[tabi] Lighthouse of the Big Bend Newsletter: As We See It, Fall 2012
- From: Lighthouse of the Big Bend <lighthousebigbend@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: tabi <tabi@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>, fcb-l <fcb-l@xxxxxxx>
- Date: Wed, 17 Oct 2012 16:44:29 -0400
*Lighthouse of the Big Bend Newsletter
**As We See It, Fall 2012*
** **
In this issue:
1. Dining in the Dark: Sunday, November 4****
2. THANK YOU SPONSORS!****
3. Meet the Board****
4. Mobility 101: Asking for, Accepting or Refusing Assistance****
5. NFB White Cane Event 10/20, 10am-1pm****
6. Top Ten Reasons to Dine in the Dark****
7. DINING IN THE DARK RESERVATION CARD
8. Lighthouse Fall Classes 2012****
9. About the Lighthouse****
****
*1. Dining in the Dark: Sunday, November 4*
You are invited to the 8th Annual Paula Bailey âDining in the Darkâ benefit
to assist children & adults who are blind/visually impaired. This yearâs
benefit will take place on Sunday, November 4, 2012, 5:30-8:30pm, at the
University Center Club. At this unique event you will experience food,
drink and conversation as you may never have before â without your sight.
In pitch black darkness your other senses are stimulated to savor the
smell, taste and texture of your dining experience. Conversation becomes
more intimate. And ultimately, it is the Lighthouseâs hope that this event
will expand your understanding of what individuals who are blind experience
throughout their lives.
****
There is a reception before dinner with Honorary Host Representative Alan
Williams. The ever-popular popular basket raffle is back. The Leon County
Sheriffâs Office SWAT Team will once again wait on you with their night
vision goggles. We have an exciting new menu and tactile âtic tac toeâ to
play in the dark between courses. After dinner the Paula Bailey
Inspirational Community Member Award will be presented by Representative
Williams.
****
Tickets to the event (or a scholarship for someone who canât afford to
come) are $60 each. Buy a reserved table for eight for $600, or a table for
ten for $700. Just send a check payable to the Lighthouse to 3071 Highland
Oaks Terrace, ****Tallahassee**, **FL** **32301****. To donate by credit
card or PayPal visit www.lighthousebigbend.org and click on the link to
âNetwork for Good.â Make sure under DESIGNATION you type Dining in the Dark
and we will mail you your tickets.
****
For safety purposes, no children under age 12 permitted. If you need any
other assistance, please feel free to call (850) 942-3658, or email
info@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx ****
Thank you for your generosity!****
** **
*
2. THANK YOU SPONSORS!
*
****Tallahassee** **Community College********
****Tallahassee**** Democrat****
Doug & Elizabeth Bailey****
Franz Braatz and the Monday Night Gaming Club****
Glen & **Sharyn Davidson******
**Southern Vitreoretinal** Assoc.****
Sundstrom, Friedman & Fumero, LLP****
****University** **Center**** Club****
** **
** **
*3. Meet the Board*
** **
We are excited to share that over the last year, we have added several new
members to the Lighthouse Board of Directors. Below, each member has shared
a little bit about their background to introduce themselves to you. ****
** **
Fred F Flink, OD****
I was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Lighthouse of the **Big
Bend** last year. I spent my early youth in Green Cove Springs in North
Florida, and then moved to Miami Springs in **South Florida**. I graduated
from the **University** of **Miami** with a Bachelorâs degree in Chemistry,
and then achieved a Doctorate in Optometry at the Illinois College of
Optometry in ****Chicago****. As a native Floridian, I found the winters of
****Chicago**** too cold, but became accustomed to the change of seasons.
After marrying my wife, Carole, we moved to ****Tallahassee****, which is a
great place to live. I was approved to be on the Medical Advisory Board for
the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles by Governor Jeb
Bush, and reappointed by Governor Charlie Crist. In that position, I have
to ensure the safety of our roadways by assessing whether a driver has the
proper visual requirements to drive. When I find a driver too visually
impaired to drive, I am acutely aware of what the loss of the privilege of
driving means to that individual. Therefore, I am happy to be on the Board
of the Lighthouse, which helps people who are visually impaired better
adapt to their impairment, and in maintaining their productivity and
independence.****
** **
Ted Judd****
I became associated with the Lighthouse four years ago as a newsletter
mailout volunteer. My father was battling macular degeneration, so when I
was asked if I would be interested in serving on the board, I felt I had a
relationship with the Lighthouse and its mission. My wife Barbara and I
moved to **Tallahassee** from ****Virginia**** in the summer of 1990, about
a year after I retired as a captain with Eastern Air Lines. Prior to that,
I graduated from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and Iâve been an
Admissions Representative for more than 25 years. Within a couple months of
moving here, I was volunteering at the ****Junior** **Museum****, serving
as a certified court mediator, and was one of the founding members of TPDâs
Citizensâ Handicap Parking Patrol where I served for 15 yrs. I am a
graduate of the ****Senior** **Center****âs Tallahassee Active Lifelong
Leaders (TALL), ****
Ted continued: have served as a coordinator of TALLâs Culture and Arts Day,
and enjoy acting in student films and on stage. For recreation my wife and
I have traveled to more than 100 countries around the world. At the present
time I am a member of the Dining in the Dark Committee and Chairman of the
Lighthouse Internal Committee. While I'm on the Board, I would like to see
the Lighthouse expand by 100%, increase fund raising and promote public
awareness of the existence and mission of the Lighthouse of the **Big Bend**.
****
** **
Jada Michael****
I am proud to have been asked to serve on the Lighthouseâs Board of
Directors. I was born in **Tallahassee**, graduated from **Leon** **High
School** and FAMU, and worked in Human and Social Services for the State of
****Florida****. As an adult, I became blind as a result of a brain tumor
which irreparably damaged my optic nerves and caused me to lose my sense of
smell. The tumor also caused me some memory loss, so I donât remember how I
became a client of the Lighthouse, but Iâm glad I did. The staff helped me
through the stages of grief for the loss of my vision. They encouraged me
to move from denial to acceptance to thriving while living with no vision.
I have also volunteered and had a work experience with the Lighthouse. Last
year was my familyâs first time attending Dining in the Dark. The best part
of the evening was that my family finally got it! The event allowed them to
ask questions about things they never thought of before. As a Board member,
I am looking forward to helping the Lighthouse serve the visually impaired
in our community. I plan to advocate for the blind and visually impaired
beyond my service on the Board of Directors. By telling my story, and
living life to its fullest, I hope to be a testimony to all that the
Lighthouse can offer. Hopefully, others who are losing, or have lost their
vision will be motivated to become Lighthouse clients, thus becoming
prosperous members of our community.****
** **
Jon Peck****
After eight years in journalism and then 26 years in state government, I
started experiencing life in the private sector when I went to work as a
senior account manager for Ron Sachs Communications in January 2012. The
highlight of my time in state government was serving as press secretary to
Governor Bob Martinez, and I also spent 15 years working for Attorneys
General Bob Butterworth and Charlie Crist. I also worked as communications
director for the Department of Community Affairs, Department of Elder
Affairs and Florida Commission on Human Relations. None of which can
compete with what really matters in my world: my incredible wife of 30
years Brenda, our three amazing sons and two daughters-in-law (with another
on the way) and three wonderful grandchildren. In my view of the world,
everything in life can find an analogy in either baseball or the Beatles.
My service on the Board is an outgrowth of my decades-long interest in
public service and my 92-year-old motherâs experience with macular
degeneration, which stole her ability to read the books that were her
passion. I hope to use my time on the Board to play some small role helping
others deal with the challenges of vision loss.****
****
** **
*4. Mobility 101: Asking for, Accepting or Refusing Assistance*
****
Most of us, whether sighted or visually impaired, sometimes need to rely on
others for information or assistance. For example, we may ask directions to
a new friendâs home, the location of restrooms when in an unfamiliar
building, or we may follow a hostess to a table at a restaurant. This is
the typical give and take of our society. For people with visual
impairments, the additional details and techniques listed below may prove
helpful in making the experience a pleasant and non-frustrating one.****
** **
1. State your objective and ask for what you need. Once youâve gotten
someoneâs attention, explain what youâre trying to do and ask for what you
need. An example while in the mall could be, âIâm trying to get to the food
court. How do I get there from here?â
****
2. Check your understanding. Verify your understanding of the information
provided by repeating the directions or the information. Sometimes people
get their ârightâ and âleftâ mixed up when explaining to others, so clarify
things by pointing or making a gesture in the stated direction can be
helpful. Then you can go it on your own.****
** **
3. You have options when you say yes. If someone offers to take you and you
agree, you can do several things. You could ask the person to accompany you
and provide verbal information while you independently use your chosen
mobility device. Or you could use the sighted guide technique. This
technique involves holding the guideâs arm above the elbow, standing to
their side and a step behind, and following their movements. You are in
control, and can let go of their arm if needed.****
** **
4. You can say no. Occasionally, people can be overly enthusiastic in
helping or they may simply be uninformed. They may grab your cane and try
to pull you along, physically manipulate you by grasping your shoulders and
turning you in the desired direction, or they may grab your arm and push
you ahead of them. These approaches are certainly an invasion of your
personal space and can be unsafe, too. ****
** **
Your first line of defense against these approaches is verbal. Refuse and
then redirect. Say, ânoâ or âwaitâ and then instruct the person in what to
do, âLet me hold your arm.â
****
Most people are well intentioned but some may be insistent. If someone
refuses to let go of your arm and is trying to push you along, your second
line of defense is physical. Stand still while theyâre moving - dead weight
is usually hard to move. If they wonât let go of your arm, try this
maneuver. While keeping your feet stationary, raise the grasped arm towards
your opposite shoulder. Twist your upper torso and arm away from the person
and shift your weight to the foot opposite the grasped arm. If needed,
grasp the personâs wrist with your free hand and pull it forward, breaking
the grip. ****
** **
Another option is to bend your elbow, bring your arm forward and rotate it
backward until it passes your head. This will usually break the grip, too.
If you choose to pursue assistance from this person, you are usually now in
a position to take their arm.****
****
5. Appreciation. After you are to your destination, remember to say, âthank
you.â The person who helped you will know they are appreciated and will be
more likely to help others in the future. They may also have just learned a
new skill from you!****
** **
As always, the Lighthouseâs Orientation & Mobility Specialists will be
happy to answer any questions you may have at (850)942-3658.****
** **
** **
*5. NFB White Cane Event 10/20, 10am-1pm*
On October 20th the Tallahassee Chapter of the National Federation of the
Blind will hold a White Cane Event to bring awareness to the White Cane Law
which is a statewide law protecting the blind and visually impaired
pedestrians . We will have an information table in front of Gold's Gym on **
**Apalachee Parkway**** from 10am to 1pm We will also have blind and
visually impaired persons crossing the street at the corner of ****Apalachee
Parkway**** and ****Magnolia Dr****. So come on out learn about the White
Cane Law, and about the National Federation of the Blind changing what it
means to be blind. For more information contact Toni King at 850-443-3991.**
**
****
*6. Top Ten Reasons to Dine in the Dark*
10. You have the chance to be in "someone else's shoes" for a night.****
9. Meet some really cool people based on their voice first.****
8. The SWAT Team rocks with their night vision goggles!****
7. You will be more aware of your sense of hearing, touch & taste.****
6. You donât have to worry about table manners.****
5. Mystery meat takes on a whole new meaning.****
4. You may get surprised by eating a forkful of air.****
3. You can play with your food without anyone knowing. ****
2. No one will stare at you if you do something embarrassing. ****
1. In the future, you will be better able to empathize with and assist
others who never get to "turn the lights back on."****
*7. DINING IN THE DARK RESERVATION CARD
*
YES! I'd like to support the Lighthouse in raising awareness & funds to
assist people who are visually impaired or blind!
Sunday, November 4, 2012
****University** **Center**** Club
FSU Stadium Building B
*4pm* Doors Open
*4:30pm* Reception, 1st Floor - Basket Raffle, Cash Bar & Training on âHow
to Walk, Sit & Eat in the Darkâ
*5:30pm* Dinner, 3rd Floor Ballroom (Served by the Leon County Sheriffâs
Office SWAT Team!)
*8pm* Raffle Drawing & Award Ceremony****
** **
___ $60 Individual Ticket(s) #:__________ ****
___ $60 Scholarship Ticket(s) #:_________ ****
___ $100 a la carte Angel Sponsor (donation)****
___ $600 Table of Eight ****
___ $700 Table of Ten ****
___ $1,000 Silver Spoon (plus table of eight) ****
___ $2,500 Gold Goblet (plus table of eight) ****
___ $5,000 Platinum Platter (plus table of eight)
___ $10,000 Diamond Dining (plus table of eight)****
___ I'd like to donate a gift certificate to go in a raffle basket****
Your Name:****
Address: ****
City, State & Zip:****
Phone:
Email:****
*Mail to*: Lighthouse, 3071 Highland Oaks Terrace, ****Tallahassee**, **FL**
**32301****
- OR -
*Pay online*:
http://www.lighthousebigbend.org<http://www.google.com/url?sa=D&q=http://www.lighthousebigbend.org>Questions?
942-3658
****
** **
** **
*8. Lighthouse Fall Classes 2012*
Braille Class: 1st and 3rd Thursday, 10am-1pm****
i-devices Technology Class: 2nd & 4th Tuesday, 3-6pm****
Independent Living Class: 1st & 3rd Tuesday, 10am-3pm****
Orientation and Mobility 101: Wednesdays, 10-11:30am****
Quarterly O&M with Dog Guides: Saturday, January 19****
Strategies for Coping with Vision Loss Group: 1st Wednesday, 1-3pm****
Transition Groups: Every afternoon, varies by county****
Way to Work, Strategies for Employment Group: 2nd & 4th Wednesdays,
10am-12pm****
****
** **
*9. About the Lighthouse*
Lighthouse of the Big Bend provides free services to individuals who are
visually impaired or blind in **Franklin**, **Gadsden**, **Hamilton**,
Jefferson, **Lafayette**, **Leon**, **Liberty**, **Madison**,
Suwannee, ****Taylor
& Wakulla** **Counties****.****
** **
Address: 3071 **Highland** Oaks Terrace****
Phone: 850-942-3658****
Toll-free: 1-888-827-6063****
Fax: 850-942-4518****
Email: info@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx ****
Website: http://www.lighthousebigbend.org ****
** **
Lighthouse Board of Directors****
President: Evelyn Sewell****
Vice President: Fred Sanguiliano****
Treasurer: **Lynda Breen******
Secretary: Jamie Ito****
Members: ****
**Sam Atwood******
Fred F Flink, OD****
Ted Judd****
Jada Michael****
Sila Miller****
Jon Peck****
****
Lighthouse Staff****
Assistant Director: Evelyn Worley****
Assistive Technology: Elizabeth Bowden****
Early Intervention: Jennifer Crowder, **Sharon Scherbarth******
Executive Director: Barbara Ross****
Independent Living: Jeanine Kane, Toni King, Julia Kamm-Cohen****
Office Manager: **Simone Cunningham******
Specialist Assistant: Mike Worley****
Transition: Amanda Kan, Amanda Bernath****
Vocational Services: Wayne Warner Eva McElvy****
FREE SERVICES: Do you know someone in your life who might benefit from
services? Weâd love to help. Itâs easyâjust call 942-3658 or email
info@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Thanks****
** **
** **
*Lighthouse of the Big Bend âGuiding People Through Vision Lossâ**
*3071 Highland Oaks Terrace, ********Tallahassee****, ****FL**** ****32301**
******
(850) 942-3658 - info@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx ****
******** ****
** **
** ****
** **
--
Lighthouse of the Big Bend - Guiding People Through Vision Loss
3071 Highland Oaks Terrace, Tallahassee, FL 32301
(850) 942-3658 - www.lighthousebigbend.org
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