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Living with GRACE
January 2012 Newsletter

(To download a copy in Word go to
http://www.theiris.org/livingwithgrace/lwg_01_2012.doc and please distribute widely)

The staff at The Iris Network is wishing you all a happy new year and hoping that you are all staying warm and healthy with this relatively easy winter we are having.

Here’s some news and information we hope you will find interesting and helpful:

LD 765 Update: Most of you have heard that The Iris Network is sponsoring legislation known as LD 765 that will increase the number of professionals statewide to provide direct services to people with vision loss. This bill will have been heard by the Labor, Commerce, Research and Economic Development Committee by the time you get this newsletter, but it is not too late to call your state senator and/or representative and tell them how services helped you and that we need more. Most importantly, if you live in a district of a member of the Appropriations Committee, please let them know if you think this is important. For more detailed information, please call our activity line at 518-5060 or 1-800-715-0097 x3360 or check out our website www.theiris.org.
Glaucoma month: Did you know that January is National Glaucoma Awareness month? We are reminding you that it is very important to have your eyes checked, including the pressures, on an annual basis, even if you are totally blind.

Living with GRACE classes: We are in the midst of planning an exciting year of Living with GRACE classes, beginning April 18. We are looking for your ideas of things you’d like us to present to you. Please call the activity line at 518-5060 and leave us your ideas or talk to your teacher from The Iris Network.

How can you help us? Please give us your e-mail address. Getting this newsletter and other information from The Iris Network via e-mail saves us a lot of time and money. Please be assured we will not share your e-mail with anyone not connected to The Iris Network. Please e-mail mfrancis@theiris.org with that information.

Do you have neat tips to share with others about how you have learned to do something differently as a result of your vision loss? Let us know so we can share them with everyone else. You can call them in to Ruth at 774-6273 or 1-800-715-0097,
e-mail them to rmlotek@theiris.org or call our activity line at 518-5060 and leave a message.



Recipe of the Month

Vegetarian Chili in a Crock Pot

15 ounces spicy chili beans in sauce
15 ounces pinto beans, undrained
15 ounces kidney beans, undrained
14 ½ ounces diced tomatoes
2 onions, chopped
3 tsp chili powder
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper

Add ingredients to slow cooker. Cover.
Cook on low 5-6 hours or on high for 1–1 1/2 hours.

For less spicy chili, decrease or omit the cayenne pepper.

Please expect the next newsletter in February. Please let us know if you want to be deleted from our mailing list.

Best wishes,
Staff from The Iris Network