Tag Archive

Eye and Health Care

LightHouse Connect: Find Your Fit

NutriBulletJoin the LightHouse on Thursday, March 31 for a timely workshop on health, fitness and nutrition, for adults who are blind or have low vision.

Americans are constantly striving to stay fit, eat the right foods, lose weight, walk 10,000 steps and stay on top of the latest health trends. How do people who are blind or have low vision keep up with the latest trends when much of it requires technology that seems inaccessible?

The Find Your Fit workshop will consist of a panel of speakers that will share ideas and ways to stay slim and trim and have fun doing it. Get ready to roll up your sleeves to test out accessible blood pressure monitors, step on accessible scales and get your hands on all types of cool tech that will keep your heart healthy, your body happy and help maintain an overall healthier you. In addition, a NutriBullet Pro Hands-on Demonstration will take place after the panel discussion – whip up a nutritional juice for your afternoon!

When: Thursday, March 31, from 3:00 until 5:30 p.m.
Where:
LightHouse San Francisco Headquarters

To RSVP please call Beth Berenson at 415-431-1481 or email at info@lighthouse-sf.org. Healthy refreshments will be provided.

Mind’s Eye Therapy Group Starts New Sessions in January

Rachel LonganLightHouse for the Blind’s Counseling and Psychological Services program is starting a fresh Mind’s Eye therapy group in January. This group is intended for individuals who are moving forward in their lives with recent changes in their vision. Group facilitator Rachel Longan has thoughtfully designed Mind’s Eye for adults who are navigating this very personal journey.

Where: LightHouse of the East Bay, at Ed Roberts Campus in Berkeley
When: Twelve Mondays beginning January 11, 2016, 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.

For specific dates, please contact Rachel Longan at rlongan@lighthouse-sf.org.

Sudden or actively progressive vision changes can affect many aspects of a person’s life. Students participating in this group are able to process their experiences in a safe and understanding setting. Ms. Longan incorporates a variety of techniques and experiential exercises into each session. Some of the topics the group will cover include new challenges in relationships, social participation and emotional factors commonly associated with adjusting to vision changes.

The Mind’s Eye group will be a 12-week series on Monday evenings at the Ed Roberts Campus in Berkeley starting January 11, 2016. There is a nominal fee for participating in this group. People who are interested in the group are urged to contact Rachel Longan at 415 694-7302 or email her at rlongan@lighthouse-sf.org

About the therapist
Rachel Longan has over ten years of experience conducting support groups in a variety of settings. Rachel has low vision and has designed and facilitated the Mind’s Eye group specifically for individuals experiencing recent changes in vision. Ms. Longan has guest lectured at the International Conference on Costello Syndrome and at UC Berkeley. She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, conducts a parent group for the City of Berkeley and has a private psychotherapy practice, also in Berkeley.

LightHouse Gets Fit – Come Work Out With Us at Fitness SF

LightHouse staff stand in front of Fitness SF signIn an effort to bring more fitness opportunities to the blind and low vision community, LightHouse is partnering with Fitness SF to make working out easier and accessible for all.

We all know that being active is a vital component to a healthy life. Going to the gym can be one of the easiest ways to incorporate strength, endurance and cardio components into your exercise regime, but the gym can be an uncomfortable place when you are blind. The challenges come from the awkwardness of navigating through a gym crowded with people and exercise equipment. Additionally many exercise machines are based on inaccessible touch screens, and those machines that are more blind-friendly can still be intimidating to a blind person who is unfamiliar with them. While many gyms offer a one-time tour of the facilities for new members, this typically is not enough for a blind person to get comfortable with the layout of the space and the use of the equipment.

Fitness SF, with six locations all over the Bay Area, including one within walking distance of LightHouse headquarters in San Francisco, is truly committed to working with the LightHouse to make their gyms accessible and welcoming to the blind and low vision community. LightHouse students are invited to go to Fitness SF’s mid-market location to get individualized attention to help make their workout safe, accessible, effective and fun!

Director of Community Services Lisamaria Martinez says, “I’m excited to work with Fitness SF. They are dedicated to working with us and truly understanding the needs of blind people who go to the gym. You don’t typically get this type of willingness to work with a blind individual, let alone an entire community of blind people.”

Group personal training is at 4 pm on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. RSVP and membership are required for those sessions. Please contact Amber Sherrard at ASherrard@lighthouse-sf.org or (415) 694-7353 for more information about membership and classes.

Learn Tai Chi From an Expert and Become Fundamentally Fall-Proof on March 7

Did you know that falls are a leading cause of injury among older adults? Come to the LightHouse Fall Prevention Workshop, conducted by Tai Chi master Winslow Rouse, to learn how you can avoid falling and become fundamentally fall-proof.

When: Saturday, March 7, 1:30 until 4:00 p.m.
Where: LightHouse San Francisco Headquarters

About the Teacher:
Winslow Rouse is a diplomat in Tai Chi with a master’s degree in counseling and certifications in acute, long-term and residential nursing. He began studying Tai Chi in 1964 with the famous Tai Chi Master Choy Kam Man and received his diploma and teaching certification nine years later. In 1974 he founded the first accredited Tai Chi training program in the United States, at the University of California at Santa Cruz. This program, which continues to this day, trains university students in the principles and techniques of Tai Chi. Since then Winslow Rouse has taught Tai Chi all over the Bay Area and in Sacramento, in many community and senior centers and in sports facilities.

When a close personal friend was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2001 and became a fall risk, Winslow began studying nursing, determined to learn how to help people avoid the danger of falls. Dissatisfied with the fall prevention training offered in nursing school, he tried applying his training in Tai Chi to the problem of falls and developed a fall prevention training program which combines modern biological knowledge with the ancient wisdom of the Chinese Tai Chi masters – to make anyone who can walk fundamentally fall proof.

To learn more or to RSVP for this workshop, please contact Beth Berenson at 415-431-1481 or info@lighthouse-sf.org.

CORRECTED DATE: 3rd Annual “Day of Giving” Blind Blood Drive is Thursday, January 22nd

In honor of the Martin Luther King Day of Service 2015, LightHouse and the American Red Cross, Northern California Blood Services Region, in partnership with the Orientation Center for the Blind and the Santa Clara Valley Blind Center, will host the “Giving Blood, Giving Life: Bay Area Blind Community’s 3rd Annual Day of Giving” Blind Blood Drive on January 22, 2015 from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. LightHouse is one of a number of Bay Area locations who will host the Blind Blood drive.

Logo American Red Cross, Please Give Blood

Did you know? An individual can donate blood up to six times a year, but nationally, donors give blood an average of 1.8 times a year. If everyone were to donate just one more time per year, the Red Cross would never be in urgent need for blood.

Lisamaria Martinez, who is LightHouse Director of Community Services and is coordinating the drive, told us, “Last year’s Blind Blood Drive collected 108 usable units of blood, and we hope to move that figure up to 150 usable units in 2015. This is not just another blood drive. It’s a unique opportunity for Bay Area blind people and their friends and family to unite with the powerful goal of literally rolling up their sleeves and giving back, saving lives in our community.”

Stay updated on Twitter with #blindblooddrive15. For more information about our blind community day of giving, please contact Lisamaria Martinez, Director of Community Services, at info@lighthouse-sf.org or 415-431-1481.

You can also participate in the blind blood drive at the following locations. All locations are taking blood between 11:00 a.m. and 5:00 pm.

Orientation Center for the Blind: 400 Adams St. – Albany
Santa Clara Valley Blind Center: 101 N. Bascom Ave. – San Jose
San Jose Blood Donation Center: 2731 North First St – San Jose
Oakland Blood Donation Center: 6230 Claremont Ave – Oakland
Contra Costa Blood Donation Center: 140 Gregory Lane – Pleasant Hill
Pleasanton Blood Donation Center: 5556-B Springdale Ave – Pleasanton
Fremont – Newark Blood Donation Center: 39227 Cedar Blvd – Newark

To schedule your appointment at any of the above locations, please log on to redcrossblood.org, enter the Sponsor Code: DayOfGiving or call 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767).
If you have questions regarding your eligibility to donate blood, please call 1-866-236-3276.

 

Peninsula Educational and Support Group

You are invited to join the inaugural meeting of an educational and support group dealing with vision loss and blindness. This group will meet monthly.

When: First meeting is Wednesday, September 17, 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.

Where: Veterans Memorial Senior Center, 1455 Madison Ave, Redwood City

Who should attend: Anyone concerned about their own potential vision loss or anyone who has already encountered vision loss or blindness. Should you know someone with these concerns please bring them with you. This will be an educational and fellowship support group led by individuals who are knowledgeable about the topic and have dealt personally with vision loss.

Topics for discussion: Will include but not be limited to the following:

  • Biological and medical aspects of vision loss
  • Adjusting to vision loss
  • Tools for independent living
  • What’s in an attitude – learning to think differently about vision loss
  • Independent travel
  • Community resources
  • History of rehabilitation & medical practices related to vision loss

Co-Leaders of the Group

Lynda Johnson: MA, Marriage, Family Therapist Intern

Lynda has a general private counseling practice specializing in vision loss

Ed Vaughan, PhD

Ed has published three books and many articles about the social aspects of blindness

Please call or email if you are interested in attending or if you have questions:
Lynda at 650.504.1650, lyndajohnsonbas@sbcglobal.net; or Ed at 650.851.1966, cedwinvaughan@yahoo.com.

Mind’s Eye Therapy Group Begins Again in September

Due to popular demand, LightHouse for the Blind’s Counseling and Psychological Services program will be offering a second set of therapy group sessions intended for individuals who are moving forward in their lives with recent changes in their vision. With guidance from our staff psychologist, Connie Conley-Jung, Ph.D., the Mind’s Eye facilitator, Ms. Rachel Longan, M.S. has thoughtfully designed this group for adults who are navigating this very personal journey.

Sudden or actively progressive vision changes can affect many aspects of a person’s life. Clients who are participating in this group are able to process their experiences in a safe and understanding setting.

Ms. Longan incorporates a variety of techniques and experiential exercises into each session. Some of the topics the group is covering include new challenges in relationships, social participation, and emotional factors commonly associated with adjusting to vision changes.

When: Tuesday afternoons, September 9 through December 2
Where: LightHouse San Francisco Headquarters

The group schedule has been extended into a 12-week series held on Tuesday afternoons at LightHouse San Francisco Headquarters, from September 9 through December 2, 2014. If you are interested in enrolling in this group please contact Ms. Rachel Longan at 415 694-7302 or rlonganlighthouse@gmail.com.

Rachel Longan has 8 years of experience conducting support groups and 5 years of supervised therapy hours in a variety of settings. Rachel is visually impaired and has co-facilitated a year-long support group specifically for individuals experiencing recent vision loss. Ms. Longan has guest lectured at the International Conference on Costello Syndrome and at UC Berkeley. She is a Registered Marriage and Family Intern at the LightHouse (supervised by Connie Conley-Jung, Ph.D.) and also works at the Pacific Center in Berkeley.

Rachel Longan

Introducing the Mind’s Eye Therapy Group

LightHouse for the Blind’s Counseling and Psychological Services Program is offering a new therapy group called Mind’s Eye, intended for individuals with recent changes in their vision who are moving forward in their lives. With guidance from our staff psychologist, Connie Conley-Jung, Ph.D., the group facilitator, Ms. Rachel Longan, M.S. has thoughtfully designed this group for adults who are navigating this very personal journey.

Changes in vision can affect many aspects of a person’s life. Students who are participating in this group are able to process their experiences in a safe and caring setting. Ms. Longan incorporates a variety of techniques and experiential exercises into each session. Some of the topics the group is covering include new challenges in relationships, social participation, and emotional factors commonly associated with adjusting to changes in vision.

We already have one active group and we’re looking to recruit a second one. The series runs for 8-weeks as is held on Thursday afternoons at LightHouse San Francisco Headquarters. If you are interested in enrolling in a future Mind’s Eye therapy group please contact Dr. Connie Conley-Jung at 415 694-7307 or email her at cjung@lighthouse-sf.org.

About the Therapist
Ms. Rachel Longan has 8 years of experience conducting support groups and five years of supervised therapy hours in a variety of settings. Rachel is visually impaired and has co-facilitated a year-long support group specifically for individuals experiencing recent vision loss.

Ms. Longan has guest lectured at the International Conference on Costello Syndrome and at UC Berkeley. She is a Registered Marriage and Family Intern at the Lighthouse (supervised by Connie Conley-Jung, Ph.D.) and also works at the Pacific Center in Berkeley.

Rachel Longan

Have you used a SoloHealth Kiosk?

Disability Rights Advocates (DRA) is interested in hearing from regular customers of Safeway, CVS, Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club stores who have attempted to use or who are interested in using SoloHealth self-service health kiosks. SoloHealth Stations are interactive, self-service touchscreen kiosks that provide free medical screening services, such as blood pressure measurements, weight and body mass index measurements and vision screenings. SoloHealth Stations also provide information about the Affordable Care Act, available health insurance options and referrals to neighborhood doctors.

SoloHealth’s website features a tool that enables users to locate nearby SoloHealth Stations. You can find SoloHealth Stations at hundreds of locations throughout California. The web address is: https://solohealth.com.

DRA wants to learn more about the problems that blind and low vision Californians are experiencing independently using the SoloHealth Stations. To share your experiences, please contact Layla Oghabian at loghabian@dralegal.org or call 510-665-8644.

Together We Are Saving Lives – Day of Giving Blind Blood Drive Doubles Last Year’s Donations

On January 17, in honor of the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, LightHouse and partnering agencies worked together to save 324 lives during the Second Annual 2014 Day of Giving Blind Blood Drive.

The Bay Area drive was initiated and coordinated by the LightHouse along with the California School for the Blind, Vista Center, Santa Clara Blind Center and the Ed Roberts Campus opened their doors to the blind community and sighted friends, allowing people to walk in and donate blood for those in need. The American Red Cross was able to collect 108 usable units of blood, more than double what we collected last year and which will potentially save 324 lives.

Said LightHouse Community Services Director John Liang:
“(Today) I have received nothing but positive feedback from both within and without the blind community. I truly believe that if we continue to build upon the current foundation and harness the enthusiasm and successes of each successive blood drive, our initial goal of having the Day of Giving Blind Blood Drive go national may soon come to fruition. There’s no reason why LightHouse and American Red Cross cannot and should not be at the vanguard of mobilizing an entire nation of blind and sighted folk alike for such a meaningful and selfless purpose.”

Thank you to all who participated in this year’s blood drive and a very big thank you to the American Red Cross.