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06/27/10 |
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South Carolina Regional Group Annual Meeting/Elections The South Carolina Regional Group of the Blinded Veterans Association (SCRBVA) meeting this year was a conference call. The Conference Call was available for all members within South Carolina. The meeting was held on 15 April 2009 at 2:00 pm. The call did not last no longer than 45 minutes. The following officers were elected:
NOTE: Since the annual meeting, the hospital responded no peripherial
devices or software will be accepted due to virus’ etc. Presently, there
are no extra funds to purchase a larger screen or software. The
alternative is to use the Utility Manager within Windows for screen
magnification or speech. The command to use this utility is press at the
same time the Windows Key + U. As of this date, South Carolina Regional Group reports as of 31 March 2009, is $3,038.86. Tentatively scheduled for 2009 - 2010 budget spending will be discussed at next board meeting.
Proposed Changes to Constitution/BYLAWS All members are asked to review proposed changes to the South Carolina Regional Group of Blinded Veterans Association (SCRG of BVA) Constitution/BYLAWS. The Constitution was last revised in 2002. A copy of the Constitution is posted on the website (www.scbva.com). If you have any complaints, changes or suggestions please call or write Alexander (Al) Beresh, Vice President at 305 Crestwood Street, Taylors, SC 29687, (864) 292-2732. All responses must be sent no later than 20 June 2009.
Article V Membership Meetings Modified/*Added*
*Section 1. Meetings shall be held quarterly by conference call unless otherwise specified in writing. The quarterly meetings are conducted by telephone due to the vast distances between the officers. The conference calls are to be held in the months of January, April, July, and October. Each officer and board member will be given the toll free number and access code after their installation. a. Special meetings may be called when deemed necessary by the President or petition of four voting board members. The purpose must be stated and these calls may be via conference call or a centrally located meeting place. b. These meetings shall have authority to make laws and bylaws, rules and regulations, and generally to conduct all business which may properly come before the Group.*
Section 3. A quorum
at membership meetings shall consist of
Article VI Officers Modified/*Added*
Section 2. The
officers elected shall be a President, Vice President
Article VII Modified/*Added*
*Section 3-1. The Secretary shall:* a. Keep written minutes of all meetings of the membership and of the Executive Committee, and shall furnish a copy of all such written minutes to the National Secretary at the National Headquarters (Attn: Administrative Director) within two months of such meetings. b. Notify all members in good standing and National Headquarters (Attn: Administrative Director), in writing, of all regional group meetings, including the purpose(s) for which they are called.
*Section 3-2. The Treasurer shall:*
Article VIII Modified/*Added*
Section 1. Between
membership meetings, supreme authority of the Regional Group will be
vested in an Executive Committee consisting of the President, Vice
President,
Article IX Chapters Modified/*Added* Section 4. Chapters may schedule and hold their own meetings.
a. Written
minutes of each Chapter meeting must be prepared and forwarded to the
Regional Group
Article XI Finance Modified/*Added* Section 2. All sums received by the Treasurer shall be placed by him/her in a bank designated by *members of the Executive Committee or* the membership. The bank account shall be in the name of the SOUTH CAROLINA Regional Group *of Blinded Veterans Association*.
Section 3. Funds of
the Regional Group shall be dispensed
Charlie Norwood VAMC Rebecca Wiley
Eventhough Mrs Rebecca Wiley is a new director to the Charlie Norwood VAMC, it is not highlighted enough of her continued support and approval for new programs within the blinded rehabilitation center. Badly needed for years, our efforts for “change” is finally being acted upon. We, as veterans, would like to acknowledge a “thank you” for helping to enhance our lives and allow the staff to move forward toward the future of greater programs long needed. From the bottom of our hearts, we salute you Mrs. Rebecca Wiley.
Blind Rehabilitation Center (BRC) Paul Whitten - Chief
Expansion of Blind Rehabilitation Services Nationwide: As you may have heard through national news announcements the VA has approved a major expansion of programs for blind and low vision veterans throughout the country. This includes up to three new blind centers, a large number of low vision programs, as well as expansion of BROS and VIST positions. In our network (which includes Georgia, Alabama, and South Carolina) we will be adding low vision clinics at Atlanta and Columbia VA medical centers. In addition new BROS positions are targeted for VA facilities in Charleston, Columbia, Atlanta, and Birmingham. These are exciting times for the field of blind rehabilitation and will bring about significant improvement in VA services to blind and low vision veterans around the country.
TCF Program: The Augusta Blind Rehab Center has been approved by VA Central Office to receive two Technical Career Field (TCF) Interns. The internships will last up to two years, and are designed to help the National Blind Rehabilitation Service in VA recruit future staff members to serve blinded veterans. One of the internships is Laurianne Matheson, who will be training with our VIST program and the other intern will be training with our BROS program.
ABRC Expansion: In response to input from many blinded veterans and staff, the ABRC has been approved to expand our patient quarters! The expansion will result in individual bedrooms for each veteran participating in the inpatient program. Since we opened in 1996 the ABRC always had two double occupancy rooms. The planned expansion will result in some shifting of various classrooms and offices. The ABRC will be gaining additional space overall at the Uptown Division. In addition, the staff will also increase from 21 to 33 authorized staff positions.
New Room Assignments for Administrative Offices and Staff 1A-224 – Dr. Lindsay - Optometrist 1B-107 area offices (within Blind Rehab Ctr) - Tim Johnson, Glenn Benson, Optometry Tech Lane and Visual Skills training area 1C-101A - Paul Whitten – Chief, Blind Rehab Ctr 1C-101C – Carolyn Eastman – Program Support 1C-101D – Lillie Williams – Secretary to Chief, Blind Rehab Ctr 1C-101 area - Chuck Genoe and Rachelle Hansen – O & M Instructors 1D-101 – Dr. Richard Logan – Nurse manager 1D-152 – Todd Turansky and Laurianne Matheson – VIST Coordinators 1D-152B – Laurie Hallman – Polytrauma BROS 1D-152D – Genevieve Patterson – BROS
The Fisher House - The Community Foundation for the Central Savannah River Area - efforts in building a 21-room “Fisher House” on the grounds of the Augusta VA Medical Center for our future veterans and their families. The Fisher House is designed for free accommodations to those familites whose veteran or active duty miltary is receiving care at the Augusta VA Medical Center for extended periods of time because of their catastrophic illnesses. This center will rely on the non profit organization’s efforts and other voluntary members for continued daily operations. After 2 years of collecting donations exceeding a million dollars, the government will provide the needed extra monies for completing this well needed project.
NOTE: Some of these devices are not new this year but they should be mentioned to each veteran as being available at your local VA or by the Blind Rehabilitation Center (s)(Augusta, GA or Birmingham, AL). NOTE: This is not a complete listing of devices offered. Ask your VIST Coordinator, Terry Thorne, Vicki Stoughton, or Todd Turansky. Each product is under area of interest. View our website (www.scbva.com) for more details on each item.
Visual Skills Staff Members - Laurel Tucker and Kathy Cole
CCTV’s - government contract is on hold or in distribute for approximately 100 days starting 13 March 2009. May last longer unknown of a definite period. Presently, ordering of CCTV’s is on a case by case basis according to the needs of the veteran.
Video Magnifiers – Not all portable video magnifiers are "handheld" devices. The Nemo, Amigo, Opal, Quicklook, Quicklook Zoom, FarView, and Compact Plus may be managed as "handheld" with both hands. The Traveller and Fusion are somewhat bulkier and work better at a desk or table top rather than just in the user's hands. The Fusion, Prisma, Acrobat, and Liberty Solo have two or more components and need a desk or table top. To evaluate all video magnifiers are numerous and depends on the individual's goals, needs, and personal capabilities. This year we will show the Amigo:
Orientation/Mobility Staff Members – Chuck Genoe/Rachelle Hansen There are several other audible devices are the Trekker Breeze and the Braille/Voice Note.
GPS/Trekker – Trekker helps guide the visually impaired through their environment. It complements existing aids (white canes and guide dogs). It does not replace them. Sleek and discreet, Trekker provides information in the most natural way possible and allows users to record both vocal and written notes.
Living Skills Staff Members – Ron Worley, Jan Eagle, Holly Harris, Ava Carruth, Debbie Bower (for both blind and low vision users)
TEMO talking microwave
models 87106 (black) and 87108 (silver). Both units speak out digits in
English or Spanish, and announce food categories as they are selected by
touch. While simply novel in most homes, this unit is being particularly
well received for its usefulness in promoting independence in the blind
community.
Milestone 311 Voice Recorder/MP3 Player
Easy use and Accessible Voice
Recorder/MP3 Player
Exciting features
of the Milestone are:
The Milestone is
furnished with: The Milestone provides voice feedback while you maneuver around the unit, in a clear female voice. The Milestone has an internal memory of 256 Megabytes, (2 hours of recording) but has the opportunity for use of a Secure Digital Card up to two (2) Gigabytes, (140 hours of recording).
Polytrauma Blind Rehabilitation Occupational Specialist (BROS) Staff Member - Laurie Hallman - NEW PROGRAM - Combat in Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) has resulted in new patterns of polytraumatic injuries and disability (Brain/eye). Recognizing the specialized clinical care needs of these individuals, VA has established a Polytrauma System of Care composed of Polytrauma Rehabilitation Centers (PRC), Polytrauma Rehabilitation Network Sites (PNS), and Polytrauma Support Clinic Teams and Polytrauma Points of Contact at selected VA facilities. The BROS serves as a member of the interdisciplinary teams (IDT) at the PRCs and PNSs, contributing their blind rehabilitation expertise to the provision of comprehensive rehabilitation. Interdisciplinary Treatment Plans. Each patient must have a coordinated and integrated interdisciplinary plan of care that includes all required disciplines and reflects the goals of the patient and family. The treatment plan addresses the veteran’s goals and is individualized to meet the veteran’s needs relevant to lifestyle, age, level of capability, and future plans. Interdisciplinary Care Delivery. Treatment team members continually evaluate performance results during the veteran’s rehabilitation program, as they relate to expected outcomes, in order to determine the appropriateness of the treatment being provided. Any revisions to the treatment plan are made with the veteran’s involvement. Revisions are based on demonstrated strengths, changing needs, and expected outcomes in order to ensure that goals are achievable and meaningful to the person receiving services. Team meetings are held when needed to monitor progress and update the care plan to reflect progress and new patient goals.
There are 4 Polytrauma Centers (Palo Alto CA, Tampa FL, Minneapolis MN, Richmond VA). Augusta is among the 21 Polytrauma Rehabilitation Network Sites. Augusta is different in that we have the only Active Duty Rehab Unit that integrates the VA with the MTF (Military Treatment Facility) as a part of the SERMC (Southeast Regional Medical Center) at Fort Gordon, GA. As a part of the Polytrauma team, Laurie Hallman treats not only patients who have visual impairment and blindness but also the visual dysfunction that results from TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) to include difficulties with eye movements, focusing and eye teaming (binocular) vision problems and visual processing issues.
Manual Skills – Staff Members – Herman Jefferson, Shelley Johnson, and Doug Roebuck Recommended by a veteran -
BVA members in good standing who wish to vote at the convention by proxy may request a form by writing or calling the Administrative Director at BVA National Headquarters no later than 45 days before the opening day of the 64th National Convention. Because the convention’s opening day is August 18, the deadline for requesting a proxy form is July 6, 2009. In compliance with Section 2c of Article IX, the proxy form must be completed and returned to BVA National Headquarters (Attn: Administrative Director). To be considered valid, the envelope containing the form must be postmarked no later than 21 days before the opening date of the convention. The due date is therefore July 28, 2009. www.bva.org
Hi everyone! I really enjoyed creating this publication for you. I tried not to forget anything. I am on a lot of committees for the veterans – so I feel it is my job to inform you. If you have any suggestions, comments or questions on any of the information contained within this newsletter – please don’t hesitate to write/call or email me. I am an advocate for blinded veterans everywhere. Keep it real…
Cheryl Gajadhar 3830 Davies Drive Columbia, SC 29223 (803) 754 6764
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Pursuant
to the provisions of Section 3b of Article IX (National Convention) of the
BVA National Bylaws, all members of the Blinded Veterans Association in
good standing are hereby notified that the