October 2024
The Hull Foundation
Monthly Sight Loss News
Serving the Sight loss and Blind
Community since 1962
Website: hullflc.org
PH: 503.668.6195
“The publishing of this newsletter is a service of The Hull Foundation and Learning Center Inc. It is not an endorsement of any of its contents. All products, items and other information may be used at the sole discretion of the reader.”
Edited by Hull Foundation Staff
Contents
Mission Statement …p. 3
Making Impossible Thinking Possible…p. 4
“ABAPITA” article…p. 7
Reading in the Dark Book Club…p. 8
Food Beyond the Recipe…p. 11
Poem by Tina …p. 16
The Assistive Technologist…p.17
Hull Foundation Events and Seminars…p. 19
Hull Foundation Presents Zoom Meetings…p.21
Tina’s Off the cuff…p.23
Did you Know…p. 25
Jokes to Keep you Laughing …p. 26
Contact Us…p. 27
Our Mission Statement:
The mission of the Hull Foundation and Learning Center is to provide programs, facilities and services including social, educational, and recreational activities for people with blindness and sight loss.
*If you would prefer to receive this newsletter by email, or to unsubscribe, please call the Hull Foundation at 503.668.6195 or send an email to: oralhull@gmail.com
Making “Impossible” Thinking Possible
Part 1 of 3
Teresa Christian
“For the world is full of zanies and fools who don’t believe in sensible rules, and don’t believe what sensible people say,” wrote Rodgers & Hammerstein, in their lyrics to the 1964 movie Cinderella. “And because these daft and dewy-eyed dopes keep building up impossible hopes, impossible things are happening every day!”
While most of us are not concerned with turning pumpkins into carriages, our businesses and our lives could be transformed just as powerfully by thinking “impossible” thoughts.
Think about it: How can things ever change—how can business, science, or society innovate
solutions to world dilemmas? How can our personal lives change trajectories—if we can only imagine what has been possible up to now? We might try to fix problems through automation, motivation, and process improvement. But these efforts will stagnate until we change our mental models.
Everything in the world started with someone having a thought: Every chair, every bicycle, refrigerator, washer and drier, every kind of light, lamp, microscope, telescope, paper clip, pen, pencil, window, door, printing press, computer, printer, cell phone, etc. had to first be imagined by someone. Mostly inventors and visionaries are laughed at by folks because most people have a difficult time imagining something new, totally new, outside the box, to imagine the impossible.
Our perspectives, the lenses through which we perceive and understand the world, affect all that we see and do. Problems occur when those perspectives become rigid and function more like prison bars, keeping us locked in set mental models, routines, and behaviors. We are trapped inside the box and sometimes it is difficult to see a window or door. Finding the key to unlocking the door can at times be an impossible challenge.
What would happen if we broke out of the prison of those perspectives? What new patterns and relationships would we notice? What new actions would we take?
Stay tuned for part 2 when we talk about how you can create the shift that will make a difference.
ABAPITA
BY Marja Byers, SLI
ABAPITA- Ain’t Blindness A Pain in The…. Anatomy! These are stories about things that can happen to those of us with little or no sight. When we tell each other, they can be very funny!
This is from Melanie in Oregon.
“A number of years ago, I was volunteering for the summer program at the Oregon School for the Blind, working with some of the high school students. One day I took three students on a walk to the downtown mall to get lunch at the food court. We had all agreed-on Subway, which was great because I had their menu memorized! As we stood in front of the counter, and I explained their choices we could hear the employees talking quietly behind the counter.
Finally, one of them sheepishly said, “Um, this is Baskin and Robbins, Subway is 2 doors down.” ABAPITA!
If you have an ABAPITA that you would like to share in our newsletter, email them to oralhull@gmail.com with ABAPITA in the subject line.
Reading in the Dark Book Club
By Marja Byers, SLI
In September we read “How to Age Disgracefully” by Clare Pooley, DB122051, and
“The Good Lord Bird” by James McBride, DB77431. “How to Age Disgracefully” was a fun
read that provided a number of “laugh out loud” moments for me and was the fun Labor Day weekend read that I wanted. “The Good Lord Bird” is historical fiction about slavery and abolition so I was expecting a very serious book. I must admit that James McBride surprised me with his infusion of humor. We all had fun with “Disgracefully” and were impressed with “Good Lord Bird.”
Our books for October:
10/8 “The Art of Racing in the Rain” by Garth Stein, DB66787, 9:11.
“A heart-wrenching, but deeply funny and ultimately uplifting story of family, love, loyalty,
and hope, The Art of Racing in the Rain’ is a beautifully crafted, and captivating look at the
wonders and absurdities of human life…as only a dog could tell it.”
10/22 “The Frozen River” by Ariel Lawton, DB117781, 15:08.
“When the Kennebec River freezes, entombing a man in the ice, Martha Ballard is summoned to examine the body and determine the cause of death. As a midwife and healer, she is privy to much of what goes on behind closed doors in Hallowell.”
We hope to see you at Reading in the Dark!
Curry Cottage Pie
By Desiree Christian
Servings 4
Ingredients
2 tbsp curry powder
1 1/3 beef stock
1 splash Worcestershire sauce
2 large baking potatoes
3 parsnips
2 (ish) tbsp milk
1 tsp cumin seeds
1 onion
1 clove garlic
1 carrot
2 sticks celery
2 bay leaves
1tbsp oil
1 bunch fresh thyme
1 lb. ground beef
1 tbsp flour
1 squeeze tomato puree
Instructions
1. PREP AND FRY THE VEG
Peel and finely chop the onion, garlic, carrot, and celery before frying in a deep pan with a shot of oil with the bay leaves.
2. ADD THE BEEF
Strip the leaves from the thyme and add to the pan with the raw beef mince. Cook until the mince is browned. Stir in the flour, tomato puree and curry powder.
3. ADD THE LIQUID
Add the stock and Worcestershire sauce, bring it to a simmer and allow to bubble gently for an hour.
4. PREHEAT THE OVEN
Preheat the oven to 200°C.
5. BOIL THE POTS AND PARSNIPS
Peel and cut the potatoes into chunks and do the same with the parsnips, remembering to core them if the centers are very woody. Submerge both in a pan of cold salted water and bring it to the boil.
6. SMASH THE ROOTS
Simmer for 20 minutes until cooked, then drain and return to the dry pan. Splash in the milk and spoon in the cumin before mashing until smooth.
7. SPOON MASH ONTO THE BEEF
Tip the beef mix into a deep roasting tray so it fills the dish then splodge the spiced
parsnip potato mixes over the top… no need to be neat!
8. BAKE AND SERVE!
Bake in the oven for 15 minutes to gain a crisp golden top and serve with some steamed veg.
Picture Description:
The Blind Chef Debra Demo at the Intro to Sight Loss Seminar demonstrates of cooking utensils for those with blindness and sight loss.
Poems
By Tina Christian, Sight loss Instructor
The Witch
A ghost saying boo
A witch flying to get you
A spell on you boo
Pumpkin
I carved you happy
Your jack-o-lantern smile lies
Teeth cut thy finger!
Black Cat
I see you outside
Flying, booing, creeping, fun—
Halloween calls me
The Assistive Technologist
By Patrick Burton, CEO of Benvision
Hi, I am Patrick, a volunteer staff member at Hull Foundation. If you have been to a Hull retreat recently, we have likely crossed paths – whether sharing a delicious meal at Rainbow Lodge, getting absolutely soaked in a jet boat or river raft, or teaming up for one of Tina’s whacky games.
Over the past year and a half, my company, Benvision, has been working on new ways to enhance independence for the blind community. Many of you have contributed valuable feedback through focus groups, helping shape our apps.
I am so excited to announce that our latest app, Speakaboo, is now live on the Apple App Store. Speakaboo offers real-time descriptions of objects and scenes and allows you to ask
questions about your surroundings using simple gestures. It is fast, free, and easy to use.
If you have an iPhone, please search for “Speakaboo” on the App Store and try it. We are constantly updating the app, but we know the best way for us to improve it is by listening to your feedback.
If you have any questions or suggestions, please email them to me at patrick@ben.vision.
To learn more about the work my team is doing, listen to us on the latest episode of the podcast On Tech & Vision with Dr. Cal Roberts, at https://ben.vision/ontech
Until next month,
Patrick
Hull Foundation Upcoming Events and Seminars:
October 14th – Office Closed in observance of Indigenous Peoples Day
October 15th– 18th Monster Mash retreat (Cancelled)
October 25th– 26th Haunted house and Trunk or Treat Fundraiser – looking for volunteers now!
November 20th– 23rd Cooking Sight Loss Seminar.
November 28th– 29th – Office Closed in observance of Thanksgiving Day
December 3rd– 6th Advanced Sight Loss Seminar
December 17th– 21st Winter Getaway, spots are available. Call office for details.
December 23rd– Jan 4th – Office closed.
If you are interested in any of our social getaways, one day fun days, seminars, and recreational retreats, please contact our office and sign up! Spots fill up very quickly, so jump in with both feet, save your spot and come out to Hull Park!
If you would like to volunteer as staff or sponsor an event, please contact the office at 503.668.6195.
Picture Description:
Peaches, raspberries, plums, and apples from the Fruit Loop One Day Fun Day Adventure.
Hull Foundation and Learning Center
Trunk or treat and haunted house
October 25th and 26th, 2024 4pm to 8pm
Volunteers needed for Halloween Characters & Trunk or Treat
Please call the office for more information
Phone: 503.668.6195
43233 SE Oral Hull rd. Sandy, OR 97055
Ages 16 and up for volunteers
Hull Foundation Presents Zoom Meetings:
Current zoom meetings will include topics on tech, cooking, crafting, book club, supporting loved ones of people with sight loss or blindness and a class on forgetfulness that has been a favorite. Bring a friend or spouse, sighted or not!!
If you would like to sign up to receive a weekly email with the weekly zoom schedule and links to the meetings, please email the office at oralhull@gmail.com or call us at 503-668-6195. If you are not an email user, then you can call us on Mondays to receive that week’s classes and
the call-in number and meeting ID number for meetings you are interested in attending via phone.
Off the Cuff – Film with Tina
October 24th 7pm
Hi all, I am looking forward to our next film zoom chat. A friendly reminder- be aware that there may be sensitive subject matter within the films we discuss and to please show respect to others as everyone expresses their opinions during our discussion. Thanks! The following is on tap for October – Halloween comedy to thriller—
Questions to ponder and discuss- What are the themes of each movie? How did each film build tension and suspense? How do I process my feelings after watching each movie? What is your favorite horror movie? What was the last horror movie that actually scared you—what genre of horror was it: comedy, slasher, psychological, supernatural, or gore?
- 1. We Have a Ghost (2023 Netflix) A family discovers a ghost in their house.
- 2. Fear Street 1994 Part 1 (2021 Netflix) A group of teens try to uncover why their town is a Mecca for slayings. A homage to mid-eighties and nineties horror.
- 3. Zombieland (2009 Netflix) A virus takes out most of humankind and leaves people as zombies. The remaining humans left try to make it to the safety of Los Angeles.
- 4. In the Tall Grass (2019 Netflix) A brother and sister are driving across the country. They stop and hear a boy crying out for help in the tall grass.
Did you know?...
Be my eyes, in partnership with Meta, are bringing their award-winning technology to Ray-Ban smart glasses. For more information check out their blog at be.myeyes.com
Tune in to KATU news at 6 pm on October 25th to see our Sight Loss Instructors interview for the “Everyday Heroes” segment! Congratulations!
Jokes to Keep you Laughing…or Groaning!
Q. Why was the Jack-o-Lantern afraid?
A. It had no guts!
Q. Why did the apple pie cry?
A. Because its peelings were hurt!
Q. What is a spider’s favorite October pastime?
A. Fly fishing!
Stay well, stay safe, and stay happy!
Contact Us:
The Hull Foundation and Learning Center
Phone: 503-668-6195
Email: oralhull@gmail.com
Website: hullflc.org
Visit us on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/OralHullPark/?notif_id=1631758417290618¬if_t=page_user_activity&ref=notif
On Instagram: www.instagram.com/hull_foundation/