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January 9, 2006

 

TINA TURNER

 

As a recent graduate of Lighthouse Central Florida, I would like to thank you for my independence.

 

Introductions… When Lighthouse received my referral from DBS, my first introduction to the center was a very warm friendly person Dave Ramsey via two phone calls.  Firstly, he gave me a brief description of the services offered and in a second phone conversation noted he had spoken to staff members and that I would be receiving a call from Lee Van Eepoel to schedule an intake interview, and David Usherio for a technology evaluation. These calls came within a few days; however, we played that ever-popular game of phone tag.  By the time we actual spoke, it was as if we were already friends.  These appointments were quickly scheduled. 

 

Now at Lighthouse… My first appointment was with Lee Van Eepoel, such a lovely person, who can relate very easily as she has visual loss.  After imparting my brief personal history and what I would like to accomplish in the future, she assured me this was attainable.  What a wonderful thing to hear after three years of mourning the loss of my vision--wondering if I really could find all the adaptive needs to return my life, to the busy rewarding life I had prior to vision loss. 

 

My next meeting was with David Usherio-Access Technology. He sat me in front of a computer and asked me what I could see. “Not much”, I quickly replied.  David did not seem to think this was a problem.  Soon, I find out he is blind… and he is going to be my instructor, talk about the blind leading the blind.  David is a remarkable instructor that taught me skills around Windows, Microsoft Word, Excel, Internet and e-mail with JAWS, a screen reader for the blind.  At the same time and in the same classroom, he was teaching Zoom Text, an enlarged print for low vision, just amazing.  After twenty-seven classes with re-engineering technique and adaptive devices, I am ready for re-entry to the work place.

 

Following this meeting, I met Steve Luther who was going to be my Orientation and Mobility instructor, a course on safety procedures for ambulating without vision. We scheduled to meet at my home the following Wednesday.  Not knowing exactly what may be in store, but in essence, I was to learn the necessary skills to travel outside my home environment.  I had been walking with a cane for almost three years at this point, but my technique needed to be refined.  With Steve, this was easy.  However, he did take me out of my comfort zone on a number of occasions… and I survived.  Now I am a very skilled cane traveler.  He taught me to “play in traffic”; I had never crossed a busy intersection on my own and frankly did not see any reason too try… w-r-o-n-g.  Steve knew my background and thought it imperative to learning these skills, so off we went to play in traffic.  I learned that our friend is traffic--it keeps you orientated. By listening to the traffic pattern, you understand when it is safe to cross even the busiest of intersections.

 

The Course…  Independent Living enables blind adults to learn how to autonomously live and thrive within any environment. I had been living independently as a blind person for three years.  “What could these instructors teach me, that I had not already taught myself?” Therefore, I just thought I would try it, and see how it goes.  Two wonderful ladies, Judy Mathews, blind since birth, and Lynn Winkler were my instructors for this class.  Not only did I stay the nine weeks, I was the only one in my class with perfect attendance.  The skills learned were extensive… grocery shopping, meal planning, and learning kitchen skills.

 

A kitchen can be a safe place for either a blind or low vision person, once you learn to use all the things necessary to make your kitchen user friendly: 

Labeling may be accomplished in many different ways, at your preference, from items of clothing to objects throughout your home, and lighting your home with the best ways to use lamps effectively. 

 

Addition domicile adaptive skills included: home organizing, use of a grid pattern for cleaning and finding lost objects, labeling cleaning products and safe use, threading a needle and sewing on a button, personal hygiene techniques and skills with makeup. I can now use mascara without “looking like a raccoon”!  

 

Before my visual loss, I was an avid reader.  Now with recorded periodicals newspapers and books on tape, I am an enthusiastic listener.  Adaptive video are also available, and CD are coming soon, how exciting! 

 

A variety of assistive devices, such as check guides, envelope guides in several sizes, signature guides, lined paper, and 20/20 pens make these previous skills once again attainable.  For a brief introduction to Braille, we spent a few hours working with a “Brailler”, which piqued my interest in a later course offering in Braille. 

 

Final Thoughts… I found my community through going to school each day with blind or visually impaired classmates and instructors, some that are also blind or visually impaired.  This newfound community replaces those thoughts of loneliness and isolation during those first few years of struggle with vision loss.  Although I have spoken only of the staff I had direct contact with at Lighthouse, there are many more people working behind the scenes to make this happen.  Lighthouse has phenomenal programs and resources. My only regret is I was not able to attend the program three years early.  We need to make it our endeavor that the residents of Central Florida are aware of what is available at Lighthouse.  Yes visually impaired and blind, still can and do contribute to the greater society, we just need to know the skills.  I am sure, I have not mentioned all the things I learned, but without hesitation, I can say what I have learned is invaluable.  I know, as I go about the rest of my life, I am better off, by my experiences through Lighthouse of Central Florida. Thank you.

 

Longwood, Florida