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ASB Visions Newsletter |
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September 2003:
ASB to honor the outstanding on October 22nd Excitement is growing, as Associated Services for the Blind's premiere fundraising event, the Louis Braille Awards Ceremony, quickly approaches. On October 22, 2003, the 44th Annual Louis Braille Awards Ceremony will be held at the Hyatt Regency at Penn's Landing, recognizing the extraordinary. Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell will serve as the Honorary Chairperson. This year's honorees include Carl Augusto, President and Chief Executive Officer of the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB), Verizon Communications, Inc. and Wills Eye Hospital. Mr. Augusto will be honored for his dedication to promoting independence among people who are blind or visually impaired through his leadership at AFB. His advocacy for people with visual impairments has provided numerous opportunities that otherwise would not be possible. Verizon will be honored for its partnership with AFB to produce the National Campaign for Literacy, Textbooks, Transcribers and Technology, a broad-based public awareness and advocacy program that promotes the new career of braille transcriber and ensures that blind and low-vision schoolchildren get their textbooks on time. Wills Eye Hospital, with its world-renowned reputation, will be recognized for its exceptional care for patients with visual disabilities and dedication toward advanced research in ophthalmology. Contact ASB's Public Relations Department at 215-627-0600, ext. 3242, for ticket information. Hands-on gardeners enrich the community ASB's Hands-on gardeners have been very busy this summer, lending a hand to local organizations, including the Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education and Overbrook School for the Blind, to help beautify their grounds. The Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education was interested in a sensory garden in its Butterfly House, so ASB's gardeners went to work and transformed a corner of the Butterfly House into a vibrant sensory garden. Some of the flowers will attract butterflies, while others will bring beauty to the house, which will be used for educational purposes. When they are not out in the community sharing their expertise, ASB's Gardeners spend two days a week caring for a 900 square foot community garden at Fairmount Park's Horticultural Center. How often do you need an eye exam? You can't rely on symptoms to alert you to a potential eye problem, such as cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration. That's why getting regular eye exams is so important for protecting your vision. Several factors may determine how frequently you need an eye exam, including your age, health and risk of developing eye problems. To help you take the best care of your eyes, the American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends the following intervals for adults. If you don't wear glasses or contacts, it's recommended that you have an eye exam: If you wear glasses or contacts, you need to have your eyes checked every year. And if you notice any problems with your vision, schedule an appointment with your eye doctor as soon as possible, even if you recently had an eye exam. RICB celebrates 29 successful years on the air August 19th marked the 29th year that the Radio Information Center for the Blind (RICB) has been bringing newspapers and other materials, including grocery ads, to the homes of people throughout the Delaware Valley who are unable to read it themselves. RICB staff and volunteers celebrated the commemorative day by having an anniversary cake and talking about the evolution of the station over the years. When RICB made its first live broadcast, reading The Philadelphia Inquirer, it had 85 blind listeners. Today more than 3,000 listeners in the tri-state area tune in. Although programming like The Philadelphia Inquirer can still be heard on RICB, new and innovative programs have been added. RICB Perspectives with Eric Herr is one of the newest additions to the schedule. Herr, a professional broadcaster heard on WRTI-FM, WHYY-FM and Metro Traffic, interviews influential members of the community. Interviews can be accessed by visiting ASB's website, at www.asb.org. Other programs include, local and national news, advertisements, magazines, television listings and movies. "RICB is an invaluable resource not only for people who are blind and visually impaired, but also for people who are unable to read print for themselves," said John Corrigan, RICB Manager. "It keeps them on top of current events and helps people feel more independent," he said. For more information on RICB call 215-627-0600, ext. 3206. Appointed to the Board of Directors Francis Grebe, Esq. has resided in the Philadelphia area since 1966. He is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of Rochester and has a J.D. degree from the University of Michigan. He is currently a partner in Davidson Investment Counselors and Executive Vice President of Davidson Trust Company in Devon, PA. Frank is a Director of the Athenaeum of Philadelphia and a Trustee of the Guthrie Healthcare System. He is a Board member and past President of Family Services of Montgomery County and serves on the Board of Surrey Services for Seniors. He is a Trustee of the Meshewa Farm Foundation in Ohio and the Sylvan Foundation. He is also a Director of Penn Treaty America Corporation. He resides in Devon. The United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania is getting ready to start its 2003 Fall Pledge Campaign. That means it's time to designate Associated Services for the Blind #02541 as the agency you wish to support through the United Way's Donor Choice Program. Your support is essential in making a difference in the lives of our clients. Our programs provide services for people who are blind and visually impaired in our region. Please call the United Way Donor Choice Helpline at (215) 665-2598 and ask for a Donor Choice Specific Care Option Form. Thank you for your support! New dreams emerge after vision loss Six years ago, Omar Cervantes came to the United States from Mexico with dreams of a better life filled with more opportunities. Although he still holds on to those aspirations, since losing his vision two years ago, he now dreams of being able to live independently. On December 4, 2001, Omar was living in suburban Philadelphia, when he was shot in his stomach and head by an acquaintance following an altercation. His stomach wound would heal, but the gunshot wound to his head would leave a permanent scar -- total blindness. Doctors treating him at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, suggested he contact Associated Services for the Blind to take advantage of the many programs and services offered, to help him adjust to his vision loss. Omar started taking English as a Second Language classes, as well as Personal Adjustment to Blindness Training (PABT) at ASB. He is now learning how to travel with a cane, read braille, use adaptive equipment, and learning how to use a keyboard. Keyboard training and becoming more comfortable traveling, are most important to Omar. He hopes being able to use the keyboard will help him gain better business knowledge so he can eventually get a job. Using a cane is very important to him as he tries to gain independence. He hopes to one day feel comfortable enough to take public transportation. Omar Cervantes is on the path to independence. With the instruction he receives at ASB, he will one day fulfill not only his dream of being independent, but also living a life filled with greater opportunities. |
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| Copyright 1995-2004. 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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