Starting Our 10th Year!

Last year was a fantastic year of growth for the Low Vision Club and our major project —Owl Radio—“Reading for Those Who Can Not See.”  And here we are ready to begin our tenth year with new plans, new activities, and a new organizational structure.

Saturday, January 21, 2006
Our first meeting will be on this date and is our annual organizational meeting.  You’ll meet members of our new Board of Directors and our new Advisory Council.  You also will hear presentations from members who represent agencies and low vision clinics about services they provide.  Here’s your chance to find out where to go for whatever it is you need.  Come prepared to participate.  We’ll be meeting at our regular spot at the Children’s Cancer Research Institute, 8403 Floyd Curl Drive.

Saturday, February 15, 2006
This month's program covers how you can still have a good life despite having a vision problem.  The program, "Living Well with Low Vision," begins at 10 a.m. and will be moderated by Leslie Hoy.  Join us for social time with refreshments before the program from 9:30 - 10 a.m.

Saturday, March 11, 2006
One week earlier than usual… EXPO 2006… one of the most important events of the year.  It will be held throughout the first floor of our regular meeting place at the Children’s Cancer Research Institute, 8403 Floyd Curl Drive.  The event is coordinated by the staff at the UTHSCSA Department of Ophthalmology.

This will be our eighth annual Low Vision EXPO providing you with an opportunity to see the latest in low vision aids and explore community resources.  Hours will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.  The general public also will be invited to attend.  For more information call 210-344-1479.

Vendors will display all types of low vision aids including magnifiers, closed circuit TV’s, and computers that speak to you.  The equipment will be available for a “hands on” experience.  Agencies dealing with visually impaired people also will have representatives there to answer questions.  If you can only make one meeting this year, this is IT… and it’s FREE!

Help Choose Our Future Programs
If you would like to help in selecting future programs for the club, please write Bonnie Truax, club president, at 11510 Sandman, San Antonio, TX 78216.  Let her know what programs or types of programs would be most beneficial for you.  All programs are intended to be educational and helpful to LVC members.  Here is your opportunity to participate in their selection.

Craft Class Reorganizing

LVC Member Ed Brown is reviving the LVC craft class.  If you are interested in joining the group, call him on his cell phone at 859-2301 for information on possible craft class dates and times.

Like to Volunteer?

LVC Board and Advisory Council member Dallas Fees has agreed to assume responsibility for all LVC Volunteer Projects.  If you would like to help your club with its activities, call Dallas at 333-2233 to volunteer your services.  We’ll find a project you can enjoy.

LVC Items and Tapes

Don’t forget the LVC has many useful items in the refreshment area of the Children’s Cancer Research Institute at our monthly meetings.  Cindy Garcia and Elia Pardo, our club’s volunteer information resource specialists, have a number of free items on display.  Also club member Ed Brown has cataloged our library of 341 taped books which play on regular cassettes.  Stop by his table and he will go over the list with you.

Owl Radio Moves Up

That was sort of a play on words, but the Owl Radio Reading Service has moved from the fifth floor of North Frost Center, 1250 N.E. Loop 410, to the ninth floor of the same building.  We are now in Suite 905.  (No, we don’t climb the stairs.  There are four elevators to help us on our way.)

Everyone loves our new Owl Radio quarters which are light and spacious.  The move took place shortly before Christmas, but with unexpected problems which knocked local broadcasting off the air for a time.

Our daily readings from the San Antonio Express-News and other local programs are conveyed via a special telephone line to Radio Station KTSX which then rebroadcasts them on a dedicated sub-channel from their transmitter in Helotes.  Getting that special line and our other telephone lines moved and reconnected in a timely fashion was the problem.  During this period, listeners continued receiving national programs from our satellite service in New York.  But when the time arrived for local programs, nothing or perhaps a little static, filled the air.  Normal broadcasts resumed New Year’s Day.

Making the Most of Life

The Fall, 2005 issue of “In Focus” newsletter published by The Foundation Fighting Blindness contained a wonderful essay by Benn W. Jesser on how he is coping with macular degeneration at age 90.  Here are a few selected items.

“While many people are shy about their infirmities, I believe that one should discuss their legal blindness with reckless abandon. The more people know that you are legally blind, the easier it is for you to get along — it saves both parties much embarrassment.”

“During a casual meeting on the street or at a social or business function, the other party cannot tell that we can’t recognize them.  So it’s important to let people know about your blindness.  It makes life a whole lot easier.”

Item for Sale

New Merlin 14-inch color CCTV from Enhanced Vision.  Never used.  Will sell for $1,400 which is $600 less than it cost new.  Call Robert E. Fawcett, Jr. at 822-1061.

Annual Fundraising Drive

This is the time of year when we conduct our annual fundraising drive for both the Low Vision Club and Owl Radio.  All of you should have received a special letter requesting a donation along with a return envelope addressed back to the club.  Thanks to the many who have already replied.  If you have forgotten, this is your reminder.  Working together, we can accomplish many wonderful things.