MLV Foundation Inc.

October is Blindness Awareness Month! Join MLV / Orbit Training Center as we share practical ways to support independence, challenge misconceptions, and make everyday life more accessible. Blindness is part of a person’s experience, and every person has their own interests and goals. Follow along this month—and share these posts to help the conversation reach someone new.

Graphic with a soft pastel green background. Bold black text at the top reads: "OCTOBER IS BLINDNESS AWARENESS MONTH". Below the text is a white square containing the MLV Foundation Inc. logo, which features a black circle shaped like an eye's pupil with a light reflection cutout. The pupil is surrounded by two green curved arrows forming the outer shape of an eye. Underneath the icon, the text reads "MLV" in bold green and "Foundation Inc." in a clean, thin black font.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1ErifhaKBc/?mibextid=wwXIfr

The Senior and Disabled Fishing Derby is this Friday! We are putting the final preparations together and the weather forecast looks good. The phone is working again, but we are not doing any pre-registration for this event. Just show up after 8:00am and you can grab a cup of coffee and register in person.

When shopping in person in a store, having a stash of rubber bands on your wrist can be very helpful.

You can quickly slip a rubber band onto a can or box to help you to differentiate between items that are the same shape and size. For example, if I am buying 3 cans of soup: French onion, tomato, and chicken noodle. I would put one rubber band on the can that occurs earliest in the alphabet (c = chicken noodle), two rubber bands on the one that occurs next in alphabetical order (f – French onion), and three (or none at all) on the one that occurs last (t – tomato).

The small bands will not affect the checker’s ability to scan them and I will know exactly which is which when I get home and unpack the groceries. Once I am home, I can use whatever system works for me in my pantry, but I will not need any assistance to quickly know which can is which.

This works for boxes too, and also for any like packages such as ground meat or any items that look and feel the same. This also works for bottles such as shampoo and conditioners which are often the same shape and size. The bonus is that the rubber won’t get ruined or fall off when it gets wet so you can keep the rubber band on in the refrigerator or the shower!

https://theblindkitchen.com/use-rubber-bands-to-shop/

CVI Awareness Month 💜
September is Cortical Visual Impairment (CVI) Awareness Month—a time to raise awareness about one of the most common causes of visual impairment in children.
CVI occurs when the brain has difficulty processing visual information. A person with CVI may have healthy eyes but still experience challenges with seeing, recognizing objects, navigating spaces, or interpreting what they see.
💜 Awareness leads to understanding. 💜 Understanding leads to better support. 💜 With the right strategies and support, people with CVI can learn, grow, and thrive.
This month, help spread the word and increase understanding of CVI!

September is National Guide Dog Month! 🐾
This month, we celebrate the incredible partnerships between guide dogs and the people who rely on them every day.
Guide dogs do more than help with navigation—they support independence, confidence, mobility, and safety. Their work is built on trust, teamwork, and an extraordinary bond with their handlers.
Let’s also remember: a working guide dog is not a pet. Please don’t pet, feed, call to, or distract a guide dog while they are working. Giving them space helps guide dog teams travel safely and independently.
Today and every day, we celebrate the amazing dogs, handlers, trainers, puppy raisers, and organizations that make these life-changing partnerships possible. 💙🐕‍🦺

Living With Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) 👁️💙
Retinitis pigmentosa is a group of inherited eye conditions that can cause gradual vision loss over time. Early symptoms may include difficulty seeing at night or reduced peripheral (side) vision.
While RP can bring challenges, people living with vision loss can learn new strategies, use helpful technology, and continue doing many of the activities they enjoy.
✨ Vision may change, but independence is still possible. Support, training, and the right resources can make a meaningful difference.

Protect Your Eyes on the Field! 👁️🏀⚽
Sports are a great way to stay active, but eye injuries can happen in an instant. Balls, elbows, sticks, and other equipment can cause serious eye damage—even during recreational play.
🛡️ Protect your vision: • Wear sport-appropriate protective eyewear • Make sure protective gear fits properly • Follow safety rules and use equipment correctly • Never ignore eye pain, vision changes, or an eye injury
Your vision is worth protecting. Play hard. Play smart. Protect your eyes! 👀

As Children's Eye Health and Safety Month comes to a close, remember that healthy vision begins with awareness and regular eye care. And for those already living with vision loss, there is always hope. With training, technology, and a supportive community, people can continue to live active, meaningful, and independent lives.

Myth: People who are blind live in complete darkness. Fact: Blindness is different for everyone. Many people have some usable vision, such as light perception, central vision, or peripheral vision. Every person's experience is unique, so it's important not to make assumptions.
Learn more: https://www.nei.nih.gov

Living with vision loss is easier when you have people who understand your journey. Support groups, peer mentors, and community organizations provide encouragement, practical tips, and lasting friendships. No one should have to navigate vision loss alone.