ophthalmologists

Memorials and Donations

The club's treasury received a much-needed assist this quarter from several donations and memorials. Major contributors were Paul E. Lally, Jr., Geri Andrews, Francesco Giammalvo, and Jean Paletta who earmarked her donation as a memorial to Manuel and Pegie Gonzalez deceased daughter Dina Barry. Since the club is a 501c(3) non-profit corporation, all such donations are tax deductible, and very much appreciated.

Health Fairs

Volunteers have spread the word at several recent health fairs about the club's many activities in support of the visually impaired. If you would like to serve on this committee, call the chairperson, Teresita Casarez at 435-7617. Upcoming fairs are: Aug. 24, 27, 28 & 29 American Legions, HBG Convention Center. Oct. 18 & 19 Seniors Lifestyle Show, Airport Convention Center.

Poem Read By Larry Johnson

At the May LVC meeting, Larry Johnson read a poem which stimulated several requests to have it reprinted in the newsletter. Here it is:

THE OTHER FELLOW

Let me be a little kinder, even though a little blinder

To the faults of those about me-Let me praise a little more.

Let me be, when I am weary, just a little bit more cherry,

Let me serve a little better, those that I am striving for.

Let me be a little braver when temptation bids me waver,

Let me strive a little harder to be all that I should be.

Let me be a little meeker with the brother that is weaker,

Let me think more of my fellows, and a little less of me.

Contribution from Lavern Saphore

Many of you will remember our former 93-year old member Lavern Saphore

who moved to Pennsylvania. Here's an poem he sent recently which he

entitled "My Glasses? A Revelation!"

I looked in the mirror, and liked what I saw.

My face was not drawn, the wrinkles were gone!

My house was not dirty, the cobwebs were gone.

My garden looked great, so did my lawn!

I'll never again put my glasses on!.(Author Unknown)

Lavern added the words, "We need a sense of humor!" He's so right.

Thanks, Lavern. We miss you!

Quick Notes About A Lot of Things

The Hadley School for the Blind has a new free course for persons who are beginning to experience vision loss. It's called "Introduction to Low Vision". It describes the comprehensive eye exam, optical aids , common feelings that attend vision loss, and community resources. The course #E-RH-301 is available in large print or audiocassette. If interested, call 1-800-526-9909. Hey, Antia-1-800-442-6482 offers all sorts of information. from restaurant tipping guides to horoscopes. You might want to call. Playing the part of an Ambassador for the Blind, Bonnie Truax discovered The Outback Steakhouse on Highway 281 has a large print menu. Just ask for it at the podium when you check in. The ever-accommodating manager's name is Dayne Jones.

"The Phases of Adjusting to Blindness" by Elizabeth Fiorite

(Reprinted from the Winter 1997 issue of DIALOGUE, A World of Ideas for Visually Impaired People of All Ages. 1-800-860-4224.)

There are seven phases of adjusting to life with blindness, according to Dr. Dean Tuttle, author of SELF-ESTEEM AND ADJUSTING WITH BLINDNESSS.

Briefly, these are the 7 phases:

1. Trauma, or the initial event or incident that causes blindness.

2. Shock, or the "I don't believe this is happening to me" stage.

3. Mourning, evidenced by anger, hostility, withdrawal, and/or self-pity.

4. Depression, the "I just can't face it, handle it, deal with it" phase.

5. Reassessment, the turning point: "Well, maybe I can" phase.

6. Coping, the "I can!" phase.

7. Self-acceptance and self-esteem, the "I accept and like myself as a person with many strengths and limitations" stage.

There is no time limit for any of these phases, but to spend a prolonged time in phases 2,3,or 4, could be unhealthy, resulting in maladaptive behavior and irrational beliefs. For example, a friend whose unsuccessful laser surgery left her totally blind told me, "I'm just going to bed and pray to God to work a miracle." Likewise, others have told me that they believe blindness is a punishment from God, either for their own sins or the sins of their parents. We must not allow ourselves to fall into this type of pointless belief, for which no evidence exists. Almost all religions proclaim a God who is merciful, whose love is unconditional and everlasting, and not a "Gotcha" God. As psychotherapist Thomas Moore states in his book, SOUL MATES: "Questions about human suffering are the most profound mysteries we can tackle, but blaming our struggling human parents for these utterly deep mysteries distracts us from our own responsibilities."

These phases are the same for us as we adjust to any other of life's traumas, such as the death of a loved one, the loss of a job, separation from family or friends, and divorce. Obviously, there is not fixed or final stage of adjustment. We are, at best, on the way. In self-acceptance, we recognize and celebrate our uniqueness. In self-esteem, we acknowledge our worth, our ability to love and be loved. We do not say, " I am a blind person", but "I am one-of-a-kind, a person with many gifts and strengths, and some limitations, who happens to be blind"

Past newsletters are available online in our newsletter archive.