In This Issue
Save the Date! Annual Fundraiser Breakfast
October 14, 2010 we will be hosting our 2nd Annual Fundraising Breakfast, Share the Vision! Located at Bell Harbor Conference Center at 7:30 a.m.
Together we will enhance community awareness about vision impairments and age-related vision loss.
Tickets for this fundraising breakfast are available now! Individual tickets are $50 or $500 for a table of ten. All proceeds will go to support services for thousands of blind and partially sighted individuals.
The opportunity to sponsor this annual event is still available! For more ticket and sponsorship information, visit www.csbps.com or contact Michael Craig at mcraig@csbps.com or by phone at (206) 525-5556.
Can’t wait to see you there!
Success Story: Bill Kingston
Losing sight doesn’t mean losing independence!
Bill Kingston is a very passionate and creative man. He worked as an Administrator for the University of Washington for 35 years, 15 at the University of Washington, enjoyed modern technology, and was married to a talented artist. Ten years ago, Bill and his wife Carol sold their belongings, retired, and moved to Mexico. It wasn’t until Bill was unable to dial the telephone, drive, read, watch TV, or use the computer that he admitted his eyesight was getting worse.
Bill and Carol enjoyed their eight years on the sand, but needed to return to their family and local health care services. They flew to Seattle with “seven pieces of baggage filled with artwork, creative stuff, a computer, a large format printer, sandals, and shorts,” Kingston said.
Upon return to the U.S. Bill was diagnosed with wet Macular Degeneration and referred to our agency. At that time he was dependent on his wife for transportation and other daily tasks. Bill found his initial experience with CSBPS rewarding. The Low Vision Clinic taught him skills to adjust to his vision loss by using magnifiers for reading print and computer monitors. Bill was also given a donated CCTV that he still uses to read text, sign papers, and write his checks.
Bill discovered that losing vision is challenging, but with the assistance of adaptive aids from CSBPS and the support of his wife, he was able to maintain an active lifestyle, continuing to enjoy his computer and art projects.
In 2009, Bill faced a devastating turn of events, his life-partner passed.
“It was not long before I realized that being alone would require I learn to do many thing I hadn’t previously done myself.” Coming to this realization, Bill reconnected with us and identified goals that would enhance his quality of life. He wanted to be mobile in and around his home, regain control of his computer to connect with friends and family around the world, and use technology to publish Carol’s art.
The Orientation and Mobility Specialist “laid a strong foundation in helping me adapt to my changed situation.” Reluctant at first, Bill eventually grasped the opportunity to learn to use a white cane and is now able to navigate the bus system and other alternative transportation. “I consider my cane a safety device that alerts people of my presence. Most people are helpful when they see your cane. I have independently traveled, negotiating SeaTac and a 7,000 foot Gondola ride. I don’t leave home without it!”
Bill draws on his new confidence and success to live independently. With the assistance of our Low Vision Clinic, Assistive Technology Specialist, and Mobility Specialist, Bill is active in reaching his goals. He is able to manage his grocery shopping and can prepare his own meals. After working with our Assistive Technology Specialist, he can now use his home computer to scan and print his wife’s art – and communicate with his friends and family online.
Bill has taken his training in independence and used that as a tool for self-determination, he is now in the process of publishing and writing a book about his wife. He has found that he can do the things he thought he would never be able to do with the help of services from the staff at CSBPS.
“Thanks to all of you at Community Services for the Blind and Partially Sighted. You opened my eyes!”
Education: CCTV (Closed Circuit Television)
The key to success is the ability to adapt!
Adapting to life with vision loss can be frustrating and disabling or challenging and rewarding. Community Services for the Blind and Partially Sighted understands that living with vision loss is not easy, however, we do know of tools and resources to make living independently easier.
Many people with impaired vision find it difficult to utilize their remaining eyesight to accomplish daily tasks such as reading, writing, viewing photos, filling out checks, and sewing. A powerful tool for helping people overcome the obstacles of low vision is the Closed Circuit Television (CCTV). CCTVs bring zoom into life! A CCTV is an electronic magnification reading system that enables visually impaired users to zoom in and read a variety of materials and also facilitates writing.
A CCTV system uses a stand-mounted or hand-held video camera to project a magnified image onto a monitor. The video camera works in real time to capture the image of the reading material. The stand-mounted CCTV works well when reading material is placed flat on the unit’s viewing surface under the camera. The viewing surface typically glides from top to bottom and from side to side. Hand-held CCTVs make it possible for users to position the camera on the material that is being viewed. These units are able to magnify nearly anything within reach of the camera, including labels on food and medicine.
New and innovative CCTV designs deliver a high level of performance by providing the user with many features. Zoom lenses allow for rapid change in magnification and the ability to change the contrast of the text creates less strain on eyes. For instance, the poor contrast of newspaper print can be enlarged 40X and converted to a contrast more suitable for the reader, such as white letters on a black background. CCTVs are very useful for those with vision loss because the video magnification systems are capable of higher levels of magnification than other optical solutions. Since many CCTV models have a range of magnification, it allows users to continue using them for many years, even as their vision continues to change.
Adapting one’s home to changing circumstances can be difficult, but the key to success is the ability to adapt! Leading an independent and active life is more manageable for those with vision loss when they are able to use CCTVs in their daily lives. CCTVs make achieving tasks such as reading newspapers, telephone books, bills, greeting cards, magazines, checkbooks, food packaging, and medicine bottles possible.
If you’re interested in bringing some zoom into your life - CSBPS has a CCTV rental program and coordinates new and used sales of CCTVs, as well as many other low vision devices. CSBPS also provides information, product literature, and personal demonstrations. To fully understand the potential of these tools, a one-on-one discussion is the best way to answer your questions about CCTVs and other products.
Please contact Alicia Hinckley at ahinckley@csbps.com or by phone (206) 525-5556 or visit www.SightConnection.com to learn more about CCTVs and other products available. At Community Services for the Blind and Partially Sighted we focus on making sure you get the most appropriate devices that will support your individual goals and needs!
SightConnection: Spotlight on Dual Voice Talking Watch
In a world where the hours and minutes fly by - make the most of your time! Visit SightConnection for a great selection of watches that fit your style and preferences.
This month we are spotlighting the Dual Voice Talking Watch!
This one button watch is simple to use. Press the button once to hear the time, and press again to hear the day and date. All dual voice talking watches speak the time with both a male and female voice – you have the ability to choose whichever sounds best to you!
Whether you’re interested in a men’s or women’s two-tone, men’s or women’s chrome, or women’s gold, SightConnection has the perfect voice talking watch for you.
The dual voice talking watch is made to fit your needs – so you can make the most of your time.
To shop SightConnection Click Here
Summer Tips
HAVE FUN IN THE SUN – But don’t forget to protect your eyes!
Sunny summer days seem to be few and far between, especially for those located in the often cloudy Pacific Northwest. Though it seems there are more clouds in the sky than sun, it is vital to protect your eyes when you are outside for long periods of time - whether the sun is brightly shining or the sky is overcast.
Overexposure to the ultraviolet (UV) rays produced by the sun can cause lasting damage to the eyes. This overexposure can lead to vision loss from cataracts or macular degeneration.
Tips for summer safe eyes:
• Avoid blue tinted sunglasses as they do not block UV rays
• Wear protective hats and visors
• Avoid spending long periods in the sun without protection
• Wear sunglasses that block UVB and UVA rays
Remember to screen your skin from the sun as well as your eyes and, most importantly, enjoy the Summer!
How to Reach Us
- Agency
- phone 206 525-5556
toll free 800 458-4888
fax 206 525-0422
email csbps@csbps.com
- websites
- agency www.csbps.com
store www.sightconnection.com
clothing donations www.donatecsb.org
- agency, store address
- 9709 Third Ave NE, #100
Seattle, WA 98115-2027
- hours
- agency 8 am-5 pm, m-f
store 9 am-5 pm, m-f
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twitter.com/csbps
