On the move…again!

During the almost 11-year history of the San Antonio Low Vision Club, we have never missed a monthly meeting, although they have been held in five different locations.  (We also have used three other sites for social functions or EXPO.)

We began our club meetings at the Texas Commission for the Blind in early 1997, then became sponsored by the Department of Ophthalmology at UTSA Health Science Center, and have met in one of the buildings on their campus at the medical center ever since.

For the immediate future, we are returning to the Allied Health Building (same address 8403 Floyd Curl Drive).  Our next meeting on Saturday, November 17, will feature Larry Belote and Bob Kozel of the Veterans Administration VIST Team reporting on how the VA is coping with challenges brought on by the war in Iraq.

Our annual Holiday Luncheon on Saturday, December 8, also will be held at the Allied Health Building.  A traditional Christmas dinner will be served between 12 and 1 p.m. in the student lounge.  Cost is $6 per plate, payable in cash at the November 17th meeting, or by check payable to the Low Vision Club and mailed to Dana Schilling, 9642 Sandie, Helotes, TX 78023.  Mailed checks must arrive by November 30 with a list of persons who will be there so we can enter them in the drawing for door prizes.  (Must be present to win).  There also will be entertainment and a super opportunity to visit with fellow members.

LVC Meetings in 2008

To assist in planning for 2008, mark your calendars now for LVC meetings on January 19 and February 16.  Also plan on another fabulous EXPO on Saturday, March 8, in the gymnasium at Colonial Hills United Methodist Church on Vance Jackson.

White Cane Day 5K Run

More than 200 people participated in our newest activity (which also included a 1-mile walk) on Saturday, October 20th in San Antonio’s newest park, located between Stone Oak and Evans Road.

The event was staged and coordinated by LVC member Kim Van Hooser.  Thanks in large part to the efforts of LVC member Cynthia Garcia, over 50 people volunteered their time to assist on race day to make the event a success.  And were they ever needed!

At the last minute, the race route had to be changed because of unexpected construction destroying about a quarter of the area approved in advance by the city for the race.  The area was not accessible to anyone, let alone by people who had little or no vision.

Our visually impaired runners may not have been able to “see” the support given by many sponsors, but they could feel the energy of the crowd that was there to support them.  They also demonstrated to the public the abilities of visually impaired people to perform in a normal fashion.

The Low Vision Club received some excellent publicity from the event (which was our main objective), but it also was successful financially.  Consequently, Kim is already making plans for another run in 2008 scheduled for Saturday morning, October 11.

Don’t Forget the New Arts & Crafts Group

This fun activity is now being conducted the 4th Saturday of each month from 10 a.m. to noon at Warm Springs Resource Center, 5101 Medical Drive.  Sign on now by calling LVC Coordinator Cindy Garcia at (210) 287-9039 for a reservation.  Reports from the meetings say they are a “ball.”

Jobs Available at the SA Lighthouse

The San Antonio Lighthouse for the Blind has recently received a large Navy contract to make fleece jackets, and is looking for legally-blind individuals who have sewing experience or who can be trained to do so.  Job assessment and training will be provided by Lighthouse.  The jobs are competitively compensated and include excellent benefit packages.

We Need Your Help!

Once each year we send LCV members a letter soliciting their financial support.  We also contact various other groups for the same purpose.  If you haven’t yet, you will be receiving such a letter in the coming weeks.  Many members already have sent in their checks.

As you know, we are a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.  We do not charge dues or sell anything.  We exist by your generous tax-deductible contributions and the annual donations of others.

We hope you will give serious consideration to your gift or gifts this year.  We are at a crucial point in our development, serving over 950 members of the Low Vision Club, and over 1,000 listeners to our Owl Radio broadcasts on a sub-channel of Texas Public Radio via a special, dedicated radio provided free of charge to eligible applicants.

Thanks in advance for your help.

“Sharing Solutions” — A Great Newsletter

If you are not familiar with “Sharing Solutions” newsletter, published quarterly by Lighthouse International in New York, you are missing out on one of the finest newsletters published for people with impaired vision and their support networks.  It is edited by Carol J. Sussman-Skalka, one of the most helpful and cooperative persons you’ll ever know.

In the Spring, 2007 issue, “Sharing Solutions” presents an article by Dr. Richard Spaide on “New Treatments for Wet AMD.”  Dr. Spaide is an ophthalmologist with Vitreous Retina Macula Consultants of N.Y. and is affiliated with the Manhattan Eye, Ear, and Throat Hospital.  The article is lengthy and thorough.  The newsletter is available for downloading online at www.lighthouse.org/aboutus/newsletters/.  It is produced in large print, Braille, and on audio cassette.

Lighthouse International also has updated its brochure entitled “All About Low Vision” which offers an overview of the most common causes of vision loss, and how vision rehabilitation services can help.  To order call (212) 821-9566 or e-mail kcheng@lighthouse.org.

The Bible in Braille

The Low Vision Club recently received a donation of a Braille recorded version of The Bible.  It comes in about 20 large folders which are now residing in my garage at 11510 Sandman (in Harmony Hills near Blanco & West). The Braille sheets are available FREE to any interested club member willing to pick them up.  Please give me a call at 344-1479 first to make sure I’m home.

eBay Registration

The LVC club has registered with eBay, so items can be put up for sale with profits designated to a registered non-profit organization.  Just tell eBay to send the check to the Low Vision Resource Center.

Please notify us if you move or change telephone numbers by calling 344-1479.