Vision SA Spring 2007

 

 

Life Begins At Any Age

 

Where do you see yourself at 86?  What do you imagine you’ll be doing? Will you be active? Living independently? Will you be using a computer, and in your spare time, volunteering to help others?

 

Connie Vourmard is 86 and successfully achieving all of this and more. And she is legally blind.

 

Ten years ago, Connie lost her sight, literally overnight, to Macular Degeneration. She had never heard of the condition and it was a very frightening and emotional time. Connie didn’t know what it meant for her and most of all, as reading was her passion, she was afraid she would never be able to turn the pages of a book again.

 

Connie was referred to the RSB’s Low Vision Centre (LVC). Although she may not have been totally aware of it at the time, this was the beginning of Connie’s new life. The LVC’s Counsellors provided Connie with support and advice that was fundamental to her rehabilitation. The RSB’s Occupational Therapists visited Connie at home, where they taught her various skills that enabled her to live independently. Desperate to maintain her ability to read, the RSB also taught Connie Braille. She said, “It wasn’t easy, but it was so interesting — I never would have thought six dots could represent the entire English language.” Connie later signed up to the RSB’s Books in The Sky program and now reads her books in digital audio format.

 

Knowing the RSB was right there whenever she needed assistance; Connie gained a new sense of confidence. The RSB’s Adaptive Technology Service taught her how to use a computer and to touch type - no mean feat for someone who was nearing 80 by then and had never used a computer. She was impressed and delighted by the doors that this opened for her and bought her own computer. “The RSB has given me  freedom,” she said. “I can’t speak highly enough of the Low Vision Services team, which has helped me reach this point of independence.”

 

Connie wanted to give something back in return for all the help she had received and so at 83, became an RSB Volunteer Peer Supporter. Connie rings people newly diagnosed with severe vision loss, listens to their fears, tells them about her experience, answers their questions and reassures them that there is life after Macular Degeneration. “It makes me feel so good to be able to help others and to know you have made them feel better about their situation.

 

When you can see, you don’t think about the people who can’t. Now that I’ve been exposed to the blind community, I have all the admiration and respect in the world for what they can achieve.  The RSB is there to help and no-one should ever feel like they are alone.” 

 

The RSB is trying to raise $50,000 to support its Low Vision Services. This will give so many more South Australians, who find themselves in a similar situation to Connie, the emotional support, advice and assistance they need to continue living as independently as possible.

 

 

Young Business Leaders SA (YBL) Program

The Young Business Leaders SA (YBL) Program 2007/08 was launched in July by Ms Judy Potter, Chief Executive Officer of SA Great and Mr Ray Clark, Chairman of the RSB Board on July 30.

 

The YBL Program takes participants on a 10 month journey of professional and personal development and this year is sponsored by The Advertiser and Sunday Mail, Australian Institute of Management, BHP Billiton, Boileau Business Solutions, Commonwealth Bank, Coopers, FIVEaa, In Business, Network Ten, The Pickard Foundation, Qantas and Venture Holidays.

 

The RSB wishes this year’s participants the best of luck with achieving their personal and professional goals throughout the YBL journey.

 

Jo Atkins - RAA of SA Inc

Verity Batt  - Rosey Batt & Associates

Adam Boon - Macquarie Private Wealth

Deborah Chalk - Kellogg Brown&Root PtyLtd

Ben Clark - Internode

Hannah Davis - Australia Post

Toby Dodd - 7C Communications Group (sponsored by Gold Pages)

Veronica Edwards - Advertiser Newspapers Ltd

Ryan Fowden - SA Water

Avril Holmes - Goforlife Well & Fit

Olivia McFarlane - NAB

Steven McLachlan - Haigh’s Chocolates

Declan Nikoloff - EDS Australia

Bree Ormsby - BHP Billiton

Heather Pfeiffer - Subway

Danni Rusling - Qantas

Stacy Sargeant - Boileau Business Solutions

Paige Smallacombe - NAB

Allan Stabile - ASC PtyLtd

Felicity VanDerHeul - City of Charles Sturt

 

 

Tales From the RSB Guide Dog Service

Welcome New Cadets

With the rapid growth of the RSB Guide Dog Service, two new cadets have been brought on board to be trained as Guide Dog Mobility Instructors. 

 

The cadetship, which lasts three years, is accredited to the International Federation of Guide Dog Schools and the cadets will have to undertake formal and practical training in dog psychology and working with people who are blind or vision impaired.

 

At the end of the three years, the cadets will be internationally qualified to train guide dogs and clients in working with them.

 

A Dog’s Life

There are about 40 pups in the Service, which is becoming quite multicultural with one pup having arrived from New Zealand and two breeding dogs on their way from Norway and England. Additionally, the RSB has five Labrador — Golden Retriever cross pups which are six months old and already showing signs of having what it takes to be an RSB Guide Dog.

 

Best Fed Pups on the Block

Royal Canin, the leading supplier of premium quality cat and dog food, has come on board as a sponsor of the RSB Guide Dog Service. This means that all RSB dogs will be raised on the most nutritious food available, ensuring their optimum health. For more information on how Royal Canin can help your cat or dog meet its nutritional needs, go to www.royalcanin.com.au.

 

Become a Puppy Educator or Bed & Breakfast Boarder

The RSB Guide Dog Service is looking for people to help love, care for and educate its growing number of pups.

 

A Puppy Educator cares for a pup from the age of eight weeks for 10 months on a fulltime basis. As the name implies, a Bed & Breakfast Boarder provides a place to sleep overnight for a 12 month old dog in training.

 

It is very rewarding knowing that you are helping someone who is blind or vision impaired to have the independence and freedomthat sighted people take for granted. 

 

For more information, call the RSB Guide Dog Service today on 8261 4121 or come to the monthly information session on the first Tuesday of the month from 6.30-7.30pm at the RSB, 230 Pirie Street Adelaide.

 

Support the RSB Guide Dog Service and Win a Car!

The Spring RSB Guide Dog Service Lottery is underway and a $2.50 ticket could put you in the running to win a first prize of your choice; either a new Ford Falcon or $35,000 cash! Second prize is a new Ford Fiesta. A Book Buyer’s Prize and Early Bird Prize are also up for grabs. Call 1800 000 370 to buy your tickets now. Lottery closes 5 December 2007.

 

 

News

BiTS Update

The RSB has recently purchased ten book titles from the Canadian National Institute for the Blind to trial with the BiTS program. These DAISY constructed digital books utilise the navigation facilities of the audio navigator.

 

Also, there is now a BiTS access point at the Naracoorte Public Library.

 

Feel Good Now!

Many people spend hours looking for a way to make themselves feel good when it only takes an hour or so a week to achieve this. How? By volunteering for the RSB.

 

Whether you choose to visit with someone, care for an RSB Guide Dog or drive  someone to an appointment, the rewards of volunteering are immediate. You are rewarded when you see someone’s face brighten when they see you, when you can actually feel someone’s gratitude for your time or knowing you are helping make a difference. To find out how you can feel good now, call RSB Volunteer Services on 8232 4777.

 

New RSB Staff in Mt Gambier

Rosemary Murdoch has started as the new Regional Coordinator at the RSB’s Mt Gambier office. Rosemary will be attending to the visionrelated needs of all clients in the South East region, so please feel free to contact her.

 

Sunglasses

With summer nearly here, you may need a pair of glare reducing sunglasses from the Low Vision Centre (LVC). In addition to the regular range of UV shields a new range called Spectrashields are now available with the same shades but with a new and more modern frame. Prices for the standard UV shields start from $22 and Spectrashields from $33.

 

The LVC also continues to stock a large range of daily living products with new items arriving regularly so come in and browse. Our friendly staff are on-hand to assist with any questions.

 

Voting at the Federal Election

The Australian Electoral Commission has developed a voting machine designed for people who are blind or vision impaired. Headphones assist the voter to navigate the ‘virtual’ ballot paper and a telephonestyle keypad is used to make selections. For those with some sight, the machine has a 21 inch screen. 

 

A barcode print out is produced, ensuring confidentiality. It is placed in the ballot box.

 

To find out where the electronic voting machines will be on polling day, contact Ms Andy Wilson at the Australian Electoral Commission on 8237 6551.

 

Mini bus for Southern Suburbs

With thanks to a contribution from the Department of Families and Communities’ Community Benefit Fund, the RSB has been able to purchase an additional mini bus, in partnership with Blind Welfare Association (BWA).

 

The bus will be used by clients of both the RSB and BWA who live in the southern suburbs, enabling them to take part in recreational activities, support groups, community events and appointments.

 

The bus will be operated by volunteers. If you live anywhere south of the CBD and are interested in volunteering for the RSB, please call RSB Volunteer Services on 8232 4777.

 

RSB Client Survey

We will be conducting our annual Client Survey in November. RSB clients will be randomly contacted by phone and asked a series of questions about RSB services. If you are chosen, we would appreciate your assistance as it helps us to improve the services we offer.

 

Art Exhibition

The RSB Noarlunga office has received funding from the City of Onkaparinga to present ‘Hidden Talent’ — an exhibition featuring the art and craft work of RSB clients as part of the Every Generation Festival.

 

The exhibition will be held at the Noarlunga College Theatre on October 16 and 17 between 11am and 4pm, with an opening ceremony at 11am on the Tuesday.

 

RSB clients in the Noarlunga area may also participate in arts workshops. For more information, contact Briget or Bev on at the RSB Noarlunga on 8326 1188.

 

RSB Industrial Services

The RSB was founded in 1884 solely to provide employment to those who were blind.123 years on, RSB Industrial Services continues to provide employment for over 70 South Australians who are blind or vision impaired. Packing Bellis fruit bars and assembling irrigation components for international supplier Philmac, are just two examples of work performed.

 

Industrial Services also provides businesses with cost effective and efficient solutions to their product assembly and packaging needs. A complete service for thermo and pressure formed products, including clamshells, food grade containers and folded and heat sealed blisters is also provided.

 

If your organisation needs assistance with assembling or packaging items, call RSB Industrial Services for more information and a competitive quote today on 8261 4121.

 

 

 

 

 

 

RSB Support Groups

The RSB operates a large range of support groups for all ages, interests and suburbs. Most groups meet monthly, some meet fortnightly. If you would like to meet some new people or just have a chat and a cuppa, call now for more information.

 

Low Vision Support Groups For more information on a support group near you, please call the RSB’s contact listed below.

 

 

 

Non-English Speaking Groups

For those whose primary language is not English, the RSB offers support groups in Italian, Polish, Greek and Spanish. For more information, contact Vicki Ziatas at the RSB on 8232 2444.

 

Other Groups

To find out more about the Elizabeth Men’s Support Group, please call Felicity McAvaney or Gayle Wade on 8255 0622. A Health Focus Craft Group operates in Port
Augusta. Call Heather Sheldon at the RSB on 8641 1980 to find out more.

 

Together, just see what we can do.

 

Order an RSB Guide Dog collection unit for your workplace today.

The RSB would like to thank the following organisations for taking an RSB Guide Dog collection unit into their organisation to help raise funds for the Service:

 

Home Hardware, Prospect

Murray Bridge Fundraising Committee

SafeWork SA, Adelaide

Time Out Café, Munno Para

Tyndale Christian School, Salisbury

Vision Centre, Munno Para

Solver Paints at all the following locations:

Ashford, Campbelltown, Clovelley Park,

Findon, Kilburn, Marion, Maylands,

Modbury, Morphett Vale and Salisbury

 

The RSB would like to sincerely thank the Bill and Jean Henson Trust, managed by Perpetual for their extremely generous donation to RSB Industrial Services at Gilles Plains. The gift enabled the purchase of essential equipment that will create a more diversified, productive and rewarding work environment for all staff. 

 

Burns for Blinds, which has been doing business in South Australia since 1953, has come on board as an active supporter of the RSB. The home furnishings company has built a reputation based on honesty, trust, value for money and the highest level of service and the RSB is proud to have their support.

 

Hills Charity Support Scheme has generously sponsored an RSB Guide Dog pup, which they have decided to name Hillsy. We are very grateful for this invaluable support, which will give a South Australian independence and freedom.

 

The CMV Foundation has kindly donated funds in support of RSB Mobility Services, which was able to purchase two GPS Trekkers which will be of immense benefit to RSB clients.

 

The RSB also acknowledges BankSA Staff Charitable Fund for its ongoing support of the RSB’s work and its most recent gift, which is greatly appreciated.

 

The RSB would like to acknowledge the fantastic efforts of the students at Tyndale Christian School who chose to support the RSB as part of its Term 3 activities. The school raised funds to support the RSB Guide Dog Service and learnt the value of helping others. The Year 9 students and teachers are to be especially congratulated for their efforts.

 

If you would like to support the work of the RSB Guide Dog Service by having a collection unit or some RSB Guide Dog merchandise, at your place of work, please call the RSB today on 8223 6222 and we’ll take care of the rest!

 

Information contained in Vision SA is subject to copyright and all rights are reserved.

 

The Royal Society for the Blind

 

Low Vision & Adaptive Technology Centres

Employment Services & Volunteer Services

230 Pirie Street T. 8232 4777

Adelaide SA 5000 F. 8232 4807

 

Community Services

230 Pirie Street T. 8232 2444

Adelaide SA 5000 F. 8232 2111

 

RSB Guide Dog Service,

Industrial Services & Accounts

Blacks Road T. 8261 4121

Gillies Plains SA 5086 F. 8266 3310

 

Corporate Office

254 Angas Street T. 8223 6222

Adelaide SA 5000 F. 8223 7836

 

Outer Metro & Regional Offices

 

RSB Elizabeth

T. 8255 0622 F. 8255 0811

 

RSB Mt. Gambier

T. 8725 1921 F. 8725 1707

 

RSB Noarlunga

T. 8326 1188 F. 8326 6288

 

RSB Pt. Augusta

T. 8641 1980 F. 8641 1686

 

RSB Victor Harbor

T. 8552 9774 F. 8552 9775

 

mail@rsb.org.au