Vision loss support group to begin in Lee County PR

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                              Contact:       Shoshana Hebshi
Oct. 22, 2009                                                                                                        515.281.1338

Vision loss support group to begin in Lee County

Informational meeting Nov. 12 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Santa Fe United Methodist Church, 2815 Avenue L, Ft. Madison
 
FT. MADISON, IA – When Karen Cox became legally blind the hardest thing for her to come to terms with was losing her driver’s license. Three years later, the Ft. Madison resident still struggles with it and the loss of independence that comes with not being able to drive.
 
But, Cox, 57, is learning to cope. After spending and intensive week going through the Iowa Department for the Blind’s senior orientation where she learned non-visual techniques and skills to help her live more independently, Cox returned to Ft. Madison feeling more capable and ready to connect with others who have experienced significant vision loss.
 
Working with Susan Howard, a counselor at the Department for the Blind, Cox is starting a support group for Lee County residents living with vision loss. There will be an informational meeting Nov. 12 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Santa Fe United Methodist Church at 2815 Avenue L in Ft. Madison.
 
Because driving has been such a big issue for Cox, she hopes one of the functions of the support group will be to help people connect and share rides. For instance, if someone wants to go to a Wal-Mart 20 miles away in Burlington, that person can connect with another in the support group who also wants to go to Wal-Mart or conduct other business in Burlington.
 
But, primarily, Cox sees this support group as a chance for Lee County residents with vision loss to meet each other, learn from each other and offer support.
 
“I think you can learn so much from each other,” says Cox, a retired bookkeeper. “It’s bad enough to have an affliction of whatever it is, but knowledge to me is power, and the more knowledge we can gain from each other the better.”
 
During her week at the Department’s senior orientation, she connected with seven others from around the state. That connection helped her realize she was not alone in dealing with her vision loss.
 
Those interested in learning more about the support group or for more details about the informational meeting should contact Susan Howard at (800) 362-2587 or Susan.Howard@blind.state.ia.us
 
This month, the Department celebrates 50 years of integrating its many services and providing Iowans with exceptional vocational rehabilitation and independent living services. The milestone will be honored Oct. 30 and 31 with an Open House and Public Transportation Forum in Des Moines.
 
For more information about this event or the Iowa Department for the Blind, contact Shoshana Hebshi, communications specialist, at (515) 281-1338 or Shoshana.Hebshi@blind.state.ia.us. Check out our website at www.IDBonline.org.
 
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