News & Views
Fall 2015
Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired
Inside this Issue
• Accessible Products for Daily Living
• CBVI Welcomes New Administrative/Development Director
• Summer Eye Hazards
• Calendar of Events
• Planning Your Estate
• AmazonSmile Program
• Contact Us!
A Message From the Director
Dear Friends of CBVI,
With the help of an exceptional teacher, Helen Keller learned sign language, braille and learned to
speak. In 1925 Helen addressed the Lions Club International Convention and challenged the Lions: “You
have heard how through a little word dropped from the fingers of another, a ray of light from another
soul touched the darkness of my mind and I found myself, found the world, found God. It is because my
teacher learned about me and broke through the dark, silent imprisonment which held me that I am able
to work for myself and for others. It is the caring we want more than the money. The gift without the
sympathy and interest of the giver is empty. If you care, if we can make the people of this great country
care, the blind will indeed triumph over blindness…..You have your sight, your hearing, you who are
strong and brave and kind. Will you not constitute yourselves Knights of the Blind in this crusade against
darkness?”
I have had the distinct pleasure of meeting with so many Lions Clubs in the Greater Delaware
Valley, each with their own special character, and all who are united in the “Crusade Against Darkness.”
The Lions’ dedication to the CBVI mission is ever so appreciated. 2015 is “Lions Car Challenge Year”
and every club donation will be combined to provide CBVI with a new van for transporting our clients
of all ages.
The transportation department at CBVI is second to none. On a weekly basis, we transport
approximately 40 blind and visually impaired Specialized Service clients on trips to doctor’s
appointments, banks, grocery stores and social service agencies. Additionally, our drivers transport both
our Computer Access Technology (CAT) students to and from the agency for classes and our visually
impaired CAT instructors to clients’ homes, places of employment or schools to deliver CAT services.
CBVI lost two vehicles this past winter and we are working hard to overcome this challenge. We cannot
thank Lions sufficiently for all of their unconditional support.
Lions and Lionesses, CBVI hears your ROAR and we hope that many clubs in the Delaware Valley
will join in the challenge to provide safe transportation for our clients. We also invite you, our faithful
friends and donors, to unite with us in this campaign.
Best regards.
Mary Sue Boyle,
Administrative/Development
Director
Photo: Mary Sue Boyle, addressing the West Chester Lions
Photo: Mary Sue Boyle (front, second from left) and Board President, Joe Saunders (back, second from
left), attended the Springfield Lions Donation Dinner at Springfield Country Club.
Photo: Transportation Coordinator, Lori Johnson (left), Monica Jones and Cheryl McKenzie are part of
CBVI’s driver/escort team. Not pictured are Daniel Wesley and Timi Aloowooja.
Summer Surprise for Life Skills Members
Representatives from the Andrew Hicks Foundation visited a Life Skills Education (LSE) class at the
Center recently and delivered beautiful summer-weight handmade lap blankets to each group member.
The blankets were crafted by students from Henderson High School in West Chester and students from
local Chester schools.
Andrew Hicks died suddenly and tragically at age 17 while on vacation with his family. The Foundation,
started by his parents, aims to honor Andrew’s life through service opportunities that involve students
from Andrew’s high school and the local Chester community. One of Andrew’s short term goals was to
make a difference in the life of just one of his classmates at Henderson High School before graduating.
The Foundation hopes that its efforts to engage students at Henderson with the youth of Chester will
expand and enlarge the effect that Andrew hoped to have on just ONE to include a wide and very
diverse community “These blankets are lovely,” said group member, Elaine Benenhaley. “They are
perfect to throw over your shoulders or your knees when you are at a place where air-conditioning is
too cool.” CBVI is honored to be a recipient of the Hicks Foundation’s generosity and is proud to be a
part of preserving the memory of Andrew Hicks.
LSE groups, designed specifically for individuals with blindness and visual impairment, meet on Mondays
and Wednesdays at the Center from 10:30 am to 1:00 pm. For information about group participation,
call 610-874-1476 ext.161.
Photo: Elaine Benenhaley on her way home with her new lap blanket.
Fun Fair Showcases CBVI and Local Charities
The annual Swarthmore Community Fun Fair was held on Sunday, May 3rd. Sponsored by the Rotary
Club of Swarthmore, the Fun Fair is an all-charity event. Over 100 area non-profits, including CBVI,
were invited to participate.
A parade to kick-off the festivities included a marching band, color guard, fire engines, and local and
state dignitaries. CBVI staff members, Candy Bantum and John Calhoun, marched in the parade along
with Jonilynn Campbell and Mary Sue Boyle. Candy also manned the CBVI table at the event and
provided information about our Specialized Services, In-Home Rehabilitation, Computer Access
Technology classes, Transportation Services, Prevention of Blindness Services and our Low Vision Clinic.
“We look forward to this event every year,” states Candy. “It’s estimated that approximately 6,000
people attend the event and it’s a great way for us to let people know about CBVI services and the
tremendous community resource that we are.” To learn more about CBVI services, check out our
website at www.cbvi.net or call 610-874-1476 ext.161.
Photo: CAT instructor, John Calhoun, and Prevention of Blindness Coordinator, Candy Bantum, spread
the word about CBVI at the Swarthmore Fun Fair.
Do You Know Your Eye Care Professionals?
As fall approaches, life settles back into routine. This may be a perfect time to think about your eye
health and to make an appointment with an eye care professional. Choosing the correct professional is
dependent on your eye care needs.
An OPHTHALMOLOGIST is a medical doctor (M.D. or D.O.) with special training and skill in the
diagnosis and medical and surgical treatment of eye disorders.
An OPTOMETRIST is a doctor of optometry (O.D. rather than M.D. or D.O.). Optometrists diagnose
various eye disorders, as well as refract the eye, that is, determine the need for refractive lenses. In
most states, optometrists are licensed to use pharmaceuticals to
diagnose and treat eye disease.
An OPTICIAN is trained to follow the eyeglass prescription written by an ophthalmologist or
optometrist, grind and formulate lenses, and help fit them to the wearer.
A LOW VISION SPECIALIST is an optometrist who works specifically with individuals with low vision. If
your eye doctor tells you that your vision cannot be fully corrected with ordinary prescription lenses,
medical treatment, or surgery, and you still have some usable vision, you have what is called low vision.
A low vision specialist can give you recommendations about optical and non-optical devices and vision
rehabilitation services that can help you to maximize your remaining vision and learn new ways of doing
everyday tasks. Certified Low Vision Therapists (CLVTs), Vision Rehabilitation Therapists (CVRTs), and
Orientation and Mobility Specialists (COMS) often work in close partnership with the optometrist or
ophthalmologist and can provide training in how to use low vision optical or non-optical devices in
practical everyday situations.
If you have questions about which type of eye care provider might be best for you, please contact our
Prevention of Blindness Coordinator at 610-874-1476 ext.125.
To schedule an appointment with a Low Vision Specialist at CBVI , please call Monica at 610-874-1476
ext.129.
(excerpts from VisionAware.org)
Calendar of Events
LSE: Life Skills Education | PSVS: Pre-school Vision Screening | AVS: Adult Vision Screening
AE: Adult Education | ED: Education
August
3 – LSE: Patron’s Room; 10:30AM
5 – LSE: Patron’s Room, Master
Gardener; 11AM
10 – LSE: Patron’s Room; 10:30AM
12 – LSE: Patron’s Room; 10:30AM
17 – LSE: Patron’s Room; 10:30AM
19 – LSE: Patron’s Room, PAB Monthly Video; 11AM
20 – PSVS/ED: Today’s Child Learning Center in Clifton Heights; 9:30AM
24 – LSE: Patron’s Room; 10:30AM
26 – LSE: Patron’s Room, Master Gardener; 11AM
September
2 – LSE: Patron’s Room; 10AM
7 – LABOR DAY
9 – LSE: Patron’s Room; 10AM
14 – LSE: Patron’s Room; Main Line Arts; 10AM
16 – LSE: Patron’s Room, PAB Monthly Video; 11AM
21 – LSE: Patron’s Room; Main Line Arts; 10AM
23 – LSE: Patron’s Room; 10AM
28 – LSE: Patron’s Room; Main Line Arts; 10AM
30 – LSE: Patron’s Room; 10AM
October
5 – LSE: Patron’s Room; Main Line Arts; 10AM
7 – LSE: Patron’s Room; 10AM
12 – LSE: Patron’s Room; Main Line Arts; 10AM
14 – LSE: Patron’s Room; 10AM
16 – PSVS/ED; The Pre-School Academy in Upper Darby; 9:30AM
19 – LSE: Patron’s Room; Main Line Arts; 10AM
21 – LSE: Patron’s Room, PAB Monthly Video; 10AM
26 – LSE: Patron’s Room; Main Line Arts; 10AM
Photo: Sculpture Donated to Center Blind artist, Henry Mitchell, created this wonderful sculpture that
he recently donated to CBVI. A study in yellow,red, and black, the piece has amazing color,
extraordinary detail, and incredible movement. Henry is a Specialized Service client and formerly
attended Life Skills Education classes at the Center. The sculpture is on display in the main corridor at
CBVI.
Planning Your Estate
More than half of Americans die without a will, leaving it up to the courts to decide how their assets are
distributed to those who are left behind.
Why have a will? For one thing, it ensures that your money, property and other assets are distributed to
those who mean the most to you in the way that YOU, and not the courts, specify.
If you have a will, how long has it been since it was updated? Times change and you should periodically
check what has been written to ensure that it reflects you current wishes.
A favorite charity like the Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired is also worth considering when
making your estate plans. Whether you have been involved with CBVI and have an ongoing relationship
with us or just agree with our mission, your estate gift of any size makes a significant difference to us.
To ensure that your will reflects your wishes, we recommend that you talk to an attorney who
specializes in estate planning. He or she will be able to put into action what you want to do through a
bequest of a specific amount of money, a percentage of your estate, or a specific property. If you wish,
you may also restrict the use of this gift so that you can fund or help to fund a specific part of our
mission. If you know that you are considering including CBVI in your estate plans, we will be happy to
work with you so together, we can create a legacy of which you will be proud.