VIP Vienna

Elizabeth testifies tomorrow.
In honor of International Albinism Awareness Day, Asante Mariamu wanted to share a powerful story with you. Elizabeth Charles lost her right hand to attackers in her village in 2015, and is now living at the Kabanga Protectorate Center. The criminal case goes to trial tomorrow, and Elizabeth is traveling over 500 kilometers to the court to testify.

We are very proud of Elizabeth, and we hope that her extraordinary bravery will result in a conviction and lengthy jail sentences for her attackers, which often does not happen. Sadly, none of Elizabeth's family would accompany her to the trial, so our wonderful Kulwa, the new matron at the Kabanga center, will be her companion. We send them off with our love and prayers for a safe and fruitful journey.

I am very grateful that we have gained three new monthly donors - we hope to make our goal of ten new supporters this week. Thank you!

Keeping Your Keys - To Drive or Not to Drive?
A milestone in a person’s life is when they get their driver’s license. Another milestone we may face, more reluctantly, is hanging up our car keys. Learn about the effects of aging on our ability to drive and how to determine when it may be time to consider modifying our driving skills or no longer be behind the wheel. Hear from Dr. Suleiman Alibhai, Director of POB’s Low Vision Learning Centers, and Tim Jones, Certified Driving Rehabilitation Specialist - together they will explore the myths and facts about aging and our ability to drive. The good news is: It is not inevitable that you or a loved one will have to stop driving! Join us for this event at Johns Hopkins University Montgomery County Campus on May 15 at 12:30 p.m.
Learn more about this event:

- To Drive or Not to Drive: Keeping Your Keys? Join POB for a FREE special event, featuring special exhibits, eye screenings and lectures!

Upcoming VIP Vienna meeting:
October 17, 2016 at 10 AM at the Patrick Henry regional library

Our October speaker is Vicki Ratcliffe, former president of the Northern Virginia Council for the blind and is now the social chairman for this organization. Vicki is a native of NoVa and has been totally blind her whole life. Her presentation next week is called "Overcoming Obstacles and Advocating for a Full Life for the Blind and Visually Impaied". Please join us as Vicki shares her rich experiences of navigating life as a blind person, and come ready to learn and share ideas and resources.

If you have any questions or concerns at all, please either contact me, Ann Koch @ [email protected] or 571-275-0292 (c), or John Cox @ [email protected] or 703-624-1748 (c)

The VI Consortium is excited to collaborate with the Metro Washington Association of Blind Athletes to host a Goalball tournament on campus Oct. 1-2 at the Cage Gym in the RAC.
This event will bring Goalball teams from a variety of places to compete in the tournament.
Goalball is a paralympic sport; highlights from the Rio 2016 Goalball games can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMP8uzaob0I
In order to make this event a success, we need volunteers to judge/score games, work registrations, and help with transportation to and from the hotel on Fairfax Blvd (Comfort Inn).
Below is a form to sign up to volunteer and a Facebook event page.
We will host a volunteer training on Thursday, Sept 29 from 7:30-9:00 to discuss game rules, volunteer positions, sight guiding techniques, dog guide etiquette, and other event information.
This meeting will be in the AT lab, Krug 102, on Mason's Fairfax campus.
Volunteer sign up:
https://drive.google.com/open…
Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1725388957720661/
Donations to the event can be made here: http://gomwaba.org/

Day 2 evening | Goalball highlights | Rio 2016 Paralympic Games Check out some of the best moments that took place on the second evening session of Goalball. For more information on the Rio 2016 Paralympic Game, please vi...

VIENNA/OAKTON (VIP)

VISION IMPAIRED RESOURCE GROUP

When: Monday, September 19, 2016

Time: 10:00 a.m. - 12 Noon

Where: Patrick Henry Library
101 Maple Avenue, Vienna, VA

Guest Speaker:
Duveen Winter: Sales Representative for Optelec, HIMS, and Zoomax.

Duveen has been in business, distributing and servicing products for the
blind and visually impaired population in Northern Virginia and the
surrounding area for 29 years. She is very knowledgeable about many helpful
visual aids, and advocates to those in the low vision community to find the
best fit for the individual to maximize his/her functionality and helps keep
clients as independent as possible. Duveen will be demonstrating the newest
technology from the companies she represents and answering any questions you
may have.

If you live in the vicinity and need a ride, please call:
The Shepherd Center: 703-281-0538 (3 days advance notice required)


For other VIP related inquiries please contact Ann Koch at 571-275-0292 or
email [email protected]. Or John Cox @ [email protected].

Next Meeting Information:
VIENNA/OAKTON (VIP)

VISION IMPAIRED RESOURCE GROUP

When: Monday, May 16, 2016

Time: 10:00 a.m. - 12 Noon

Where: Patrick Henry Library

101 Maple Ave. East, Vienna, VA 22180

Guest Speaker:

Katherine Hall, RN, MSN, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Ophthalmology, National
Eye Institute/NIH

Title of Presentation:

"Current Issues and Recent Developments in Ophthalmic Research at the
National Eye Institute"

Katherine has 17+ years of experience working in research at NIH. She would
like to share about the encouraging research studies she is privy to and
answer questions we may have about discoveries that impact the future in
ophthalmological treatments for AMD and other eye disorders.

If you live in the vicinity and need a ride, please call:
The Shepherd Center: 703-281-0538 (3 days advance notice required)

For other VIP related inquiries please contact:
Ann Koch at 571-275-0292 or email [email protected].
Or John Cox @ [email protected].

Gov. McAuliffe Tours Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe (D) spent Friday morning touring the Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind in Staunton.

Russ Williams joined the Army in 1942 and was blinded by enemy fire in 1944. As a blinded veteran, Williams went on to become an expert in the rehabilitation of blinded veterans, especially focusing on orientation and mobility. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame for the Blindness Field in 2002. More on Williams: http://www.aph.org/hall/inductees/williams/
Thank you to our veterans for your service!

Russell Williams Dedicated to preserving, honoring, and promoting the tradition of excellence manifested by individuals and the history of outstanding services provided to people who are blind or visually impaired.

VIP Vienna gladly welcomes anyone associated with blindness and visual impairment from everywhere! You do not have to be a resident of Vienna to attend; many of our friends come from all localities of Northern Virginia and beyond. After each meeting, we also go to lunch together at a local restaurant near the Patrick Henry Library! Please feel free to join us for a meeting and lunch starting in September!

Our next meeting is on September 21, 2015! We are excited to meet with everyone after our summer holiday!
VIP (Visually Impaired Persons) Vienna
3rd Monday of the month 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Patrick Henry Library
101 Maple Avenue East, Vienna.

VIP Vienna offers support groups for adults who are losing or have lost their vision. We meet regularly at the Patrick Henry Library in Vienna. Friends and family are also welcome to attend. Learning to cope with low vision and blindness is an ongoing process and support groups are often helpful.