‘ March 17 – St. Patrick’s Day! The shamrock as a symbol of Ireland and St. Patrick’s Day is partly due to the natural abundance of clover plants in the country, but largely due to its strong association with Christianity.
Legend says that St. Patrick used the shamrock to visually illustrate the concept of the Trinity (the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit) when trying to convert polytheistic pagans to Christianity.
March, 2021
T he Hull Foundation’s
Sight Loss
#
Monthly
News
503–668–6195
“The publishing of this newsletter is a service of The Oral Hull Foundation for the Blind and 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.”
Editors, Hull Foundation Staff
Contents
- Mission Statement …p. 2
- A Message from the Board President …p. 3
- Welcome new Sight Loss Instructors….p. 6
- Walk Across CANADA …p. 10
- Tip of the Month: Eye Health …p. 12
- Gadget of the Month: Plates…p. 15
- Reading in the Dark Book Club …p. 16
- Great Tips from Friends… 17
- Hull Foundation Presents Zoom Meetings–2021 March Zoom Schedule…p. 18
- Jokes to Keep Us Laughing …p. 25
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
A message from the new President of our Board of Directors – Jeannemarie Moore:
At the last Board meeting at the Hull Foundation, I was elected President of the Board. Tony Lewis was elected as Vice President. We are both blind, though our sight levels are different. I maintain that everyone, no matter what level of sight, we all have “vision” and that is where the Hull Foundation’s tag line of “Keeping Hope and Dreams Alive” comes from. Inside you. From your heart’s guidance. And so, we proceed as best we can along many different paths to get what we need and get where we are going. Other officers were elected, and they are totally wonderful, so I’ll give them more space later in another article. I was hesitant to take this on because it’s a big task to “inspire” people to action. I called one of my mentors today and she suggested I’m an idea person and she has a lot of confidence
in me. I’m glad for that. She’s been an Executive Director and a Board President, so I’ll consult with her gratefully! The Hull Foundation has made a few creative changes throughout this pandemic. “Hull Foundation Presents” virtual Zoom classes have been put in place to help fill the gaps of the “Living with Sight Loss” seminars which used to be done in person at our park facility in Sandy, Oregon, and other convenient locations around the state.
If you want the Zoom class topics and links, which are sent out by e-mail on Monday afternoons, please email the office at oralhull@gmail.com or call (503) 668–6195.
Most of our virtual classes are about daily living skills, technology, safety at home and while out and about, and a Thursday chat group about sight loss and how it is going for you. I learned that the Foundation has lost about $250,000 in revenue based on rentals to the general public, cancelled fundraisers, and other events as a result of the pandemic. Without the dedicated volunteers and Payroll Protection Program loans from the federal government, there would be very little happening, and our doors would have closed and our services unavailable.
Eye care professionals are referring a lot of people to us and that is so wonderful. That means the word is getting out.
Another upcoming change is Sharon Elder, the Executive Director, who has been beyond ultimate in her work, is retiring and leaving as of April 30, 2021. She stayed on for two extra years and has been a leader throughout this pandemic. It has been an inspiration for me to experience her leadership. Another person will be succeeding her but not replacing her. That would be impossible. If you have ever been to our park or attended any virtual Zoom classes, then you know what a good person and heartful dreamer she is! I am looking forward to assisting where I can and enjoying this new community of people!
Please Welcome 2 New Sight Loss Instructors
Carrie Muth – I am excited to join the team as a sight loss instructor. I live on the beautiful coast of Oregon in Coos Bay. My adult children & grandchildren are a huge part of my life. I was declared legally blind at the age of 14; I had a tough adjustment. I have had some crazy adventures over the last 36 plus years and my vision loss has opened amazing opportunities in my life.
Coos Bay, Oregon is my home town. My Dad’s job brought us to New Mexico for 18 months during my 8th grade years of school where I was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa. This is a hereditary disease that has not occurred in my family before. I have gradually lost vision & currently don’t see much.
I was the first person in my family to attend college; I earned an associate degree in computer information systems & a bachelor’s in business management. Being legally blind opened the opportunity to further my education & has led me to over 25 years of an amazing career.
As a teenager, I would become frustrated when sighted people told me that they understood what I was going through. For the past 25 years, I have worked with many people with vision loss helping them learn skills to increase their independence. Being visually impaired myself, I understand the challenges of living life in the sighted world. I may not know the exact situation that you are going through, but I understand the frustrations and challenges of adjusting to vision loss.
In addition to working with people with vision loss, I have been helping people with many different disabilities find employment over the past 5 years. I really enjoy watching people grow & become more independent.
I look forward to this new adventure in life; working with Hull Foundation & Learning Center to assist people to adjust to their vision loss & live full, amazing lives.
Please also welcome Meagan Moore –
I am excited to be joining the team here at Hull Foundation and Learning Center for Adults with Blindness and Sight Loss. I was diagnosed with Usher syndrome ten years ago, which is the leading genetic cause of deaf/blindness. It is a combination of retinitis pigmentosa and sensorineural hearing loss. I was working as a Registered Nurse, and as many of you have experienced, vision loss can launch you into an unexpected journey. I am married to my high school sweetheart and we have three young kids. I strive to keep my hopes and dreams alive, despite my progressive disabilities. I plan to bring my personal experiences, nursing knowledge, and my indomitable spirit to my work with the Hull Foundation. I look forward to connecting with this community!
Walk Across the Canada
Our next virtual “Walk Across…” will be starting March 1st, 2021! The votes were counted and there was a 3-way tie for 3rd, 4th, and 5th places: Africa, Australia, and Switzerland. It was close between Italy and Canada with the winner being: Canada!!
We have multiple writers so the daily narrations will be exciting and full of surprises! I hope to hear that many of our usual walkers are signing up, along with many new faces. If you are new to our virtual Walk Across adventures, we ask that you phone or email at the end of each day with your mileage into our office. A “mile” is equal to 20 minutes of any activity that gets you moving! We also ask walkers to find sponsors (for any amount) to help support our non-profit and the loss of income due to the pandemic. Our last two walks (Walk Across America and Walk Across the United Kingdom) raised over $7000! This has helped to keep our doors open!
The walk will begin at midnight on Feb 28th
, everyone is requested to join us on the beach in Lincoln City, Oregon although we are not opposed to picking up walkers in Washington along the way. Or you can join us at any time! This walk will be somewhat different, and you will find out more once we begin. Please feel free to invite your family and friends to walk with us! The more the merrier!
If you need additional information please call the office with your questions, comments, and sponsorship information. We accept credit cards either via phone or on our website, at
. However, no one is turned away because sponsorships are not available to you. See you soon!
Tip of the Month: Eye Health
We just completed a Zoom class on 2.24.21 about eye health. Our Sight Loss Instructor, Marja Byers, gave a very informative presentation. She began with the question: “Why is maintaining eye health important if you have already lost some or all of your sight? She went on to say that an examination by an eye care professional can often detect underlying conditions that effect other parts of your body.
Getting an annual dilated eye exam can ensure problems or concerns are caught as early as possible, often before you have symptoms. In addition, there are several things you can do to protect your eye health.
– Enjoy a diet rich in a variety of fruits and vegetables (especially carrots and dark leafy greens). Also include fish such as salmon, tuna, and halibut, which are high in omega-3 fatty acids. – Wear sunglasses that block both UV-A and UV-B rays when outdoors. – Quit smoking or never start. – Maintain a healthy weight or lose weight if you are overweight. – Get the recommended amount of daily exercise for health. – Use protective eyewear for sports and for job-related activities. These items are designed to prevent eye injury from trauma or exposure to toxic agents. – Be cautious when rubbing your eyes. Make sure your hands are clean to avoid infection. – Work with your healthcare provider to manage high blood pressure and diabetes. – Take a break when using a screen or doing any other activity requiring ongoing eye focus. Remember 20/20/20: Every 20 minutes, look away at least 20 feet ahead of you for 20 seconds. – Remember to ask your eye care professional questions related to your overall health when in for an exam.
Gadget of the Month: Dishes that Make Sense!
During one of our Zoom calls about eating the subject came up about keeping food from skittering off your plate while trying to probe it with a fork or spoon. One of our guests said that she found dinner plates with about a quarter of an inch lip all the way around! No more food jumping ship! You can find sets of 6–10-inch plates on Amazon for anywhere from $18 on up. Ceramic, plastic, bamboo, or other materials of your choice! Most any local store that carries housewares will also carry these products although the choices may be limited. And speaking of Amazon, if you buy products online you can type in the words Amazon Smile in the search bar and enter our name, Oral Hull Foundation for the Blind, and then we will receive a small donation, and this will not increase the cost of your purchase. This is a convenient and harmless way to support our newsletter and our numerous monthly programs for the betterment of the those with sight loss. If you have any great gadgets that help you despite sight loss, let us know and we will be happy to share your information.
“Reading in the Dark” Book Club
When: Tuesdays, March 9th and 23rd at 10:00am.
In February we read “When Things Fall Apart” by Pema Chodron DB 53374, discussed our favorite books we have been reading and chose new books for the future book club meetings.
Summary: Tibetan Buddhist Pema Chodron provides a guide to thriving in the face of a fundamentally groundless and painful world.
Join us for a fun hour of discussion and comradery! We also talk about other book suggestions. Come prepared to have fun and get new ideas for great books to read! All Bard friendly!
Great Tips From our Sight Loss Friends From Rantu, in Oregon: I saw an ad on TV for this method of watching movies or TV for the visually impaired – an app on Spectrum that narrates the action in a movie that’s playing, so you can listen (with earbuds or a smart phone) while others also watch as a movie plays. So, the movie becomes a hybrid audiobook, sort of. Can’t vouch for it, but – it’s a thought? Checkout (listen to) the video on this page, it explains it.
From Linda in Texas:
These classes are available through AARP and you do not have to be a member. Three classes are of particular interest because they are oriented toward the blind. They are 10 tech treasures for individuals with vision concerns on April 1; smart technology 101: basics and solutions for safety and independence on June 2; And five easy ways to keep your smart devices safe and protected on April 27.
Hull Foundation Presents
Zoom Meetings
Our March Zoom topics are jam packed full of interesting topics that can assist everyone in their everyday life. We encourage you to sign up for all that piques your interest. Bring a friend or spouse! Sighted or not!! If you see one (or all) that you are interested in, be sure to contact the office via email or phone at 503–668–6195 to say you are attending. Sometimes we will send out “supplies” for classes and we need plenty of time to get items to you. Also, when attending, remember to log on 5–15 minutes early as we close the class 5 minutes after it starts.
March Zoom schedule
- Tuesday 3/2/21 10am-11am Introduction to listening to Podcasts. Information at your fingertips on anything that interests you!
- Tuesday 3/2/21 1pm-2pm Traveling long distances via trains, planes and automobiles and being prepared.
- Wednesday 3/3/21 10am-11am Lying Eyes – Our brain and how it deals with sight loss.
- Wednesday 3/3/21 1pm-2pm Wearables-Assistive Devices for Sight Loss. OrCam and Vision Buddy presentations.
- Thursday 3/4/21 1pm-2pm Group Chat- How did the Oral Hull Foundation begin and what is the future?
- Tuesday 3/9/21 10am-11:30am “Reading in the Dark” Book Club
- Tuesday 3/9/21 1pm-2pm Magnification – Finding the best fit and it’s a jungle out there – one size does not fit all.
- Wednesday 3/10/21 10am-11am Living with both sight and hearing loss. What to expect and how you can help yourself!
- Wednesday 3/10/21 1pm-2pm Best practices on web browsing. How to be safe on websites and email. What are cookies? What is Phishing? How can I tell if it is a scam website?
- Thursday 3/11/21 1pm-2pm Group Chat – Share your most memorable vacation experiences, good, bad, funny, trip of a lifetime!
- Tuesday 3/16/21 10am-11am Staying connected to the people you love How to stay engaged with family and friends.
- Tuesday 3/16/21 1pm-2pm The importance of joining sight loss or hearing loss organizations. Who they are and who they serve.
- Wednesday 3/17/21 10am-11am What’s a Human Guide? Basic positioning narrow passageways and reversing direction.
- Wednesday 3/17/21 1pm-2pm Android Phones (1 of 4 series)
- Thursday 3/18/21 1pm-2pm Group Chat – AARP Eye Q Test Think you know about your eyes? Think again!
- Tuesday 3/23/21 10am-11:30am “Reading in the Dark” Book Club
- Tuesday 3/23/21 1pm-2pm Android Phones (2 of 4 series)
- Wednesday 3/24/21 10am-11am Human Guide part 2 Review from last week and transferring sides and doorways.
- Wednesday 3/24/21 1pm-2pm Smart Speakers -what are they? Alexa, Google and others that can make your life easier.
- Thursday 3/25/21 1pm-2pm Group Chat- What’s the one thing you would like sighted folks to know about your sight loss?
- Tuesday 3/30/21 10am-11am Emergency Preparedness – Tools and equipment to help for emergencies.
- Tuesday 3/30/21 1pm-2pmAndroid Phones (3rd of 4 classes)
- Wednesday 3/31/21 10am-11am Human Guide part 3 – Review from last week and stairs up and down. Using a cane with a human guide.
- Wednesday 3/31/21 1pm-2pm Android Phones (4th of 4 classes)
Remember to keep in mind that you will need to contact our office to confirm which (or all) meetings you want to attend. The Zoom meeting will be closed at 5 minutes after the meeting starts.
Jokes to Keep you Laughing…or Groaning!
Q.
Have anyone else’s gardening skills improved during this quarantine like mine have?
A. I planted myself on my couch at the beginning of March and I’ve grown significantly since.
Q. What do you call a line of rabbits marching backwards? A. A receding hare line.
And because St. Patrick’s Day is in March…
Q. Why do people wear shamrocks on St. Patrick’s Day?
A. Cause real rocks are too heavy!
I asked my girlfriend when her birthday was and she said March 1st.
Been marching for half an hour now, and she still hasn’t told me.
Stay well, stay safe, stay happy!
**The Hull Foundation Family
503–668–6195 Check out our website:** [
www.hullparkfortheblind.org
](http://www.hullparkfortheblind.org/)
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