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ASB Visions Newsletter |
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October 2002: Louis Braille Awards recognize the remarkable Honorees include World Trade Center survivor, Michael Hingson and his Guide Dog Roselle, Sovereign Bank, and Dr. Bernadette Kappen, Director of Overbrook School for the Blind. Many heroic stories have emerged from the September 11th tragedy, and among them is the story of Michael Hingson and his Guide Dog "Roselle." Michael, who has been blind since birth, was hosting a meeting of resellers for Quantum ATL on the 78th Floor of the World Trade Center when the hijacked plane struck 18 floors above. Initially, Michael did not know what had happened, but knew that fire had erupted above him. He made sure that all attendees of his meeting made their way safely to the stairwell before he and Roselle started their descent. It was a long and exhausting climb down the stairs, but with Roselle guiding him, Michael made his way safely out of the building. Soon after they emerged, the building collapsed. With chaos around them, they found their way to a subway station and eventually to a friend's house in midtown Manhattan where they remained until train service was restored and they were able to return home to New Jersey. Michael's display of courage, strength and determination on that day make him an inspiration to all. Captain Bill Ryan of the Fire Department of New York City will present Michael with the Individual Louis Braille Award. For their role in helping visually impaired individuals achieve greater independence, Sovereign Bank will receive the Corporate Louis Braille Award. Sovereign Bank provides braille copies of bank statements for their customers. All of their ATM Machines also have braille-numbering, making banking more accessible for blind and visually impaired people. Receiving the Special Recognition Award will be Dr. Bernadette Kappen, Director of Overbrook School for the Blind. Dr. Kappen has been at Overbrook since 1982, and has been the Director for the past eleven years. In that time, some of her accomplishments include developing a strategic plan for the school, developing a management team of key administrators and education program supervisors, and overseeing extensive renovations to the school's facilities. Proceeds from the Louis Braille Awards Ceremony directly benefit clients of ASB. Call (215) 627-0600, ext. 3242 for ticket information.
United Way 2002 Fall Pledge Campaign ASB's programs cover a broad range of services for the region's blind and visually impaired residents including: Radio and Recording, Production and Custom Braille, Gateway Computer Technology Center, Rehabilitation, Latino Outreach, Hands-on Gardening and Specialized Services. By supporting ASB you will become an important part of ASB's success. And of course, your pledge to ASB is 100% tax deductible. The United Way partners with the community to provide essential resources to people in need. Remember, it is donors like you that make it possible for ASB to offer blind and visually impaired people a life of independence and self-sufficiency. So don't forget, ASB's donor option number is 02541. Pledge today!
Clients treated to science lesson United Way's Day of Caring is an annual event that pairs employees from local businesses with non-profit organizations for a day of volunteering. This year, employees of Rohm & Haas partnered with ASB at the Academy. Volunteers served as sighted guides for the clients as they toured through Dinosaur Hall, the Paleo Lab, and Outside In. In Dinosaur Hall, clients read braille descriptions of the exhibit. In the Paleo Lab, they examined real fossils. The Outside In exhibit featured live, touchable animals. This day of community outreach was a great success and a tribute to team spirit.
Hands-on Gardeners flourish at Fall Harvest Show The Fall Harvest Show, sponsored by the Philadelphia Horticultural Society, celebrates the end of the season for community gardens and recognizes their accomplishments. Flowers, plants, fruits and vegetables grown or propagated by community gardeners in the city and surrounding suburbs are judged at the show. Of the nine ribbons won by ASB, five were first place, two second place and three third place. ASB's Gardeners spend two days a week caring for the 900 square foot community garden at Fairmount Park's Horticultural Center. They also maintain the garden throughout the winter, in preparation for spring. On October 27th, the winners of the City Garden Contest will be announced at a ceremony at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. The Hands-on Gardeners will find out if their winning streak continues as they compete in the Small Community Flower Gardens division.
Tips on assisting a blind or visually impaired person Until a blind person knows your voice, identify yourself when you meet, along with anyone else who enters the conversation. When you leave, say so. Everything in between is just normal conversation. Feel free to use the words "look" and "see," but avoid pointing and other visual language. Do not pet or talk to guide dogs while they are working (in harness). It can be distracting. Also, do not pull on a blind person's travel cane. If she requests travel assistance, let her take your arm, just above the elbow, and follow your body movements. If you come to a door, mention how it opens (in or out, left or right). Indicate the direction of stairs (up or down), and if they are wide or narrow. When showing a blind person to a chair, place her hand on the back of the chair. She'll do the rest. When dining out, offer to read the menu, including the prices. Describe the location of the food by using clock numbers as reference points (fish at 12 o'clock, potatoes at 3 o'clock, and so on). Ask if she needs assistance with her food.
Athlete faces off against vision loss, and wins Maria has lived with diabetes since she was a teenager. In 1993, complications of diabetic retinopathy resulted in total blindness. For a period of time, Maria suffered feelings of depression and loneliness. However, her determination and strength led her to programs and services that would give her the tools to live independently without vision. Maria enrolled in ASB's Life Skills Training class, as well as Personal Adjustment to Blindness Training (PABT). Taking advantage of this training was life altering for Maria. "I realized that life wasn't over just because I couldn't see," she said. Maria's involvement with ASB did not stop when she graduated its training programs. She currently participates in ASB's Diabetes and Alumni Support Groups. These groups help her stay connected with other people who are going through similar experiences. This fall, Maria enrolled in ASB's Gateway Computer Technology program to learn how to use adaptive computer equipment. She is taking classes at The Community College, in pursuit of a career in nutrition and fitness. "I need computer training to get a job," she said. "As a blind person, having a computer makes communicating much easier." Losing her vision has not slowed down Maria's athletic pursuits. She is a member of the Philadelphia Rowing Program for the Disabled and the Center for Adaptive Sports. She enjoys rowing, cycling, rock climbing, skiing and weight training. Recently, Maria participated in the Bayada Regatta and took home a first and second place medal in this prestigious rowing competition. Maria Grayson continues to face tough opponents, and continues to win.
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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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