May 2022
The Hull Foundation’s
Sight Loss Monthly News
www.hullparkfortheblind.org
“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.”
Editors, Hull Foundation Staff
Contents
Mission Statement …p. 3
Curiosity in Life …p. 4
Extrovert or Introvert – Why Would it Matter With Sight Loss?…p. 7
Tech Tip: Light & Dark Mode for iPhone & iPad …p. 9
Reading in the Dark Book Club …p. 11
Hull Foundation Zoom Meetings …p. 13
May Zoom Schedule…p. 14
Gadget of the Month …p. 27
Game
of the Month …p. 28
Sight
Loss Advanced Seminar …p. 29
More Upcoming Events…p. 30
Jokes to Keep Us Laughing
…p. 34
Contact Us…p. 35
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
Curiosity in Life – By Teresa Christian, Sight Loss Instructor
Helen Keller said, “Life is a daring adventure or nothing at all!” When you cultivate an attitude of curiosity, doors open, and adventures begin; questions lead to new possibilities. For example, asking yourself, “What do I want to learn now and where might that lead me?” can set you on a journey of exciting exploration that moves you forward. If, instead, you come from the place of “I already know what I need to know,” you shut off the possibility of discovering something new that could rock your world.
Curiosity in Relationships
How often we assume we know what someone else is thinking or experiencing. What if we came from a place of not knowing and offered others an invitation to speak? According to Sharon Ellison, creator of Powerful Non-Defensive Communication, “A non-defensive question is innocently curious, reflecting the purity of the child who asks how a flower grows or what makes an airplane fly.” We invite others to share their true experience when we ask questions without hidden agendas and to clarify understanding.
Practice Cultivating Curiosity
Here are some ways to cultivate a more curious life.
• Questions. Practice asking questions with openness and neutrality. Practice with strangers in stores and with people close to you. Stop thinking you know all the answers…be open to being surprised!
• Inquiries. An inquiry is an open-ended question designed to broaden your perspective. For example: “What would make life a daring adventure for me?” “Where in my life do I assume I already know?”
• Assumptions. These impact how we treat strangers as well as loved ones. Challenge your assumptions by asking, “What if that’s not true?” What other choices might you make then?
If you truly want to expand your excitement, joy and fulfillment in life and relationships, sprinkle liberal doses of curiosity and watch your life become the fabulous adventure it can be!
Curious? Let the adventure begin!
Something to think about: Extrovert or Introvert – Why Would it Matter With Sight Loss? – By Marja Byers, Sight Loss Instructor
I recently read an article in the AARP email newsletter discussing, “Are you an extrovert or an introvert? The article is based on the theories of Carl Jung from 1910. He had many interesting theories regarding personality types. As I read the article, I started to recall the studying that I did about Jungian theory and I realized that I had mentally dropped an important piece of it. Many of us think of extroverts as the “life of the party”, outgoing and talkative, whereas the introvert is sitting quietly in the corner, the wallflower. Most of us are a mix of the two, as in so many things this is a spectrum.
What Carl Jung was trying to point out, is that some of us recharge our energy by being around others and growing our energy. Some of us need solitude to regenerate. There are ambiverts that go back and forth between the two. So, why is this pertinent to those of us with sight loss? We have had previous discussions about sight loss and how much more energy it takes us to do even simple tasks, therefore, I feel that it’s important to understand how we “recharge our batteries”! I know, for example, that I get drawn in by people with a manic energy (high energy, happy, crazy), but it takes a toll on me and drains me. I am an introvert; my phone goes on silence at 8:00 pm and I try not to talk to anyone for the hour before I go to bed. It’s good to be aware of how you recharge.
If you are interested in more discussions on this and other similar topics, join us for “Navigating Social Situations” a regular Zoom workshop that is starting soon and will be listed in this newsletter, or call our office at 503-668-6195.
Tech Tip: Light & Dark Mode for iPhone & iPad – By Marty Sobo, Sight Loss Instructor
Tech Tip – Light & Dark Mode For iPhone & iPad Light Mode is when your display is in regular mode. This would be white background with black text. This used to be the only mode you could have your display set in. At times people had issue with this when in a dark or low light place due to the overwhelming Lee bright screen. Now we have Dark Mode. Dark Mode changes your display to black background with white text. This takes away that really strong glare from all the white in the background in regular mode. Depending on what kind of vision you have different people see better in different modes. Give it a try and see what works best for you.
Go To > Settings. Next go to > Display & Brightness. Here you will find two options. Light Mode & Dark Mode. Pick either one. Try them both. You might find you like one better than the other or you might like using both at different times. Enjoy!
Hull Foundation and Learning Center Book Club
When: Tuesday May 10th and 24th, 2022 at 10:00am.
In April we read “The Music Shop” by Rachel Joyce DB86957
1988. Frank owns a music shop. It is jam-packed with records of every
speed, size, and genre. Classical, jazz, punk – as long as it’s vinyl he
sells it. Day after day Frank finds his customers the music they
need.
Then into his life walks Ilse Brauchmann.
Ilse asks Frank to teach her about music. His instinct is to turn and
run. And yet he is drawn to this strangely still, mysterious woman with
her pea-green coat and her eyes as black as vinyl. But Ilse is not what
she seems. And Frank has old wounds that threaten to re-open and a past
he will never leave behind .
Our next books look to be very interesting. “Never Cry Wolf” by Farley Mowat DB21586
“All Girl Filling Stations Last Reunion” by Fannie Flagg DB77825“Einstein’s Dreams” by Alan Lightman DB36166 “E.R. nurses: true stories from America’s greatest unsung heroes” by James Patterson and Matt Eversmann DB105256 “Vision Loss: Strategies for living with hope and independence” by Peggy R. Wolfe” DBC24679
We are always looking for new friends to join the book club. If the books we are reading don’t pique your interest, come to the next book club meeting, and share your favorite books.
Hull Foundation Presents Zoom Meetings
Our May virtual Zoom meetings have something for everyone and are full of interesting topics that can assist you in your everyday life. Bring a friend or spouse! Sighted or not!! If you would like to sign up to receive a weekly email with the Zoom schedule for the week and the 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 the call-in number and Meeting ID number for meetings you are interested in attending via phone.
May Zoom
Class Schedule
Seeing Through the Five Senses
We are doing a series of five classes this month exploring our world through the five senses with the aim of giving you more tools to adapt to your life when experiencing vision loss and beyond.
WEEK 1
May 3rd Tuesday, 10-11am PST
Seeing Through the Five Senses: Smell with Guest, Berry Carver
Smell is a vibrant part of our lives as visually impaired people. It
evokes vivid memories, is a huge part of taste and helps us get
information about our environment. Join Berry from Mountain Crafted as
he explores the universe of olfactory detection.
(Class provided by the Hull Foundation and Hosted by ACB of Oregon)
May 3rd Tuesday, 1-2pm PDT
Oregon State University: Optiband Haptic Cane with Guest, Anisha Sai Bontula
The Optiband is a haptic navigation aid designed with the help of our blind stakeholder at Oregon State University, that uses vibrations to inform a user of their surroundings up to 15 meters from them. The Optiband was designed to be non-obtrusive and intuitive to use, while also being reliable and providing more independence to the user. The Optiband can be described as a 50 foot invisible cane. (Class provided by the Hull Foundation and Hosted by ACB of Oregon)
May 5th Thursday, 10-11am PDT
Accessible
Voting with Jean-Marie Moore – Board Member – Learn how blind Americans
got the right to vote and how to exercise those rights as a blind
citizen through accessible voting. (Class provided by the Hull
Foundation and Hosted by ACB of Oregon)
May 5th Thursday, 1-2pm PDT
Sight Loss and Hearing Loss, a Group Chat with Jael – Sight Loss Instructor
An opportunity to connect with other individuals who are hard of hearing as well as living with sight loss. Information and support are provided. Please invite your family and friends. (Class provided by the Hull Foundation and Hosted by ACB)
May 6th Friday, 7-8pm PDT
First Friday with Friends and Family with Marja and Carrie – Sight Loss Instructors
Are you the loved one of a person experiencing sight loss? If so please join us for a supportive group as we journey through the highs and lows of our loved ones sight loss adventure. (Class provided by the Hull Foundation and Hosted by ACB)
WEEK 2
May 10th Tuesday, 10-11am PDT
Reading in the Dark Book Club with Monica – Hull Foundation Staff
Come share with a group of diverse people what you are currently reading and find your next good read! (Class provided by the Hull Foundation and Hosted by ACB of Oregon)
May 10th Tuesday, 1-2pm PDT
Seeing Through the Five Senses: Hearing with Michael – Sight Loss Instructor
What can our ears tell us about the world around us? You don’t have to have superhuman hearing or even “normal” hearing to see the environment around you. Let Michael guide you to a better understanding of what sound can tell you about your environment that your eyes may not. (Class provided by the Hull Foundation and Hosted by ACB)
May 10th Tuesday, 6-7pm PDT
Prepping for Camping with Carrie – Sight Loss Instruction
Always wanted to go camping? Think you can’t as a visually impaired person? Carrie Muth has been going for years. She will share with you where to go, what gear you need and resources to get you started!
May 11th Wednesday, 1-2pm PDT
How are you Doing and How are you Dealing? With Marja and Teresa – Sight Loss Instructors
Going through sight loss has a huge learning curve, you’re not alone. Join Marja and the gang to chat about the ups and downs and ways around.
May 12th Thursday, 1-2pm PDT
The Hard of Hearing: Easing The Way of Communication with Jael – Sight Loss Instructor
Being blind or visually impaired can be difficult at times but add hard of hearing to the mix and things can become overwhelming to the point of discouraging. Join us in a discussion that will cover effective methods of communication as one with hearing loss or as someone interested in including those with hearing loss in their lives. (Class provided by the Hull Foundation and Hosted by ACB of Oregon)
May 12th Thursday, 7-8pm PDT
The Chat Cafe with Carrie and Teresa – Sight Loss Instructors
Pull up a chair; grab a mug; and sit by the fire. Chat about anything and everything.
(Class provided by the Hull Foundation and Hosted by ACB of Oregon)
WEEK 3
May 17th Tuesday, 1-2pm PDT
Seeing Through the Five Senses: Taste with Desirée – Sight Loss Instructor
Taste, something we think of for eating and drinking. What if there was a whole other side to taste that didn’t involve food, drink, or anything weird. What if taste could give you information about the world around you?
(Class provided by the Hull Foundation and Hosted by ACB)
May 18th Wednesday, 1-2pm PDT
Seeing Through the Five Senses: Touch with Jael – Sight Loss Instructor
The sense of touch is more than just the fingers. Simply opening your
mind to the possibilities of what touch can introduce will open your
world in beautiful ways.
Please join us in learning about touch in a positive and supportive
environment.
(Class provided by the Hull Foundation and Hosted by ACB)
May 19th Thursday, 10-11am PDT
How to do the Adventure Tango and Stay Safe Doing It with Mary-Lee Turner – Sight Loss Instructor and Terry Swarez – Get Up and Go Campaign.
Going new places is fun and good for our minds, emotions, and bodies. Learning how to do it safely and keeping the fun factor is critical. Marylee Turner and Terry Swarez, with the Get Up and Go Campaign have partnered to show you how.
May 19th Thursday, 1-2pm PDT
Sight Loss and Hearing Loss, a Group Chat with Jael – Sight Loss Instructor
An opportunity to connect with other individuals who are hard of
hearing as well as living with sight loss. Information and support are
provided. Please invite your family and friends. (Class provided by the
Hull Foundation and Hosted by ACB of Oregon)
May 19th Thursday, 6-7pm PDT Navigating Social Situations:
Visually Impaired Vs Sighted with Marja and Desirée – Sight Loss
Instructors – Social situations are hard anxiety filled situations.
Marja and Desirée invite you to join our second in an ongoing series
about navigating social situations while experiencing sight loss.
WEEK 4
May 24th Tuesday, 10-11am PDT
Reading in the Dark Book Club with Monica – Hull Foundation Staff
Come share with a diverse group of people what you are currently reading and find your next good read!
May 25th Wednesday, 6:30-8pm PDT How are you Doing and How are you Dealing? With Marja and Teresa – Sight Loss Instructors
Going through sight loss has a huge learning curve, you’re not alone. Join Marja and the gang to chat about the ups and downs and ways around.
May 26th Thursday, 10-11am PDT
Seeing
Through the Five Senses: Low Vision with Marja – Sight Loss Instructor –
Explore new ways of seeing with eyes that don’t work as well as they
once did. Learn tips and tricks to finding objects, staying safe, and
gathering information about the world around when things don’t look
quite the same. (Class provided by the Hull Foundation and Hosted by
ACB)
May 26th Thursday, 1-2pm PDT
Read More Books: The Scribd App with Jael – Sight Loss Instructor
This is a continuation of a months-long series covering a variety of book reading services that are accessible to blind and visually impaired individuals. This month we will cover the Scribd app and website. Indulge in your book addiction and join us! (Class provided by the Hull Foundation and Hosted by ACB)
May 26th Thursday, 7-8pm PDT
The
Chat Cafe with Carrie and Teresa – Sight Loss Instructors – Pull up a
chair; grab a mug; and sit by the fire. Chat about anything and
everything. Sponsored by the Hull Foundation
Gadget of the Month – Kitchen “Must Have” We have had many articles on safety and cooking in the kitchen so keeping along that same theme, we wanted to share the following “must have and just can’t do without” item you might consider adding to your kitchen cooking experiences.
Double turner and kitchen tongs in one! Amazing idea and very useful! No more fish, chicken, meat, or veggies flying off the cooking spatula!
Perfect for cooking, turning, and serving meat, fish, vegetables, etc.
Ideal for non-stick pots and pans
Use as tongs or separate for single spatula use. Open-slotted spatulas are great with non-stick cookware. Easy to grab for flipping and turning food. Dishwasher safe. Measures 11.30″ long. Handles heat up to 410 degrees Fahrenheit (210 degrees Celsius). Manufactured by Reizen. Approximate cost: $13.00-$15.00 on Amazon, MaxiAids, ReizenUSA.com, etc.
Game of the Month – Tactile Dominoes. What can bring back more memories than “game night?” -Dominoes with Raised Dots -Double Six a 28-piece set, made of heavy-duty white plastic. Tactile for easy identification of pieces and are manufactured by Reizen. Available from MaxiAids or Amazon. Approximate cost around $15-$18. Did you know Domino games call for calculation and strategy? Dominoes are direct descendants of the ordinary six-sided dice, and although a very similar game was played in ancient Egypt, the domino appears to have been invented independently in Europe and China. Where the Chinese have played domino games for several centuries, the European game seems to have originated in Italy as recently as the beginning of the 18th century. It quickly spread throughout Europe and towards the end of the 11th century it was brought to England, probably by French prisoners of war. Since then, domino games have become known throughout most of the world. Favored as a “pub” game it’s a great way to interact with friends and family!
Living
with Sight Loss ADVANCED Seminar
On May 31 – June 2, 2022, we are hosting an Advanced Living with Sight
Loss Seminar at Hull Park. The schedule will contain immersive, hands-on
workshops covering more information than in our Introduction to Sight
Loss workshops. Topics such as daily living skills, orientation and
mobility functional vision assessments, sight aids, home organization
tips, and more! Please contact the office at 503-668-6195 to request
more information and a registration form.
More
Upcoming Events
2022 will be an exciting and fun-filled year for our events! If you are
interested in any of our recreational Getaway events and Retreats,
please contact our office and get signed up! The spots can fill up very
quickly, so jump in with both feet and save your spot and come out to
Hull Park in 2022!
One Day Fun Day – Why not spend a day with us either at our 22 acre park or out and about to see the locale attractions? We have scheduled a day each month to hang out with those that share sight loss. We’ll pick you up at two locations and drop you back off at the end of the day! Our second One Day Fun-Day”, is scheduled for May 4th. The activities will be from 10:30 AM to 4:30 PM, with a break for lunch. The activities will include many different crafting skills. Choose from painting ornaments, knitting projects, Paper Mache, Modge Podge, and beading. To find out more and to register, call our office at 503-668-6195.
Friends and Alumni Retreat – June 5-10, 2022
Come meet with old friends and make news ones! We will enjoy visiting several local attractions, swim in the indoor swimming pool, visit a living history museum, hike our hiking trails, fish in our stocked trout pond, play games, and enjoy Hull Park in the early summer!
Moderate Adventure Retreat- Aug. 10-16, 2022. During this retreat, activities may include white water rafting, kayaking, hiking, winery tours, visiting local tourist sights, live action plays, and more!
High Adventure Retreat- Aug. 24-30, 2022
This retreat is designed to give guests opportunities to stretch themselves! Activities may include white water rafting, hiking in the Mt. Hood National Forest, various water sports, challenge courses, horseback riding, and much more!
Monster Mash Getaway- October 24-27, 2022
Come get spooky with us for a seasonal favorite Getaway! We will have theme-based games, movie night, a trip to a local farm for hayrides, corn maze and pumpkin patch, a costume contest, and do the monster mash at the dance!
Winter Holiday Getaway- December 13-16, 2022
Come Deck the Halls with your friends and the Hull Park staff for this festive event! We will have holiday-themed games, treats, crafts, and on the final night a holiday banquet and live music which is open to friends and family.
Registrations are now available for these events! It is never too early to sign up as spots fill up very quickly. Please email the office at oralhull@gmail.com or call at 503-668-6195 for more information and to request a registration form.
Jokes to Keep you Laughing…or Groaning!
Q. What do gardeners wear on their legs?
A. Garden hose.
Q. What is a flower’s favorite kind of pickle?
A. Daffo-dill.
Q. When is it impossible to plant flowers?
A. When you haven’t botany.
Q. How can you tell spring flowers are friendly?
A. They always have new buds.
Stay well, stay safe, and stay happy!
Contact Us
The Hull Foundation Family
Phone: 503-668-6195
Email: oralhull@gmail.com
Website: www.hullparkfortheblind.org
Visit us on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/OralHullPark/?notif_id=1631758417290618¬if_t=page_user_activity&ref=notif
On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hullfoundation_learningcenter/