Laverne Tucker

i n s i g h t s A newsletter of VISIONS/Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired Fall/Winter 2010 Laverne Tucker The first person you meet when you walk through VISIONS’ doors is our receptionist, Laverne Tucker. Laverne began with VISIONS in September of 2009, and one thing you notice immediately about her is how serene, pleasant and gentle she is. What a pleasure it is to be greeted by her every morning! Laverne is a life-long New Yorker, born and raised in Harlem. She lives in a tight knit community, and growing up, she was always the one taking care of the kids in the neighborhood, and sharing laugh- ter and her love of music with others. She is also known as the one who will “lend you a hand” when the going gets rough. Laverne Tucker In February 1984, when she was just 15 years old, she started to get headaches and mysterious pains on her sides. Her vision began to blur, so she began the arduous process of visiting several doctors as her vision continued to deteriorate. Finally after several examinations, she was diagnosed with Pseudotumor cerebri. This condition increases the pressure (intracranial pressure) inside the skull for no apparent reason. Symptoms mimic those of a brain tumor, but no tumor is present. Pseu- dotumor cerebri can occur in children and adults, but it is most common in overweight women of child- bearing age. Although the condition can be treated, in some cases the increased pressure can cause swelling of the optic nerve and result in vision loss. And this is what happened to Laverne. In five short months, this fully sighted vibrant teenager became totally blind, just in time for her sweet sixteen birthday. Now, who would be there for her during her rough times? She was primarily raised by her Great Grandmother, Aunt and Uncle, who had responsibilities of their own. All were devastated, but all knew she had to push on. She attended a vocational high school, then on to PS199 where she learned Braille, and, true to her nature and academic acumen, she helped the other (Continued pg. 9) GOING GREEN! Celebrating If you are interested in receiving future newsletters and appeals by 85 Years of Service! email, please contact Kaitlin Nelson at [email protected] or (212) 625-1616 x 143 and provide your full name, email VISIONS was recently listed as “ one of the best address and mailing address. agencies ” based on reviews in the Disability (As we transition, you may receive Awareness Campaign 2010 on the “Great email and print copies. Nonprofits” website (www.greatnonprofits.org). Thank you for your patience.) Visit the site and rate us too! 1 From the Desk of the Executive Director VISIONS is the agency that York City and its vicinity. Thank says “Yes” to over 5,000 blind you to the volunteers and staff consumers of all ages and their who organized our Westchester families. Blind people often Thanksgiving dinner and the hear “No.” No, we can’t restore Community Advisory Boards your vision. No, we can’t serve who ran the many luncheons you for free even if your income and events to raise needed is limited. funds and spread the word about VISIONS. Thank you to In this newsletter, you will read VISIONS Board of Directors about all the ways VISIONS Nancy D. Miller who provided many hours of says “Yes.” Yes, teaching peo- Executive Director their time, expertise and guid- ple to use their remaining vision round of funding cuts from both ance. Thank you to the Lions or other senses. Yes, hiring New York City and New York Clubs of New York State for people who are blind to work at State. We are challenged to your donations and volunteer VISIONS… Yes, assisting blind meet the increased needs of the efforts. Thank you to VISIONS people with finding jobs…Yes, people we serve every day. Yet incredible, committed staff. continuing to offer services free we continue to stretch the dollars Thank you to VISIONS consum- of charge at VISIONS Center to provide just one more meal for ers who worked hard to achieve on Blindness (VCB) and an isolated blind senior, one their individual goals. VISIONS at Selis Manor. more lesson for a child newly diagnosed with eye disease, one We have the formula for suc- VISIONS has cut expenses more class for blind people cess. Please give generously wherever possible and this past seeking jobs, one more counsel- so that we can continue the vital year we increased the number ing session to adjust to progres- work we do. I extend warm of people served by over 300 sive vision loss. wishes from all of us at individuals. How do we do it? VISIONS to you and your fami- With hard work and YOUR sup- Thank you to all of you for con- lies during this holiday season. port. tinuing to be there to help us Help us say “Yes” to blind peo- meet the needs of low-income ple in need… of training, oppor- We are bracing for another blind persons throughout New tunity, skill building and support. In This Issue: VISIONS Insights - Laverne Tucker Page 1 A Publication of VISIONS/Services Executive Director’s Message Page 2 for the Blind and Visually Impaired Intergenerational Program/Art Workshops Page 3 The Eyes Have It Page 4 President, Board of Directors – Nancy T. Jones Appeal Page 5/6 Vice President, Board of Directors – Richard P. Simon Consumer Feedback Page 7 Treasurer, Board of Directors – Burton M. Strauss, Jr. VISIONS Community News Page 8 Secretary, Board of Directors – Howard A. Neuman Laverne Tucker Cont./Events & Happenings Page 9 Advocacy Corner Page 10 Executive Director/CEO – Nancy D. Miller Editor, Director of Development and Outreach – Mary Springer Staff/Board News Page 10 Newsletter Design, Development Associate – Kaitlin Nelson Thank You Page 10 Our Gratitude To/It’s a Date Page 11 2 Intergenerational Program Visits the Intrepid! On November 4, 2010, five seniors and five students went on a guided touch tour of the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum in Manhattan. Museum staff described the role of an aircraft carrier, while allowing the group to visit the main operating sections of the ship. The group learned about the many trials of a life at sea during wartime, and experienced the living quarters on the ship first-hand. Model planes and ships were incorporated into the verbal descrip- tions, so the group left with a better un- derstanding of the types of military crafts used at sea during World War II. The trip ended with an actual “Kamikaze experience,” in which the group felt what it was like to be aboard the Intrepid, Seniors examining a model while it was under attack by Japanese airplane fighter pilots. Margaret Sloan, an Inter- generational senior, described the trip by saying, “The Intrepid trip was very enjoyable and informative. I had never been exposed to historical explanations like that before. It was wonderful.” VISIONS Intergenera- tional Program Manager, Carrie Lewy, observed, “The model aircrafts Seniors and Youth were an effective learning tool for both the seniors and the students. exploring together The group sat side-by-side examining the different parts of the models. It was truly an experience that bridged the generations.” Furrah Syed conducts art workshops at VISIONS VCB and VISIONS at Selis Manor Last summer, international visual artist from London, Furrah Syed, conducted workshops for participants at VCB and at VISIONS at Selis Manor. Although she is not visually impaired, Furrah believes very strongly that art should be accessible for ALL to appreciate, including those who rely heavily on their sense of touch. She creates textured abstract canvases and encourages people to engage with her canvases by touching and feeling the textures and movement of her art. This inspired her to develop her art Furrah guiding youth in art project appreciation workshop for blind and visually impaired people which she has conducted for various organizations in the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, India and Australia. VISIONS participants were thrilled to be given the opportunity to create their own abstract works of art under Furrah’s informative and caring tutelage. “It was very freeing to try art where there were no rules. I have never had any art training and was always intimidated to try art. This class gave me the freedom to try something Senior creating tactile new. I love the painting I created and showed it to my daughter. She art project loved it too!,” Janet Seth. 3 The Eyes Have It Protect Your Eyes From The Winter Sun! ing, redness, extreme sensitivity to light and the feeling of grittiness in the eyes. Although the sunny summer months are behind us for this year, it is still important to protect our Longer term exposure has eyes from the sun’s harmful UV (Ultraviolet) rays. been linked to an increased Even in the shade and when there are clouds, chance of developing, cata- anyone who spends time outside is at risk for eye racts, macular degeneration, problems related to UV radiation and other com- pingueculae and ptergia. ponents of solar radiation because UV is invisible The risk of damage to ones radiation that can penetrate clouds. As we ap- eyes increases over time as proach the winter, it is important to note that fresh one spends more time in the snow can reflect 80 percent of UV rays which sun over the span of a life- doubles ones exposure to solar UV radiation. time. It is especially important for children to wear sun- If exposure to the sun causes discomfort to your glasses because they tend to eyes, visit your eye doctor for a sun lens evalua- spend more time outdoors A VCB Participant tion.

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