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ASB Visions Newsletter |
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March 2002:
ASB gardener lights up with Olympic Torch Linsky, 54, who lost most of his sight when he was 35 because of a degenerative eye condition, was selected out of thousands of entries to be one of the 70 torch bearers for the Olympic Torch Relay in the Tri-State Area. Individuals selected to carry the torch were characterized as caring about their communities and embodying the Olympic spirit. These characteristics sum up Linsky. For the past ten years he has been an integral member of Associated Services for the Blind's Garden Program. ASB's Community Garden is a 900 square foot site maintained by blind and visually impaired gardeners. Peggy Garrett, who oversees the program, said that Linsky is a dedicated member of the group and helps out a lot with all of the heavy lifting. "I don't know what I would do without him," she said. Linsky has also been raising seeing eye puppies since 1992. All seven of his puppies have been placed with a blind or visually impaired person, an astonishing statistic. Torch bearers were nominated by friends or family, who had 100 words to describe why their nominee was worthy of this honor. Judges included officials from the City of Philadelphia, Coca-Cola and Chevrolet. Linsky carried the torch down 3rd Street, from Spruce to Walnut. He said he tried to go as slow as he could to make the moment last. With family and friends running beside him he said, "I felt like I was floating."
CEO Named to Advisory Board
Matching Gift Program Associated Services for the Blind may be on your employer's list. Most employers match gifts on a dollar-for-dollar basis, but some match 2 to 1 or even 3 to 1. Many employers also match the gifts of their retired employees. To learn more about your company's policy, check with your human resources director. If your company does not have ASB listed in their matching gift program, we would be glad to send them an informational packet for review. For additional information, contact our Development Department at 215-627-0600, ext. 3236.
Braille awareness is focus during month of January January is designated as Braille Literacy Month since Louis Braille, who invented braille, was born on January 4, 1809. In an effort to educate the public on the development and production of braille, ASB holds an annual open house of their Braille Division during Braille Literacy Week. Second grade students from Germantown Friends, who are learning about Louis Braille in the classroom, got to see the brailling process step-by-step through demonstrations and a detailed tour. Students observed the brailling of popular magazines, as well as student textbooks, from the first transcriptions done on the computer to the binding of the final product. ASB's Braille Division also brailles menus, prescription bottles, bank statements and music. Other visitors during Braille Literacy Week included students from local colleges and employees from the Philadelphia Museum of Art, who wanted to see the transcription of illustrations and diagrams. "Both children and adults really enjoy learning more about braille," said Patricia C. Johnson, ASB's Chief Executive Officer. "It is a method of communication that not many people are familiar with."
ASB looks for pot of gold at Swarthmore Fun Fair The Fun Fair is a non-profit carnival where agencies like ASB create fun and exciting games to raise funds for their organization. The overall theme for the event is Fantasies & Legends. SB has chosen Over the Rainbow as their title theme. ASB will host games such as the Milk Bottle Toss and Guess What's in the Cauldron, where blindfolded contestants will have to dig through a cauldron full of dried rice, then locate and identify everyday items. The Perkins Brailler, a manual braille writer equivalent to a typewriter, will also be on display at the booth. Visitors can see how the device works by having their names brailled on an ASB bookmark. Good with numbers? Try guessing how many jellybeans are in the jar, and you could win one of many exciting prizes. ASB will provide literature on the various resources for blind and visually impaired people available through the agency. All proceeds from the event will directly benefit the clients ASB serves to improve their quality of life.
Vision loss does not slow down busy wife and mother Losing her vision has changed Jones' life, but it has not stopped it. As a wife and mother of an eleven year old daughter, she has a lot of responsibilities. "I am still mom," she said, "and still cook, clean and do the ironing." Her training at ASB has enabled her to do these things and more -- with confidence. In September 2001, Jones began ASB's Personal Adjustment to Blindness Training (PABT). In this program she receives training in skills needed to function independently at home, at work and in the community. Jones said that her training at ASB has helped her a lot in feeling more independent. "Before ASB, I wasn't able to travel alone with confidence and comfort." One of her greatest achievements has been learning braille. She said that one thing she missed after losing her vision was not being able to read to her daughter. Now that she is learning braille, that has changed. "ASB has opened a lot of doors and showed me that I can still make it with visual impairments," she said. Jones, who will graduate from PABT in March 2002, said she is grateful to have had the opportunity to live in both the sighted and non-sighted world. She continues to work as a beautician, specializing in braiding. Jokingly she said, "I used to say I could braid with my eyes closed...Now, I do!"
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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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