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ASB Visions Newsletter |
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June 2002:
Volunteers honored for bringing harmony to all The theme of this year's luncheon, which was held at the Holiday Inn, Independence Mall, was Volunteers Bring Harmony to All. In her opening remarks, ASB's Chief Executive Officer, Patricia C. Johnson, spoke of the importance of volunteers to the agency. "I want each of you to know that you bring harmony to the lives of the many blind and visually impaired people who count on your support," she said. Volunteers dedicate approximately 33,000 hours of service each year to the agency. Keynote speaker and Philadelphia Inquirer Columnist, Lucia Herndon, praised ASB volunteers for all they do. "The lives of the blind and visually impaired are being rebuilt by the people who donate countless hours to the service of others," Herndon said. William Flannagan, Nancy McCahan and Norma Schwartz were honored for dedicating twenty-five years of service to ASB. Former ASB client Anna Marie Huhn spoke about how volunteers have had a positive impact on her life. "Volunteers help people to be their best," she said. The luncheon concluded with the raffling off of door prizes, donated by area businesses. Save the Date! Wednesday, October 23, 2002 program includes Honorary Chairman ~ John Timoney
Do you know what eye doctor you are seeing? Ophthalmologists are medical doctors who have done residencies in ophthalmology. They are licensed to give exams during which they routinely check for signs of eye disease by using dilating drops to carefully inspect the inside of the eye. Some specialize in specific eye conditions, such as glaucoma or cataracts, and perform surgery when needed. Optometrists are independent primary health care providers who examine, diagnose, treat and manage diseases and disorders of the visual system, the eye and associated structures as well as diagnose related systemic conditions. As primary eye care providers, optometrists are an integral part of the health care team and an entry point into the health care system. They are skilled in the co-management of care that affects the eye health and vision of their patients and an excellent source of referral to other health care professionals. Opticians make corrective lenses and fit them into eyeglass frames, and they can help you select the best frames and give you information on bifocals. They also repair eyeglasses, and many can fill prescriptions for contact lenses. However, they're not trained to diagnose eye problems or prescribe medication. Reprinted with the permission of Lions Eye Foundation of California-Nevada, Inc.
Symbolic sculpture unveiled at volunteer luncheon The sculpture, titled Reach for the Stars, was created by local artist Carol B. Saylor, and depicts a man helping a woman jump to reach the stars. The Volunteer Committee was looking for an additional way to honor the dedicated service of volunteers and decided to present a work of art at the volunteer luncheon. They commissioned a blind artist to create this piece of art that symbolizes volunteerism. Saylor came up with the concept for Reach for the Stars after toying with several different ideas. The sculpture is based on giving and receiving help, something that is very important to her. Recent tragic events in her life have made her graciously accept numerous offers of help that have come her way. "Receiving help is a lot harder than giving help," Saylor said. She said that blindness has taught her to accept help when it is offered. The sculpture is a constant reminder of the help that volunteers give everyday to ASB. Saylor usually works with clay, but because of the shape of the sculpture, she needed something sturdier so she used a special type of papier-mâché. Reach for the Stars is on permanent display in the fifth floor reception area.
Is your gift tax deductible? Always be sure the charity receiving the gift is a non-profit organization meeting IRS regulations. If purchasing a ticket to a charitable event, be sure to deduct only the amount of the gift remaining after the value of goods and services has been subtracted. And keep that acknowledgment letter or receipt for any gift of $250 or over - the IRS will require a copy for your tax return. These are just some of the limitations for charitable tax deductions. With forethought and planning, both you and your charities can reap the benefits! For more detailed information, please contact the IRS or other legal consultation. For information on the different ways you can make a gift to ASB, contact Lane J. Liebman, Director of Fundraising, Marketing & Volunteer Services, at 215-627-0600, ext. 3239.
Employees' guide dogs honored Ben, Georgia, Sydney and Ilene all provide an invaluable service to blind employees of ASB by giving them the gift of mobility and independence. The guide dogs were presented with Milkbones and other goodies by ASB's Chief Executive Officer, Patricia C. Johnson. "This is a wonderful occasion to recognize the hard work of all guide dogs," Johnson said. Patti Lariccia said having her guide dog Ben makes it easier for her to get around. "With a guide dog I can walk faster and with more confidence," she said.
Visual impairment viewed as just another challenge R.P. is a progressive degeneration of the retina that affects night vision and peripheral vision. As it progresses, it can lead to blindness. In 1990 Sandra was diagnosed with R.P. Since then her vision has slowly deteriorated. Two years ago, it took a turn for the worse and now she has very limited vision. Around that same time, she was uncertain about her professional future because of a reorganization at her company. She became very depressed about the possibility of having to look for a new job. "I knew because of my vision, it would be hard to sell myself," she said. At the suggestion of her doctor, Sandra entered ASB's Personal Adjustment to Blindness Training (PABT) in November 2001. In this training she would learn the skills she would need to live independently without vision. She learned how to use a cane, to safely maneuver around her kitchen, and to use adaptive aids. A sewer, threading a needle had become increasingly difficult for Sandra. She said she couldn't believe it when her instructor showed her a self-threading needle. "I was so excited I almost touched the ceiling," she said. Sandra has the same enthusiasm for speech synthesizers on the computer. With these programs, the computer speaks what is on the computer screen. "Now I can read what I've typed and the speech commands help me know what I am doing," she said. Sandra graduated from PABT in April and now relishes the thought of looking for a new job. With the skills she has learned, she knows she will be able to sell herself. She's even considered changing careers. "I'm up for a challenge and would like to explore new areas," she said. Sandra's training at ASB has given her the tools she needs to function independently, but more importantly, it has restored her confidence.
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| Copyright 1995-2003. All rights reserved. Associated Services for the Blind, 919 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107 Phone: (215) 627-0600 | Fax: (215) 922-0692 |
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