 |
|
|
|
Clinic Breaks Down Barriers, Rebuilds Lives . . .
In 2005, the Iris Network opened the Low Vision Clinic to provide comprehensive services to people struggling with vision loss. The Clinic takes a unique approach, providing medical assessments of remaining vision and the best visual aids and devices for each person, as well as individualized follow-up programs of vision rehabilitation. Today, the Clinic has made a difference in hundreds of lives and is poised to achieve new growth. The prescribed aids and devices include task lighting, lenses, telescopes, magnifiers, and more. Clinic Coordinator John Majkut and the vision rehabilitation team follow up on evaluations conducted by Medical Director Dr. A. Jan Berlin and fellow ophthalmologist Dr. Stuart McGuire with training, education, and support. This approach can produce wonderful changes. Life can be transformed when a person is trained to use newly-prescribed visual aids and devices in his or her own environments and develops adaptive skills to master key challenges and tasks. One of the strengths of the Clinic is that it supports people who want to recover the capacity to read. Reading is essential to a secure and pleasurable life, and the single loss of the ability to read can lead to isolation. Many activities, from enjoying a birthday card to examining a bill and writing a check, slip away for someone who cannot read, and losing access to basic tasks diminishes confidence, capacity, and the sense of participation in life. Thus, people can descend into a downward spiral. However, the Low Vision Clinic aspires to break down the barriers of vision loss by exploring adaptive options and, when possible, rebuilding the capacity to read. . . . and Adds Staff
The Iris Network is delighted that we have been able to add two highly qualified, talented staff members to our Clinic team. John Majkut, MS OTR/L is the Low Vision Clinic Coordinator. John has a bachelor’s degree in social and behavioral sciences and a master’s degree in occupational therapy from the University of Southern Maine. “Meeting with clients, both in the Clinic and in their homes, is by far what I love most,” says John about his new job. Seeing someone light up when they do something they never thought they could do—that’s what excites me.” Stuart W. McGuire, M.D. also joined the Clinic’s medical team. Dr. McGuire, an optometrist and an ophthalmologist, has been with Maine Eye Center since 1995. A pioneer in low vision services as early as the 1970s, he worked to give people with the most serious eye conditions great attention and support. “Low vision is a passion for me,” he says," and working at the Low Vision Clinic is the culmination of my professional life. I am very excited about this opportunity and look forward to being of service to clients.” Please help the Iris Network spread the word about this unique Maine resource. For more information on the Low Vision Clinic, contact John at 207-774-6273. 10th Annual Golf Classic
“I play in six or so golf events a year, and the Iris Network Golf Classic is one of the best. The event is well-run, and everyone in our group always enjoys themselves. Put us down for 2008.” — Matt McKenzie, AAA For more information, registration form, list of sponsors, sponsorship opportunities and more visit our website at www.theiris.org or call Terri at 774-6273. |
