Our Fourth Annual Low Vision EXPO on March 23^rd generated capacity crowds at the UT Health Science Center in San Antonio. Over 500 persons had the opportunity to view the latest in low vision aids and explore community resources. What made it special was the work of dozens of volunteers…far too numerous to mention individually…but we must all thank Bob Hobson, overall chairman and No. 1 worker, for a great job!

The San Antonio Low Vision Club Radio Reading Service "kicked off" March 6^th with a ribbon cutting ceremony attended by the media, our supporters from the Lions Clubs of District 2-A2, leaders from the Chamber of Commerce, and invited guests.

Actually, our crew of sighted volunteers has been on the air reading the San Antonio Express-News for two hours daily, seven days a week, since February 19 in what we called a "soft opening" to try everything out. Prior to the opening, Volunteer Chairperson Sally Wiskemann auditioned and trained volunteers for this important task.

Other hours each day feature articles from national programs provided by satellite.

The radio broadcasts are carried without charge over a sub-channel of KSTX for reception on special receivers pre-tuned only to that channel. Broadcast equipment was funded by the Lions Clubs of District 2-A2.

Application forms for the special radio receivers are available to anyone certified as "print impaired". Write to SALVC Radio Reading Service, 1250 N.E. Loop 410, Suite 630, San Antonio, TX 78209.

UPCOMING PROGRAMS

April 6—Our "Spring Breakout" with the Blinded Veterans Association. Reservations are now closed for this event.

May 18—Library Day

A speaker from the San Antonio Public Library will detail plans for their Centennial in 2003, and LVC member Allen Townsend will discuss how we hope to help. Also, Joyce Spears, representing the Texas State Library in Austin, will explain their Talking Books Program and their Reference Library.

June 15—Group Discussion led by Moderator Leslie Hoy.

(Reprinted with permission from Second Sight newsletter)

.Blessed are they who refrain from shouting when they speak to me.

.Blessed are they who talk directly to me, and not through someone else.

.Blessed are they who say who they are when entering a room, and say hello to me.

.Blessed are they who say goodbye to me when they leave, so I’m not left talking to the air.

.Blessed are they who do not hesitate to say the word "see" when talking to me.

.Blessed are they who place my hand on an object such as the back of a chair when trying to tell me where it is, so that I may seat myself.

.Blessed are they who offer me their arm so they may serve as my guide, instead of grabbing, pulling or shoving me.

.Blessed are they who come up to me in a large crowd and offer to help me when I appear disoriented.

.Blessed are they who read me the menu and its prices, and allow me to order my own meal.

.Blessed are they who treat me like a human being, for like it or not, I am a human being.

Cash donations to the club this quarter have come from Stan Wiggins, Guy Alexander, Emilie Stanley and L. C.

McGonagle. We also received substantial donations to the Radio Reading Service from the San Antonio Express-News, the G. Architecture Foundation, and the Boeing Employees Fund. All gifts are greatly appreciatedl

The Door in the Wall has announced their 6^th annual fishing trip, a wheelchair accessible weekend coming May 18-19 at Woody’s Sports Center in Port Aransas.

For more information, call 210-637-8316.

We continue to provide these newsletters on audio cassettes to those who request it. However, please return your tapes at a future meeting so we can re-process them for the next issue and not have to buy new tapes. (We promise hugs and kisses to those who do.) If you want an audio cassette instead of a printed copy, call Ed Brown at 732-1802.

Our LVC Crafts group which meets on the second Saturday morning of each month has openings for more members. Under guidance from an expert instructor, they make all kinds of things. Call Marian Harrell at 655-9659.

For a free Braille calendar, call Milton Washer 822-7716.

He will mail it to you.

Tim Gutierrez reports that the elderly and disabled can receive discounts on moving from Mike Ramierz. Call 922-5409 evenings and weekends.

Texas Governor Rick Perry will honor LVC Club President Bonnie Truax as a winner of one of the 2002 Governor’s Volunteer Awards in a special ceremony at the capitol in Austin on April 23^rd. A reception at the governor’s mansion will follow the ceremony. Bonnie was nominated for the award by the Texas Commission for the Blind. She was a semi-finalist in the seniors category.

"What do we live for if it is not to make life less difficult for each other". (George Elliott)