Upcoming Programs at the Allied Health Building

Because of ongoing construction at our previous meeting site, all monthly meetings of the Low Vision Club are now being held at UTHSC Allied Health Building, 8403 Floyd Curl Drive (where we hold the EXPO). See map on back of each month’s flier for exact location.

Saturday, October 11

Triple-Header Program: “Talk Now…A New Way to Read” by Dr. Melvyn Bernstein, M.D., M.S., J.D. from the UT Health Science Center, who also will answer questions regarding eye problems.

“A Multi-Discipline Approach to Low Vision Rehabilitation” by Dr. Sandra Fox, O.D. who was such a hit at last year’s medical forum.

Presentations will be followed by a tour of the new Lions Low Vision Center in the Allied Health Building. Those waiting to tour the facility will have a chance to discuss “Items to Help Maintain Independence” with Bob Hobson until their turn to tour arrives.

Saturday, November 15

“Why Elephants Don’t Get Headaches and Care Partners Do”-a special program by Leslie Hoy. You and your family members are all care partners. Learn a variety of tips for making the most of that relationship from the author of the book “TLC for Caregivers”, published by the Low Vision Club.

Saturday, December 6

The club’s annual Christmas luncheon with special entertainment and traditional Christmas goodies. Reservations and advance payment before deadline will once again be required, so watch for the announcement flier in your mail in November.

Grants and Donations

Since our last newsletter, the Low Vision Club has received new grants from the Marcia and Otto Koehler Foundation and the Amy Shelton McNutt Charitable Trust to help provide equipment for expanded local programming of our Radio Reading Service.

The club also received donations for operating expenses from Mary Sikes, Edwin Setterfield, The Guy Alexander Trust, George and Annabel Mohr, Lucy Simmons and Barbara Scribner. Bonnie Truax contributed a memorial donation in honor of Nolan Underwood, longtime member from Kerrville, who served the club as both an adviser and speaker. If you wish to help the club with a contribution, please mail your check to the Low Vision Club at 11510 Sandman Drive, San Antonio, TX 78216.

Fund Raising Committee Being Formed

Your Low Vision Club has a constant need for funds to operate our various projects and programs. Therefore, we are organizing a Fund Raising Committee to undertake letter writing campaigns, apply for charitable grants, and to conduct special fund raising events. If you would like to volunteer to work on this committee, please call Club President Bonnie Truax at 344-1479. We need your help!

If you want to walk for exercise….

And enjoy some close companionship, you may want to join the North Star Mall Walkers. They meet every Thursday morning at 8 a.m. in

Luby’s Cafeteria at North Star Mall. No need to register in advance and no dues. (But if you want an orange juice, coffee and a roll, you need to pay $3.) Most members walk between 7 and 8 a.m. before breakfast. The only mall entrance open at that time is on the south side by the parking garage and the VIA bus stop. For more information, call Ed Dylla at 223-2197.

Please Notify Us If You Move or Change Telephones

Every month the post office returns a number of LVC meeting fliers from people who have moved. Also our callers can’t find people who have changed telephone numbers. We need to keep our records up to date, so please call Bonnie Truax at 344-1479 when changes occur either in your address or telephone number. Thanks.

A Message from LVC Member Kim Van Hooser

Are you interested in a RP support group? Do you need to discuss issues such as child rearing, transportation ideas, parenting, coping with or explaining Retinitis Pigmentosa?

If you feel that you would benefit from a San Antonio RP support group, please call Kim Van Hooser at 210-262-3079. You may email me at kimvanhooser@earthlink.net.  This group will service ALL persons with degenerative retinal diseases.

Our mission is to provide visually impaired persons with support, understanding, and guidance in an environment that will assist us with the challenges of retinal vision loss.

LVC Covers the Health Fairs

Thanks to Bob Hobson, Teri Casarez, Yolanda Aguirre, Adela Aguilar and others, the LVC has a table at most Health Fairs to talk about the mission and activities of the Low Vision Club. Fairs scheduled for this month are Oct. 4 at “AccessFest 2003” at the Alamo Area Accessibility Partnership, 1218 E. Euclid, and Oct. 26 at the “Retiree Appreciation Day” in Building 2841 at Fort Sam Houston.

E.A.R.S. for Eyes

Hunting & Fishing Licenses for the Disabled

Texas provides special hunting and fishing licenses for Texas residents who are disabled. Any legally blind resident can obtain a special fishing-only license for $6. Disabled veterans qualify for a free combination hunting and fishing license, but are required to purchase the necessary stamps. For further information, call the state’s License Section at 1-800-895-4248, Option 2.

LVC Items & Tapes

Don’t forget the LVC has many helpful items in the lobby of the Allied Health Building at our monthly meetings. Copies of “TLC for the Caregiver” book, and a limited number of the third edition of the club’s “Resource Guide” are available in return for donations.

Cindy Garcia, our club’s volunteer information resource specialist, has on hand a number of free items such as brochures, catalogs, and other helpful information. Stop by her tables near the entrance.

Our Library of Taped Books has been cataloged by club member Ed Brown. We have some 78 books which play on regular cassettes. Stop by his table and he will go over the list with you. Also contact him if you want copies of this newsletter on cassette tape rather than print.