Vehicles Available Now!
Call Russ for information at 659-5360.
Dr. Feel Good, Steve Kane, reminds people to contact him at 375-6677 if there is anything you’re interested in attending. Be it a play, concert, or sporting event.
President Sylvia Gardner organized a beautiful luncheon to honor BVIC Volunteers. The enjoyable event was held at Tarpy’s and was sponsored by the Old Capitol Lions Club (we are grateful to our fantastic supporters). Cheri, Jeannie & our staff thank all our super volunteers for making a difference in the lives of others. We applaud them all for sharing their caring hearts, precious time, and wonderful talents. Pat Smith and Albertine Potter were deservingly selected as Volunteers of the Year. Dr. Diana Case, PhD., was also recognized for her 10 years of service to the BVIC Support Group.
There really is a Butterfly House in Pacific Grove (Butterfly Town USA). The house has a special meaning for Sonja and J Jackson who have lived there for 31 years. When Sonja’s RP (retinitis pigmentosa) began to dramatically progress, J wanted to help in some way, but what could he do? Yes, he drove her to appointments, to work (prior to retirement), walked with her, shopped with her, etc. But there had to be something else. One day, on a whim, Sonja asked J to put a little plastic butterfly on the house just to represent the PG spirit. From that little butterfly about ten years ago, the house has become a sanctuary for plastic, metal and now ceramic Monarch butterflies, all with J’s distinctive touch. Because Sonja had completed a Braille course at the BVIC, he decided to outline the butterflies, hearts he painted and other designs with raised Braille-like dots. One of the most treasured areas of their home is the Butterfly Brick Road, on which you can visit the Wall of Love. This special wall has hundreds of butterflies that people like you purchase for loved ones with all proceeds going to the BVIC in Monterey County. They have a beautiful website which tells their story, has photos of their home and friends from around the world, articles and letters of thanks and special thoughts of family and friends. Visit www.thebutterflyuniverse.com and feel the joy and, hopefully, you too will want to put a name on a butterfly and come by 309 9th Street, Pacific Grove, CA to visit them for yourself.
Saturday, November 1, 2008, save the date!
The raffle grand prize is an all black cast iron portable BBQ Grill donated by Built In Distributors.
The Phoenix/Crosley Grill PG2001-P-CR is built for Crosley by the Phoenix Grill Company. This unit features flare-up free cooking, easy clean-up, portability, & temperature control in one package! Perfect for grilling, smoking, baking or steaming all in one unit. Tickets are now on sale at the BVIC for only $1.00
VISTA PROGRAM UPDATES
Luis and Manuel Castillo of Soledad are the new recipients for BVIC’s VISTA grant. The brothers, who are blind, use braille as their reading and writing medium.
Luis, the older brothe
r, who just graduated from junior high school, is a very serious student. His mother said he would not go to bed until his assignments were completed, sometimes staying up until midnight. Our VISTA grant awarded him a new computer equipped with JAWS 9.0 (Screen Reader software), a printer, and a BookReader (text-to-speech device). The JAWS software will allow Luis to operate a regular computer and access information like his sighted peers. The BookReader will enable him to read printed material independently.
Manuel is a 13 year old who goes to junior high. He is a music fan who collects CD’s and has good aptitude for technology. He taught himself to use an MP3 player that is very difficult to operate without sight. His mother said he always wanted to have his own computer. Our VISTA grant awarded him a computer system with JAWS 5.0. Manuel can now learn keyboarding and other computer skills necessary for his academic success. He also received the VictorReader Stream, a portable player that is designed for the visually impaired. The VictorReader will allow him to play talking books and music. He is also very eager to learn how to download music from the Internet.
The VISTA grant will continue to help visually impaired students like Luis and Manuel. There are more than 10 students waiting for next year’s grant. Please continue to donate to this worthwhile program.
Laundry Tips
.To remove spots from clothes use BIZ. You can buy it at Wal-Mart and Target.
Procedure: put clothes in washer, add Biz and fill tub with water, then shut off or use the pre-soak option, and let sit for ½ to 1 hour. Then start the washer and add detergent and finish the cycle. This will take out most stains. I know it takes out ink, grass and blood. It even takes out pre-set stains. For very difficult stains, let it sit a little longer. This also works for hand wash. Fill the sink with water and Biz and let sit for a while and then hand wash.
Ironing: the best tip is to hang up the clothes immediately as the dryer stops, this eliminates the need for ironing. However, this is not always possible, so my second tip is the product DOWNY WRINKLE RELEASER. It is an easy spray that reduces wrinkles without the hassle of ironing. Simply spray, then tug or smooth out the wrinkles. You can even use it on dry-clean-only clothes.
For other suggestions or easy tips call Robin.
Meetings are held the 1st Wednesday of the month. Join us at the BVIC, 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Does Using a White Cane Make Me More Vulnerable to Muggers?
This is a reasonable question in our current world of criminal activities. Any pedestrian who is seen as potentially more vulnerable than others could be a target of mugging. Yet, we cannot allow all potential dangers in this world to imprison us. Cane travelers and dog-guide users can take steps to become less vulnerable
The usual sensible precautions are suggested. These may include things such as don’t walk alone in deserted areas; walk with purpose rather than wandering aimlessly; take a self-defense course that gives one practice in reacting to different “what if” scenarios; carry a cell phone if you can; be ready to yell “fire!” or “NO!” instead of “Help!” carry a noise-maker, go inside a bank to do your business rather than at an ATM; and count your money at the clerk’s window or inside a bathroom stall rather than where people can see you.
As an Orientation and Mobility instructor, I hate to see people staying inside out of fear. If O&M instruction can help people overcome fears of falling and of crossing streets, why can’t the fear of being mugged also be dealt with? My suggestion is to carry a noisemaker called a Screecher that makes an ungodly high-pitched sound when pressed. It is not a car alarm sound that most people would ignore. It is a sound that is piercing and startling; enough to catch public attention and possibly scare away would-be attacker. We have a few Screechers at the BVIC and more can be ordered. The device is small, easy to carry in a pocket or purse, and easy to use. I would encourage anyone who is curious and would like a demonstration to give me (Rena) a call at the BVIC. I will be happy to schedule time to demonstrate it to you.
Much of staying safe and oriented in this sometimes overwhelming and confusing world is learning to keep one’s wits about one in unexpected and unnerving situations. This is a major tenet of Orientation and Mobility instruction. A beautiful example of keeping one’s cool in a stressful situation is the case of one Cleveland, Ohio woman who had to decide what to do when, on a crowded sidewalk, a mugger pressed a weapon against her side. He was walking so close to her that no one around them could see it or realize they were not together. She began singing the Star Spangled Banner at the top of her lungs. Everyone turned to stare, and the mugger fled.
Maya Cairus and Cody Burns, Seaside High students, were referred to our VISTA program by Cath Tendler-Valencia, their Teacher of the Visually Impaired. Maya & Cody’s friends visited the BVIC and presented Jeannie (Program Director) with a donation of $210 earned to help purchase equipment for their fellow students. Andrew Juinio, Vincent Finona, and Raymond Reyes said they raised the funds by selling Spam Misubi (a finger food made of rice balls and Spam wrapped in seaweed), tutoring, and mowing lawns. Jalane Lopez, Ester Kong, and Jennifer Udondo also helped with the project. These exceptional students were inspired to do something for their friends and said it feels good when you are helping others. Their goal is to raise $600 for Cody & Maya’s assistive technology. The group of Seaside High Spartans call themselves SPAM (Spartans Participating And Making a Difference). We can all learn a lesson from these motivated, caring youths.
My name is Jacquie Johnson and I am the new Social Services Case Manager at the BVIC. I have been a resident of Pacific Grove since 1979 and have worked as an occupational therapist and teacher in Monterey County for the past 25 years. My areas of interest and specialty are mental health and gerontology, and my previous employers include CHOMP, Monterey and Salinas Adult Schools, and Monterey County Behavioral Health. Two years ago I decided to take a break from full time teaching and therapy to pursue other endeavors. But I eventually found that I missed the challenges and rewards of working in human services. I have always enjoyed advocating for clients/students, helping them access resources and services, and more importantly, helping them identify and use their existing/remaining skills and strengths - despite their disability. When I learned of the opportunity at the BVIC, I thought it sounded like the perfect fit for me. It has been a refreshing change of pace to work for a nonprofit close to home, and even more exciting, to work with such a talented, dedicated staff. Although I still have much to learn about visual impairments and how they impact those affected, I am grateful to the patient and knowledgeable staff for their ongoing orientation and training. I look forward to becoming a valuable member of their impressive team.
My name is Shirley Doolittle. I was born in Olean, in southwestern New York, and lived in Jamestown, New York until moving to the Monterey Peninsula in 1963. I have been living in Seaside since 1975, for the last three years with my two cats, who can be just as bothersome as babies.
I am a widow with three children. Steve and Cheri reside near me in Seaside. My youngest daughter, Sandi, is living in Oregon with her husband and son, Will. Steve has a daughter, Natasha (who has a son named Justin) and Cheri has a son, Nathan. I am retired from secretarial work and now volunteer my time at Hospice Foundation of the Central Coast when called upon, and The Blind & Visually Impaired Center of Monterey County, usually every Tuesday and Friday. I am currently Vice-President of the BVIC Board of Directors and one of my jobs there is as Volunteer Coordinator.
My greatest hobbies are reading (mostly fiction mystery novels) and Braille transcribing. I was certificated by the Library of Congress in June of 1969 and have been doing Braille transcription ever since. I am a member of the Monterey County Braille Transcribers, Inc. If you know of anyone who needs material in Braille, I am the contact person at the BVIC. I am also a member of the Monterey Old Capitol Lions Club, the American Legion Auxiliary and affiliations, and the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
I don’t remember how long I have been a member of the BVIC, but I do know it has been a long time and I enjoy my association with the Center.Must be honest, reliable, and a good communicator. Responsibilities include:
FREE!
A lifetime pass for U.S. citizens or permanent residents with permanent disabilities. Acceptable documentation includes: statement by a licensed physician; document issued by a federal agency such as the Veteran’s Administration, Social Security Disability Income or Supplemental Security Income; or document issued by a state agency such as a vocational rehabilitation agency. The pass provides access to, and use of, federal recreation sites that charge an Entrance or Standard Amenity. The pass admits the pass holder and passengers in a non-commercial vehicle at per vehicle fee areas and pass holder + 3 adults, not to exceed 4 adults, at per person fee areas (children under 16 are admitted free). The pass can only be obtained in person at the park. The Access Pass provides a 50 percent discount on some Expanded Amenity Fees charged for facilities and services such as camping, swimming, boat launching, and specialized interpretive services. In some cases where Expanded Amenity Fees are charged, only the pass holder will be given the 50 percent price reduction. The pass is non-transferable and generally does NOT cover or reduce special recreation permit fees or fees charged by concessionaires.
(The following was reprinted with permission from Prevent Blindness Northern California, Coping with Sight Loss In Northern California, Ninth Edition)
Macular Degeneration
Macular degeneration is a deterioration of the macula, the central part of the retina that enables you to read and see straight ahead (central vision). The cause is unknown. Although macular degeneration can occur in children and young adults, it is more common in older persons. Fortunately, macular degeneration does not affect peripheral vision, and thus a person with macular degeneration does not face total blindness.If you have macular degeneration, you are usually able to move about unaided, but may find reading, close work, or distinguishing distant objects
difficult or even impossible. At present there is treatment for macular degeneration. For instance, vision may be improved with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor antibody injection into the eyes. Many persons with macular degeneration are aided in reading and seeing at a distance by special magnifying lenses and telescopic devices. You can test yourself for possible signs of macular degeneration with an Amsler Grid
test. To obtain a free copy, please contact us [Prevent Blindness Northern California,
(800) 338-3041 (northern CA),
Email: SavingSight@eyeinfo.org]
.
This is how an Amsler Grid may look if you are experiencing Macular Degeneration.
As costs for printing and mailing the Blindfold continue to rise, there is a simple way to help the BVIC and the Environment. Get your copy of the Blindfold by email instead of “snail mail”. Just email vision@blindandlowvision.org and put Blindfold in the subject line. You can also visit our web site at www.blindandlowvision.org and click Newsletters.