Living with GRACE May 2012 Newsletter

Living with GRACE

Please join us on Wednesday, May 16 from 10 – 12 to learn about adaptive methods for planting and caring for your garden (whether it is indoors or out). Even with limited or no vision, you can learn how to:

• Tell the difference between a seedling and a weed
• Re-pot or plant in a straight line
• Deal with garden pests
• Use containers for gardening
• Organize your tools
• And much more

Come and share your “green thumb” experiences.

Please rsvp by May 9 at 774-6273, 1-800-715-0097 or rmlotek@theiris.org.

Optional brown bag lunch to follow.

We are suggesting a $5.00 donation for this workshop.  Please do not let the inability to pay keep you from coming.

Phi Theta Kappa Walk

A small, but dedicated group of students and family members participated in the second walk for the Iris Network sponsored by the Phi Theta Kappa Society of the York County Community College, this past Saturday, April 14th, at the Wells High School track. 

Diane Dense, who is a student at the college and a member of the honors society, coordinated the walk for the second year in a row.  Diane has benefitted from our services and is committed to doing her part to give back to the agency. 

The elements were in place for a successful event…..the weather was beautiful with a lovely breeze coming off the ocean.  Cogdon Donuts of Wells donated a wonderful variety of festive donuts and... Continue Reading

Camp Jack and Linda Beveridge

14^th Annual

Camp Jack & Linda Beveridge

July 20,21 & 22 - 2012

Phone Activity Line

We are instituting a new activities phone number. You are now able to call 518-5060 or 1-800-715-0097 x3360 and listen to a recording about upcoming events. You will also be able to leave us a message saying which events you want to attend and enter a periodic contest. We will change the message at the beginning of every month and give you information for that month. As this service grows, we will do it more often. If you would like you can try the number now.

Jitterbug Customers can now receive medication reminders

Jitterbug Customers can now receive medication reminders:

GreatCall, the makers of the Jitterbug cell phone recently announced their new Medication Reminders service.  This service is available to Jitterbug customers for an additional $5.00 per month. That's a 50% savings off the current monthly fee.  But hurry, this offer ends soon!

The customer will submit a list of medications, times to be taken and renewal dates.  An operator will call the customer when it is time to take a pill.  The name of the medication, how many pills, etc., will be relayed.  If the person doesn't answer the phone, or contact cannot be made, that will also be recorded.  Prescription refills can also be... Continue Reading

Independence With Out Fear

Independence With Out Fear

The Iris Network, the Division for the Blind and Visually Impaired, the Division for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing & Late Deafened, the University of Southern Maine Linguistics Department, Helen Keller National Center and consumers have been meeting for over a year to develop a Support Service Provider (SSP) Program for people, in the State of Maine, who are deaf-blind/dual sensory impaired. This program has been named, "Independence With Out Fear."  The mission of this program is to recruit, train and maintain a database of specially trained volunteers who can facilitate communication for people with significant vision and hearing impairments.

People with dual... Continue Reading

Fall 2011 Newsletter

Summer / Fall 2011

Potter Gets Her Life Back

Melody Bonnema

Melody and her husband have owned a pottery studio in Bethel, Maine, adjacent to their home, since 1974. Approximately three and a half years ago, Melody, a potter since 1969, was involved in a serious car accident that drastically changed and disrupted her life. She suffered traumatic brain injury with numerous other complications. Emerging from a coma and having to deal with the many injuries, the re-training and challenges brought upon her due to the accident was not an easy road. Also, Melody was faced with yet another adversity – increased pressure inside the brain from trauma causing double vision in her left eye known... Continue Reading

York County Demo Day

Resource and Demonstration Day for People with Vision Loss

Where:    York County Community College, Wells, Maine
When:     October 6, 2011
Time:       11:30 – 5:30 Open House
Cost:       Admission is free. Lunch and beverages are available for purchase.
What:      Come and learn about new products and services for people who are visually impaired/blind.  Attend sessions on:  The iPhone, iPod, digital audio books and telecommunications equipment. 

There will be a raffle and some give-aways.

Here’s who has confirmed:

• The Iris Network: Vision Rehabilitation Therapy, Access Technology and Employment Services, Community Connections, The Low Vision Clinic and
... Continue Reading

Growing up is all about experience

Jacob is a typical high school student – he loves sports, music and school dances. Like most high school students, he wanted a summer job to earn some money of his own and to get some work experience for the future. In this tough economy, many young people are having a hard time finding work, particularly students like Jacob who have total blindness.

Judy Wolfe, a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor at the Division for the Blind and Visually Impaired (DBVI), knew Jacob needed some assistance in finding a summer job. Judy referred him to the Job Training Project at The Iris Network. "Summer jobs are so important in helping us all learn what we like and don't like in the work world. I... Continue Reading

Maine AIRS brings newspaper stories to vision-impaired

John Steadman, a resident of Robbinston who gradually began to lose his vision as he grew older, has been listening to an audio broadcast program of local, regional and statewide newspaper articles through Maine AIRS for two years now. "As long as it's on the air, it's on in the house," he says.