GOING HOME

I left eight days ago to return to my parents home to help them move and honor my mother as she retired from playing the organ at her church for the past 67 years. It was wonderful to see old family friends and cousins at her reception. I flew by myself for the first time with my cane. The airport was very helpful except for the full body scan in Memphis. I stepped into the booth but couldn't see the blue squares they wanted me to stand on. The attendant wasn't very nice. We helped pack up their home. I few things I learn is to keep thing organized as they have tried to do. The treasures I found were my first eyeglass case, my hand print mold from age 2 and the ticket stub from Disney Land at age 8. Years ago my mother gave me all the eyeglass from my youth. Some were thrown away because the plastic dry-rotted. Helping them pack got me in the mood to declutter my house. I worked on the kitchen today. For someone with low vision it's important to be organized. I returned home and my talking scale only said 'ha' instead of hello. My sister asked was it laughing at me. I couldn't find a 9 volt battery so I went to buy one. Later today I looked on my desk upstairs and save three i a bag on my desk. These were from the night we replaced the smoke alarms. It pays to be organized.

FLYING SOLO AGAIN

I'm packed to fly to Memphis tomorrow. I had everything pack and zipped my duffel bag and saw a 4 inch tear along the top of the flap. This was my son's duffel from our Italy trip. Oh well I can be used for car trips now. I repacked my things into a large suitcase. This will be my first solo trip with my new cane. I was cane trained about three months ago. When I fly I have to change planes and the airline is very helpful getting me to my next flight. For the pass four years I've flown about twice a year by myself. The first time I flew the attendant driving the cart asked if I could walk so she dropped my off and the entrance to the terminal. I had to find my gate by asking for help. The next time I made sure they took me to the right place. On a flight a few years ago our plane landed at a different gate and I told the attendant I was in a hurry to catch  my flight. I was told to wait a minute then I heard a speaker call out my flight. Thank God it was across the hallway. Most of the time I have to go to a different section. Since I can't drive this is the best way I can see family since we live about ten hours away. 

Gripless EZ ID Folding 4-Section Cane - 46 inches

Item#: 173046

$18.95 From Maxiads

 

• Lightweight
• Compact
• Easy-to-assemble/disemble
• 46 inches in length
• Screw on/off tip makes changing tips easy

This 46 lightweight, fold-apart, four-part cane is a great way to notify others that you are visually impaired. Strong elastic runs down the inside of the cane, allowing for easy and quick folding. All canes are reflective white with a reflective red end. Durable plastic white screw on/off tip at the end and elastic wrist-strap that can be used to hold the folded cane together. Screw on/off tip makes changing tips easy Available in sizes 36 - 60 long.

http://www.maxiaids.com/products/5643/Gripless-EZ-ID-Folding-4-Section-Cane---46-inches.html

U. S. CARS WILL NOT BE SILENT

Since I had the scary experience with walking on a busy road I wanted to post this notice about US cars.

In January, President Obama signed into law the Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act (S. 841). It will help protect people who are blind, as well as other pedestrians, from injury caused by silent vehicle technology. The legislation requires the National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to determine a minimum level of sound that must be emitted by electric and hybrid vehicles to ensure pedestrian safety. New vehicles that employ hybrid or electric engine technology can be nearly silent, causing them to be dangerous in situations where vehicles and pedestrians come into close proximity, according to the National Federation of the Blind.
People who are not blind, such as bicyclists, runners, and small children, will also benefit from hearing approaching vehicles.

For more information: www.nfb.org


Lifeglow

Mar - Apr 2011, Vol. 28, No. 2

FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY

Don't be fooled by a false sense of security like I was yesterday. I few weeks ago I was dropped off at ATT a few times to work out the kinks with my new cell phone. After finishing up I walked to the end of the block to Walgreen's drugstore. We live in a town with busy streets. Most Saturdays there is a wreck on the main drag. Yesterday I finished having a hair cut and thought I would walk to Walgreen's again. This time I was on a different street. Most roads here don't have shoulders for you to walk on. I headed down the road and assured my friend who cuts my hair that I was fine. I had someone drop me off but didn't have a ride home. The road is two lane and very busy. This was a residential street turned commercial. Some of the lots uncut. So I took off and quickly realized this wasn't going to work. Some spots were littered with plastic bottles and trash and others were slopped toward the small ditch. I walked facing traffic with my cane. I was halfway there and waited for traffic to slow down and darted across the street to a Karate Studio which was closed. I called a friend who was picking her child up from school who helps me out from time to time but was at the doctor earlier that day. She came to my rescue - Thank you Rhonda. She later text me to say if I every do that again she would come and beat me. Don't worry I won't be walking the streets again. God has blessed my with sweet friends like Rhonda so this is a lesson to ask for help when you need it.

MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

The Michigan Department of Education has an active group and website. Here's a little information about them.

Welcome to the Michigan Department of Education, Low Incidence Outreach (MDE-LIO). The MDE-LIO provides technical assistance and resources to enable local service providers to serve and improve the quality of education for students with a visual impairment or those who are deaf/hard of hearing including those with multiple impairments.

http://mde-lio.cenmi.org/

MDE Low Incidence Outreach
1505 W. Court Street, Suite 227
Flint, MI 48503-5002
(810) 760-2206
1-888-760-2206 (toll-free)
(810) 760-6949 (fax)
msdb-outreach@michigan.gov

CATARACT FACTS

A number of myths have grown up about cataracts, and CNIB, of Canada, has cleared up some hazy ideas:


Myth: Cataracts grow on top of the eye.
Fact: Cataracts are actually clouding of the eye’s lens.


Myth: After surgery, cataracts grow back.
Fact: They don’t, but sometimes the membrane holding the new lens gets cloudy. This can be corrected with a simple laser procedure.


Myth: Cataract surgery is dangerous:
Fact: It is a common, safe procedure with a 95 percent success rate.


Myth: Cataracts are worsened by eye strain.
Fact: Eye strain has no effect on cataracts.


To prevent or slow the development of
cataracts:
• Don’t smoke.
• Eat lots of fruits and veggies.
• When outside, wear sunglasses.


For more information:
www.cnib.ca/en/your-eyes/eye-conditions


Lifeglow
November - December 2009; Vol. 26, No. 6

Clermont, Florida - Low Vision and Blindness Seminars

Friday, September 16, 2011

New Vision for Independence, a non-profit assisting the visually impaired and blind, will be presenting monthly seminars regarding low vision and blindness. The classes will be held at the National Training Center in Clermont on the first Tuesday of each month. The next scheduled class is October 4th from 2 - 4 pm.

Some of the topics covered will be: Overview of Common Eye Conditions; Basic Anatomy of the Eye; What Do You Do When You Meet a Blind Person; Sighted Guide Techniques; Independent Travel Methods (e.g. white cane, dog guides); Sensory Experiences; Tips for Family and Friends of the Visually Impaired; Dog Guide Interaction; Services available.

The seminars are free and open to the public. If you would like additional information, please call Terry at 352-435-5040.

FAIRHOPE, ALABAMA Upcoming library program addresses vision issues

FAIRHOPE, Ala. — A new educational program for visually impaired computer users will soon begin in Baldwin County. Through the joint efforts of Cheryl Bradley of the Fairhope Public Library, volunteer Anne Hinrichs, AiSquared, Project A.C.T. (Accessible Computer Training) and Dr. Joe Fontenot of Community Services for Vision Rehabilitation (CSVR), the program will help visually impaired computer users.

A new program to improve the computer skills of adults suffering from vision loss will be introduced by Dr. Joe Fontenot (above) on Oct. 12 at the Fairhope Public Library. Staff photo by Curt Chapman.

The program, scheduled to begin next month, will begin with a talk by Fontenot about low vision and the aids and devices available, including computer accessibility features and special computer software. The session will take place on Oct. 12, from 1:15 to 2 p.m., in the Giddens Auditorium at Fairhope Public Library.

Following this introductory talk, there will be a computer workshop on accessibility programs by Hinrichs, who is a volunteer computer instructor for the library. This will be held from 2:30 to 3:30. If you would like to attend the latter session, advance registration is required because space is limited. Email reference@fairhopelibrary.org, or call 251-929-1464.

Fontenot said 15 computer stations at the library are equipped with software designed to help those with vision problems. The new program is a way of introducing new users to the capabilities of the software, both at the library and at home.

“It’s the first (program) of its kind,” he said. “It’s one of the first in the state tied to a public library. This is really going to be nice. With this software, they can continue to use the computer.”

Macular degeneration, cataracts, glaucoma and diabetes can all rob someone of their vision, Fontenot said. He pointed out, “There’s an epidemic of diabetes related to the epidemic of obesity. You can go blind from it.”

According to Fontenot, vision loss in the United States is expected to double by 2040. Right now, he said, “it’s more common than ever.”

The ongoing program will be coordinated with the existing computer education programs at the Fairhope Public Library.

AiSquared, the maker of Zoom Text and other adaptive software, has been supportive of the program, according to a library press release. Software and keyboards were obtained through Project A.C.T., a grant program funded by the Alabama Council for Developmental Disabilities.

New Art Exhibition Highlights Blind And Low-Vision Artists

Wichita, Kansas,
City Arts

Tue, October 04, 2011

KMUW / Fletcher Powell

A new exhibition is on display at Wichita’s City Arts that shows works by blind and low-vision artists. The exhibition, “Through Our Eyes,” runs through October 29.

In recognition of Art Beyond Sight Awareness Month the downtown Wichita gallery has joined with the Envision Foundation to present works by 10 youth artists and seven adult artists with levels of visual impairment ranging from moderate sight loss to complete blindness.

The artists, who collaborated on many of the pieces, produced dozens of tactile paintings, ceramics and sculptures, some of which will be auctioned off partway through the exhibition’s run, and then replaced by more work from the Envision artists.



Marilee Mitchell is the assistant artistic director at City Arts; she says they decided to exhibit the work to demonstrate that the art is essentially indistinguishable from works by artists with full visual abilities.

“We thought that it would be a great opportunity to show people that even if you’re missing one of your senses, you still have a voice and an artistic ability to create,” said Mitchell.

InfantSEE Program

 

Helping Infants to Establish a Lifetime of Healthy Vision

Cooing, sitting up and crawling are signs that a baby is growing. Her vision has stages of development, but this process rarely has visible signs.
Optometrists encourage parents to include a trip to the optometrist on the list of well-baby check-ups. Assessments at six to twelve months of age can determine healthy development of vision. Early detection of eye conditions is the best way to ensure a baby has healthy vision for successful development-now and in the future.
InfantSEE®, a public health program, managed by Optometry's Charity^TM - The AOA Foundation, is designed to ensure that eye and vision care becomes an integral part of infant wellness care to improve a child's quality of life. Under this program, AOA optometrists provide a comprehensive eye and vision assessments for infants within the first year of life regardless of a family's income or access to insurance coverage.



InfantSEE® is a public health program designed to ensure that eye and vision care becomes an integral part of infant wellness care to improve a child's quality of life. Under this program, American Optometric Association (AOA) member optometrists will provide a comprehensive infant eye assessment within the first year of life as a no cost public health service.


For information go to:
http://www.infantsee.org/

PARTNERS FOR SIGHT ORG

This site and a plus and minus sign to make the print large. I think this feature is wonderful so I added it to my blog.


http://www.partnersforsight.org/terminology.shtml

Understanding the Terminology

Low Vision – (previously referred to as ‘partial sight’), is a significant reduction of visual function that cannot be fully corrected by ordinary eyeglasses, contact lenses, medical treatment and/or surgery.
A person with low vision will have some sight but it will be reduced and will usually interfere with everyday activities, such as cooking, reading and writing. If the visual field is reduced, you may have difficulty seeing well enough to walk alone or drive a car.

Vision Rehabilitation – training and therapy that ensures you develop the skills and strategies needed to help you accomplish whatever goals you set for yourself -- in all stages of life -- regardless of your vision.

Why Is Vision Rehab So Important?–The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 161 million people worldwide have vision impairment: Of those, 37 million were blind and 124 million had low vision. This means for every blind person there are 3.4 people with low vision. Without intervention, the number of people who are visually impaired could almost double by the year 2020.
More services will be needed as baby boomers age, people live longer and conditions that cause vision loss such as diabetes affect even the very young. In the future, it’s very likely that you or someone you love may face vision loss due to macular degeneration, glaucoma, diabetes-related eye disease or cataracts.

INDRODUCTION OF THE COMPACT DISC

I thought this was funny. I remember thinking CD's will never take off.  Now I rely on my CD's and MP3 for everything.

This week I traveled back to 1980 to witness the introduction of the CD.  The CD was co-developed by Sony and Philips in 1979.  Both companies had extensive backgrounds in audio technology.  This joint effort was formed out of a necessity for an industry standard when many companies were researching their own formats and standards in compact discs.  A standard disc was needed to unite all recording companies and equipment.  The CD is read by a laser in the drive of the equipment.  The laser converts the series of electronically charged pits into binary code (ones and zeros), then a computer reads it and converts it to sound, for example.  The CD was not immediately successful; it took several years to outsell vinyl records.  Although it took some time to outsell vinyl records, the quality of the sound and the capacity of a CD was much better than anything before it.  The industry standard for writing and producing the CD was introduced by Sony and Philips via five books.  Each of these books covered a different area.  The series included the red, yellow, green, orange, and white books.  The CD became very successful.  It was used in computers and its technology was transferred to DVD format for larger files such as video. Thirty years later and the CD is still the most common physical format for music and computer files.  The CD made it possible for all people to enjoy music in more places.

Primary Source

http://e-articles.info/e/a/title/A-Brief-History-of-CD/

Secondary Source

http://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/electromag/computers/compactdiscs/cd.html

Primary Document

An image that describes how a laser reads a cd

http://scienceblogs.com/principles/2010/02/amazing_laser_application_4_op_1.php

STORING BEDSHEETS

This week I brought out my spring bedsheets. They're white of course. I told two friends today how I store my sheets and they were impressed so I hope you will be too. At one time we had a queen, double and twin beds. Since I like white sheets I mark the tag on the flat and fitted sheet tag with a marker with a capital Q, D or T to denote the size. When I store the sheet I fold the flat and fitted sheet and one pillow case and stack them. Next I slide them inside the second pillow case and fold the end over. Now that we have three queen size beds all the sheets fit any bed. The other tip I have is when we go out of town I take pillows with color pillow cases.because when we were in Arkansas several yours ago my husband left two brand new pillows at the hotel that had white pillow cases on them. We had the pillows picked up by a family member. The next time I was in town I picked them up. Yes I was asked why I had to have them back - I had just bought them and they were expensive pillows. No wonder my husband brought them.