October 2020
The Hull Foundation’s
October 15 Sight Loss Monthly News
503-668-6195
www.hullparkfortheblind.org
“The publishing of this newsletter is a service of The Oral Hull Foundation for the Blind and is not an endorsement of any contents. All products, items and other information may be used at the sole discretion of the reader.”
Editors, Hull Foundation Staff
Contents
- Mission Statement …p. 2
- One More Challenge…p. 3
- White Cane Safety Day…p. 7
- Walk Across America …p. 8
- Tip of the Month: Building Positive Thoughts …p. 10
- Gadget of the Month: Medication Reminder…p. 10
- Hull Foundation Presents …p. 12
- Workshops: “Living with Sight Loss” meetings …p. 13
- Zoom Halloween Party! …p.14
- Book Club …p. 15
- Other Book Suggestions …p. 16
- Jokes to Keep Us Laughing …p. 18
Our Mission Statement:
The mission of the Oral Hull Foundation for the Blind is to provide programs, facilities and services including social, educational, and recreational activities for people who are blind and visually impaired.
“Keeping Hope & Dreams Alive!”
*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
Address: PO Box 157, Sandy, OR 97055
43233 SE Oral Hull Road, Sandy, OR 97055
“One More Challenge” Hello Friends,
There is a word that means “persistence in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success”. Its synonyms are tenacity, patience, dedication, and determination. The word is “Perseverance” and it’s good to remind ourselves that we all have this quality.
As the weeks continue from our first discovery of COVID-19, we are presented with one more challenge after another. We feel we can’t deal with anything more. Then, we are given one MORE challenge.
The Hull Foundation wants to remind you of your quality, perseverance. You’ve used it before, many times. It helps you stand a little taller. It helps you reach out to friends to borrow a little
strength. It helps you smile at your challenges and meet them head on as you learn new ways to cope. You persevere.
There is a collection of short stories in a book called “I Hike” written by Lawton Grinter. Grinter has hiked over 10,000 miles. In fact, he has hiked the Triple Crown which includes the Pacific Crest Trail (2,650 miles), the Continental Divide (3,100 miles), and the Appalachian Trail (2,190 miles). When someone hikes one of these trails, all at once, from start to finish, they are called a “thru-hiker”. If life is our trail, aren’t we all “thru-hikers”?
There is a chapter in Grinter’s book, when he confesses that every thru-hiker comes to a point in their journey when they believe they can go no more. Every step is labored and any other activity in life seems better than the current activity, even those vowed never to do again. Sometimes, these moments are fleeting and sometimes they nag for weeks and weeks. Grinter experienced this when he was three fourths of the way through the Appalachian trail. He had completed 1,500 miles and found himself mentally done.
He explains that if we hike enough, we all come to such a point in the journey. He tells us of a thru-
hiker he met who had made a rating system, a “misery index”, for all the specific things that really made him angry. It read:
- Bugs
- No existing trail
- Hot sun
- No water/Cow soiled water
- Allergies
- Very steep trails.
It was explained that any one of these things by itself or paired with one of the others is no big deal. That was expected along the journey. If you get 3 of them together, things are getting pretty tough. Four things? Things are getting very rough. Five things? Here comes the anger. All six things? Full out cry.
When Grinter made it to his breaking point, he was hot, dirty, mosquito covered, and mentally and physically exhausted. He got off the trail, found the nearest town, called up a friend he knew who picked him up and drove him to his house. Upon arrival to his friend’s house, Grinter instantly saw a swimming pool with sparkling clear water. He straightway jumped in, clothes and all, and has since declared it to be the most refreshing
experience of his life. After spending 2 days in the pool, everything changed for him and he was ready to continue his Appalachian journey.
As a “thru-hiker” of life, how do you relate to this story? What is on your “misery index”? Does it include the coronavirus? Social seclusion? Fire evacuations? And, when you put all of that on your list, where does your sight loss fit?
Just like Grinter, we all need to lean on someone from time to time to reconnect with our inner strength. To persevere. The Hull Foundation wants you to know that we are here for just that purpose. Connect with us through our Zoom workshops, book clubs, and social events. More information on these events is found in this newsletter and they may just be your sparkling water-filled swimming pool. You may even learn that sight loss does not need to be on your misery index; keep that for the bugs and soiled water. Hope to see you on the trail!
Remember Louis D. Brandeis’ words: “Most of the things worth doing in the world had been declared impossible before they were done.”
Best Regards,
Julie and the Hull Foundation’s staff.
Celebrating White Cane Safety Day – October 15
White Cane Safety Day has been observed each October 15 since 1964. Its primary purpose is to acknowledge people who are blind or sight impaired and their use of a white cane as a tool of independence. The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) and the Portland Police Traffic Division have scheduled a crosswalk education and enforcement event on Thursday, October 15, 11am-12:30pm at the crosswalk on SE Belmont and SE 48th Avenue, in front of the SE Multicultural Services Center. Education and safety awareness of Oregon Law regarding pedestrians using white canes is the primary purpose. Oregon crosswalk law (ORS811.028 and .35) states that “Motorists are required to stop and stay stopped for pedestrians in a marked or unmarked crosswalk when the pedestrian is in the motorist’s lane or the adjacent lane. Motorists are required to stop curb to curb for a person who is blind and deaf, who is carrying a white cane or accompanied by a dog guide and is crossing, or about to cross a roadway.” Quote from Portland Bureau of Transportation.
Hull Park Sight Loss Instructors will be on Zoom calls this same day with PBOT to support safety education.
Walk Across America
We made it!
Our activity group has “walked” all the way from Lincoln City, Oregon to Cape Cod, Massachusetts and back!
Thanks to sponsors of our trip we have raised $3,328! This means a great deal to us! As a non-profit during COVID-19, we have had greater than normal financial challenges. We are so grateful to those who sponsored and supported our walking group! These funds have been used to support the virtual workshops with instructor costs and supplies for various activities.
You can join us for our Walk Across America Zoom Welcome Home and Blow-out Party! Anyone can join this Zoom call to join in the celebration!
When: Wednesday, October 7. 10:00-11:00am
Where: Zoom Meeting ID# is: 860-4573-6164.
If you are unfamiliar with Zoom calls, call the office at 503-668-6195 for instructions.
Now, the question remains: Why stop moving? Where do we go next? The British Isles? A European country? Australia? The Moon? Let us know!
How our Walks work:
Any kind of exercise or hobby time works! 20 minutes of activity equals 1 mile. Gardening? Housework? Jogging? Walking? Anything that gets you moving! Just call the office between 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm and leave a message with the amount of time you clocked (moved) or the miles you walked. We do the rest. We will let you know where we are “walking” next and give you all the specifics! If you want to be included in our walks you can phone us at 503-668-6195. Or email at oralhull@gmail.com.
Tip of the Month: Building Positive Thoughts
“Attitude is a choice. … Don’t be pushed around by the fears in your mind”. Anonymous
“The secret of getting ahead is getting started. The secret of getting started is breaking your complex overwhelming tasks into small, manageable tasks, and then starting on the first one.” —Mark Twain
Gadgets of the Month: Medication Reminders
Keeping track of medications can be difficult for most of us. For those of you who have the ability to download apps, (and those who want to learn…) this might be the answer to keep track of what, when and how to take your medication. 1. Medisafe Medication Reminder
This medicine reminder is a simple smartphone app, and one that can help manage numerous people’s medications thanks to multiple profiles. It also tracks your prescriptions and reminds you when it is time for a refill.
Medisafe is a free app for iOS and Android and has received four and a half stars on their respective app stores.
If you’re not into adding apps to your phone, this next resource may suit your needs.
2. TabTime Vibe Vibrating Pill Timer Reminder
If adherence to your med timetable is a problem because of general forgetfulness, you may want to try a more modern version of the classic plastic pill case.
The TabTime Vibe Vibrating Pill Timer Reminder has five compartments with different alarms that beep and vibrate when it is time to take your medicine. Just 1 inch high and just over 3 inches in diameter, it fits easily into a jacket pocket, purse, or backpack.
For more information on these and other similar products, check out: https://medqpillbox.com/best-pill-reminder-devices/
What’s Happening at The Hull Foundation?
Virtual Meetings:
Meet Friends during our online/over-the-phone meetings that are semi-social and educational.
First Wednesdays Hull Foundation Presents…
When: Oct. 7 Accessible Voting
Where: Zoom Meeting
Time: 1:00 p.m.
Call for Zoom sign in info or email to:
Jennifer@hullparkfortheblind.org
Third Wednesdays Hull Foundation Presents…
When: Oct. 21 The Guide Dog Lifestyle
Where: Zoom Meeting
Time: 10:00 a.m.
Call for Zoom sign in info or email to:
Jennifer@hullparkfortheblind.org
If you have a topic you would like to present, let us
know!
Workshops: “Living with Sight Loss”
Tips and resources for those new to vision loss.
Hosted on the first and third Tuesdays of each month from 10:00 A.M. to 11:30 A.M. via Zoom. They are free and are a 1-hour presentation followed by 30 minutes of discussion on various topics. We also send helpful supplies, if appropriate, which complement the discussion to those who sign up early.
Don’t shy away due to technology! You can use your touch phone or, if you have access to other technology, we will help you become comfortable joining these meetings with “practice runs” before the meeting date. It all begins with a phone call! 503-668-6195
Our next “Living with Sight Loss” Workshop
When: October 6, at 10:00 A.M.
Topic: “Magnification”
Summary: We will discuss the different kinds of magnification and equipment, plus simple
techniques to hold magnifiers, Functional Vision Assessments and the professionals who give them, and what type of magnification you can access with a smartphone. Have your magnification aids next to you during the meeting as we may give you some specific tips for your devices.
Future Topics
Future topics include Safety in Your Home, Home Orientation, Connecting with Others with Technology, Tools for Walking Safely, The Power of the Mobility Cane, Maintaining Hobbies, Games, and Getting Ready for the Holidays.
Social Event for Halloween
We are going to have a Zoom Halloween Party! Celebrate Halloween with your decorated descriptive mask, scariest stories, scariest Halloween Memory. Cash prizes! Costumes optional!
When: Friday, October 30
Time: 6:00-8:00pm
Call for Zoom sign in info or email to:
Jennifer@hullparkfortheblind.org
Reading in the Dark, our Book Club, meets on the first and third Thursday of each month from 10:00 – 11:30 A.M. It is especially important to RSVP at least 1 day before the event. (503) 668-6195
When: Thurs., October 15, 2020
Time: 10:00 a.m.
Call for Zoom sign in info or email to:
Jennifer@hullparkfortheblind.org
The selection for the next book we are reading is “The Celestine Prophecy” by James Redfield. BARD #DB38075.
This virtual book club gathers online. If you want to join us, it will be easier if you already have the Zoom app downloaded onto your smartphone or computer. Does this sound like a different language? It’s okay, give us a call before that day and we can help you get started. (503) 668-6195.
Other Book suggestions
The following book title starts with a DB number. This is a catalog number given when using the free Talking Book service through the National Library Service. Don’t have Talking Books yet or need to sign up for BARD, their online book library? Call them at 1-888-657-7323
Here are a couple suggestions made by staff or by our Book Club members. Did you have a great read recently? Share it with us and we’ll put it in the newsletter.
· “I Hike” by Lawton Grinter.
A compelling collection of short stories that have been over 10 years and 10,000 miles in the making. It will make you laugh, cry, cringe and leave you wanting more. Sadly, this book is not available through
NLS Talking Books, but you can get it with Kindle, Audible, and Nook Book (eBook).
- “The Prayer Box” by Lisa Wingate.
BARD #DB94892
When Iola Anne Poole passes away at ninety-one, the young mother in her Hatteras Island rental cottage, Tandi Jo Reese, takes on the task of cleaning out Iola’s house. Tandi discovers eighty-one carefully decorated prayer boxes, one for each year, dating from Iola’s youth to her last days.
Want more? Join our Book Club!
Call our office:503-668-6195
Jokes to Keep Us Laughing!
Here are some jokes to keep us laughing this month…
Why did the kid throw his clock out the window?
- Because he wanted to see time fly!
Why are fish so smart?
- Because they live in schools!
What do you call a cheese that’s not yours?
- Nacho cheese!
The End, thanks for reading!