May 23 - Club Meeting

Our speaker today was Mark Dahlberg, a Community Service Specialist with Vision Loss Resources (VLR).  We learned that this organization is that which was formerly known as the Society For The Blind.  For more than 100 years, VLR has been the leading provider of services to support individuals with vision loss - defined as impairment that is not correctable and which impacts daily activities.  Ultimately 1 in 20 people will suffer from this, which can have major implications for people as well as for their family, friends or care givers.  VLR specialists provide instruction in adaptive living skills, magnification, technology and mobility.  They work 1:1 with individuals to develop a service plan that is unique to that person's needs.  Mark stressed that it is important to have regular checkups since vision loss can occur gradually and be imperceptible to the individual for a long period of time.  It can cause people to retreat from activities once enjoyed, like playing cards or going out with friends.  This loss of social contact is damaging and often unnecessary when there are aids that could help.  VLR has many volunteers but is in need of many more to assist with reading, shopping assistance, and driving.  There are 2 centers in the Twin Cities - 1 in Minneapolis and 1 in St. Paul.  Financial support is provided by individual gifts and by a grant from the MN Department of Human Services.