How Rachael Found Confidence & Freedom

Rachael’s Diagnosis

In September 2014, Rachael was diagnosed with stage four ovarian cancer and began chemo treatments, and by March 2015, Rachael had finished her fourth treatment. Rachael started noticing changes in her vision, and “things were getting blurrier.” Rachael believed that her eyes were changing with age and waited until she was done with her chemo treatments to see an eye care professional.

Thinking she just needed glasses, she went to a big box optical center with her sister-in-law since she no longer felt safe to drive. During the visit, Rachael discovered she couldn’t read anything below the first line of text on the eye chart. The optician began to write a prescription, not divulging that in her current vision, she was classified as legally blind until her sister-in-law asked the doctor when Rachael was told that she was now legally blind.

Over the next year, Rachael was connected to several eye care professionals and had extensive testing. Rachael was eventually informed that she had bleeding in her retina and significant scarring in her eyes. She eventually was sent to a retina specialist, who later sent her to a neuro-ophthalmologist. After numerous hours of testing, Rachael still had no answers. At a loss, it was recommended that she see a low-vision specialist and prepare for a future without vision.

At this same time, Rachael went in for a routine check-up on her cancer and was informed she needed additional chemo treatments. As the treatments progressed, Rachael experienced a continual loss of vision, to the point that she could no longer see facial features and could only see silhouettes. Eventually, all central vision was lost, and peripheral vision slowly dwindled to nothing. By the beginning of 2017, Rachael had no vision left. 

The Impact of Rachael’s Vision Loss on Her Well-Being

Her doctors encouraged her to see an eye doctor, but Rachel was resistant and did not see the point of seeing an eye doctor because she was blind. In May of 2020, Rachael was finally connected with someone who could give her some answers. Rachael was told she had cancer of the eye, and in June 2020, her left eye was removed.

Rachael pulled back from all social activities, limited her interaction to only her family, and rarely left her home. She found herself slipping further into depression and felt vulnerable and alone. With the vision loss, she could no longer help others in her family, was angry, and felt helpless because she needed so much assistance to complete tasks. “I felt like I no longer had control over my life.”

Gaining Acceptance and Seeking Support

Rachael reached out to Outlook Enrichment in January 2022. She was at the end of her rope and felt distraught, lonely, and useless. “It was a very tear-filled conversion.” Rachael was emotionally at her breaking point. As she talked to staff who described services, Rachael started to see that there was hope after being told for so long that nothing could be done.

“I started to see there was hope and people genuinely cared about me. I never heard we can’t help you with that, all I heard was, you can do it. We just have to figure out the right way. I felt like someone had tossed me a life preserver and was told to hold on tight.”

Rachael initially started receiving training in Adaptive Technology and received an individualized adjustment to blindness services to assist with the changes she now faces and the emotional grieving process.

As Rachael became more confident, she started taking Moby transportation by herself. “It was a big day. I was so proud of myself.” Rachael had new freedom and confidence not experienced in a long time. Gradually, she joined more Enrichment programs. Rachael regularly participates in the Color Outside the Lines arts program and is an active member of the weekly support group, sharing and empowering others through her Journey.

Vision Resource Coalition

If you’re a blind or visually impaired individual, you are not alone. We are here to help you and your loved one find answers, resources, and hope.

As advocates for the blind and visually impaired, we lead the Vision Resources Coalition, a collaborative effort between more than 25 agencies and organizations that all serve the blind and visually impaired population in eastern Nebraska and Western Iowa. The agencies listed here are members of the coalition.

Assistive Technology Partnership

Administers the National Deaf Blind Equipment Distribution program for low-income individuals who are deaf.

(402) 595-1613

Assistology

Provides assistive technology solutions for children and adults with disabilities gain unrestricted access to educational, vocational, recreational, home, and community activities.

(402) 500-0667

Boys Town National Research Hospital

BTNRH’s Vision Program supports children with visual impairments by offering programs and events including: Camp Abilities Nebraska and the Beeping Easter Egg Hunt.

(402) 498-6365

Building Healthy Futures: Child Vision Collaborative

Works to create a coordinated system for vision care that includes education, screening, diagnosing, and treatment for underserved children in our city’s most impoverished communities.

(402) 715-4160

Bus Across Nebraska – Ski for Light

Provides transportation and other support for visually impaired and volunteers for attendance at the Black Hills Ski for Light in Deadwood, SD.

(712) 366-9596

Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Eye Clinic

Dedicated to providing superior and comprehensive pediatric eye care – from routine eye exams and fittings for glasses to complex surgical procedures.

(402) 955-8280

Christian Record – Services for the Blind

Provide quarterly magazine bibles, in braille, audio lending library, a speakers bureau and adult and youth camps for the blind around the country

(402) 488-0981

Council Bluffs Visually Impaired Support Group

Provides hope for blind and visually impaired individuals through monthly guest speakers that talk about being or living with a visual impairment. After the presentation the group discusses any concerns, challenges and shared experiences. Everyone with visual impairment is welcome. Second Wednesday of the month at the Council Bluffs Public Library.

(402) 980-9980

Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging (ENOA)

Offers intermittent support to older Nebraskans so they may continue to live independently, live with dignity, and remain for as long as possible in their own homes.

(402) 444-6536

Heartland Eye Consultants

Low vision rehabilitation, prescribing of glasses, and devices including magnifiers, telescopes and electronic aids.

(402) 493-6500

Iowa Council of the United Blind (ICUB) Across Iowa Chapter

An at large group which meets the first Thursday of each month via phone at Conference call #:  712-432-5610; Access code: 782. This is an affiliation of the ACB.  Any person who cannot physically attend an ACB chapter is welcome to attend conference calls. National ACB and local ICUB topics are discussed.  After business then it is time for persons to share personal experiences relating to blindness.

(402) 980-9980

J Ross Tech

Jonathan Ross is an independent technology consultant, providing adaptive technology support, customization and training to individuals, businesses and schools, to meet the personal employment or educational goals of individuals who are blind or visually impaired.

(402) 403-9072

Lions

Providing services mainly to the blind, visually impaired and hearing impaired.

(402) 333-6163

Lions Clubs of Iowa

Supports the Iowa Lions Eye Bank, Iowa KidSight program (screenings) and the Iowa Department for the Blind with programming support. Part of the largest service organization in the world to help people with vision and hearing loss.

(515) 232-2215

MOBY

Public transit service for those who are visually impaired or physically disabled in the Omaha metro area.

(402) 346-8779

NanoPac, Inc.

NanoPac, Inc. serves 8 States including Nebraska, and has been helping the blind and visually impaired since 1987 representing the majority of manufacturers.  They provide magnification solutions which help persons with low vision read and remain independent.  NanoPac has new and used units for sale, and every product comes with life-time support.  They will take older units in on trade if you like, and they come to your home or office to help you.

(402) 905-2794

National Federation of the Blind Omaha Chapter

Empowers blind individual through monthly meetings held on the third Saturday of each month, at 9:15a.m., Swanson Branch Library at 90th and Dodge. Call Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter, Chapter President, to reserve a spot.

(402) 350-1735

Nebraska Center for the Education of Children who are Blind or Visually Impaired

A program that offers the expertise and specialized skills of the center’s staff to blind, visually impaired, and multi-handicapped students in residential, day, and outreach settings.

(402) 873-5513

Nebraska Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired

A state vocational rehabilitation agency for the blind, working to help blind and visually impaired Nebraskans achieve full and rewarding lives through independent living skills and assisting with finding employment in Nebraska and across the country.

(402) 471-2891

Nebraska Foundation for Visually Impaired Children

Provides children with resources and tools otherwise not available to them. Believes childhood and teen experiences of the blind and visually impaired are essential to their success as adults.

(402) 699-2389

Nebraska Library Commission Talking Book and Braille Service

Part of a nationwide network of cooperating libraries headed by the National Library Service (NLS), a division of the Library of Congress. Provides free audiobooks, audio magazines and braille through the mail and through digital download to individuals with a visual or physical condition, or a reading disability which limits use of regular print.

(402) 471-6553

Nebraska Lions Eye Bank, Inc

Recovers, evaluates, processes and distributes human donor eye tissue for corneal transplantation.

(402) 559-5864

Nebraska Low Vision

Nebraska Low Vision was founded by Patrick J. Fischer who has been helping the blind and visually impaired since 1990. Patrick is an entrepreneur that loves technology and helping people blind and visually impaired find solutions that allow them to remain independent. Nebraska Low Vision sells new and pre-owned magnification equipment which comes with life-time support.  They have the largest in-state inventory of new and used magnification equipment for sale.

(402) 905-2697

Nebraska Medical Association

An advocacy organization comprised of 3,000 physicians (MDs and DOs), residents and medical students from across all areas of Nebraska.

(402) 474-4472

Nebraska Optometric Association

Representing the interests of Nebraska optometrists.

(402) 474-7716

Omaha Association of the Blind

Embraces a mission to promote the social, intellectual, and economic welfare of the blind in Omaha, to work toward their interests and needs, and to foster an environment for communication & networking among the legally blind. Provides transportation to and from OAB Meetings.

(402) 320-4226

Omaha Council of the Blind

A nonprofit organization of and for the blind and visually impaired adults of Omaha which provides opportunities for information and socialization for its members.

(402) 553-8999

Outlook Nebraska

An Omaha-based nonprofit dedicated to making a positive impact on the lives of the blind and visually impaired through employment, adaptive technology training, recreation and cultural experiences, and educational opportunities.

(402) 614-3331

Radio Talking Book Service

Nebraska’s Audio Companion to the blind, or visually impaired. Seeks to eliminate the inability to read print as a disabling condition.

(402) 572-3003

Share A Fare, Inc.

Provides transportation for the blind and visually impaired citizens in the Greater Omaha area by promoting a cab subsidy program to enhance independent travel and effective participation in society.

(402) 827-9814

Weigel Williamson Center for Visual Rehabilitation

The latest advances in technology are used to determine the tools and training activities that are needed to assist individuals with low vision in maximizing the use of their remaining vision.

(402) 559-2463

WhyArts?

Provides participatory and specially designed arts workshops to the visually impaired, hearing impaired, and individuals with intellectual and physical disabilities.

(402) 541-4181

Laura Bridgman: The First Deaf-Blind Pioneer

June 26 kicks off Helen Keller Deaf-Blind Awareness Week. This year’s focus is Diversity and Inclusion: Creativity and innovation are built upon diverse perspectives. Throughout June, many groups recognized the accomplishments and creativity of the Deaf-Blind community.

Many know about Helen Keller’s impact on the deaf-blind community over generations. However, half a century before Helen Keller was born, Laura Bridgeman became the first deaf-blind person to learn a language.

Laura’s Upbringing

Laura Dewey Bridgman was born to hardworking New England farmers in Hanover, N.H., on December 21, 1829. At 24 months, she became ill with scarlet fever. Though the fever passed, it left her without sight, hearing, sense of smell, and nearly all of her sense of taste.

Left with only her touch, Laura tried to make sense of the world around her. Her love for imitating her mother made her very helpful with household chores. She learned to sew and knit. She developed a rudimentary sign language, with gestures for food and other basic needs and a name sign for each family member.

As Laura grew, communication became more difficult. At seven, she could only be controlled with physical force—something needed to change.

Laura’s Time at Perkins School for the Blind

Founded in 1829, Perkins School for the Blind, the first of its kind in the United States, opened its doors in 1832. The school’s first director, Samuel Gridley Howe, was happy about his first five years of progress. However, when he heard about Laura, he was eager to try educating her. During this time, Deaf-blind people were considered unteachable.

After her parents agreed to the move, Laura arrived at Perkins in October 1837. No one had succeeded in teaching language to a person with deafblindness, so Howe decided to teach Laura English. He gave her forks, keys, and other objects with name labels made of raised letters pasted upon them. When he gave her detached labels with the same words, she matched them with their objects.

Howe took this further by cutting the labels and separating the letters. He spelled the familiar words, showed them to Laura, and then jumbled the letters. According to Howe’s account, Laura rearranged the letters to spell the words correctly. This was the beginning of Laura’s understanding of the English language.

Once Laura understood that objects have names, she quickly learned the alphabet. She communicated with her peers and teachers by using cut-out letters. With the help of fingerspelling, Laura attended geography, arithmetic, and other classes with her peers.

Howe published an account of Laura’s education in the Perkins annual reports, making both student and teacher internationally famous. In 1842, British writer Charles Dickens visited Perkins and wrote his encounter with Laura in his book, American Notes.

Laura spent most of her adult life at Perkins. She taught students how to sew and sold her own needlework pieces. She sometimes visited family and friends and was an avid letter writer. Laura carved out her life journey once she had the tools she needed. She died in 1859 at Perkins.

The Domino Effect

Dickens’s account of Laura’s education gave hope to Helen Keller’s parents in 1886. They contacted Perkins, and Director Michael Anagnos sent Perkins graduate Anne Sullivan to be Helen’s teacher. Sullivan educated Helen using Howe’s methods for teaching Laura.

Helen Keller was a groundbreaking advocate for the rights of people with disabilities and one of the foremost humanitarians of the twentieth century. Though she led the way in advancing education, civil rights, and accessibility for people with disabilities, Helen always acknowledged that she followed in Laura Bridgman’s footsteps.

Laura Bridgman and Helen Keller had profound hearing loss. They most likely only heard very loud sounds. Their hearing loss was also pre-lingual, meaning they lost their hearing before they could talk.

Types of Hearing Loss

Some hearing loss types include:

Conductive Hearing Loss—This hearing loss is caused by something that stops sounds from getting through the outer or middle ear. It can often be treated with medicine or surgery.

Sensorineural Hearing Loss—Hearing loss occurs when there is a problem with how the inner ear or hearing nerve works.

Mixed Hearing Loss—Hearing loss includes conductive and sensorineural hearing loss.

Auditory Neuropathy Spectrum Disorder—Hearing loss occurs when sound enters the ear normally; however, due to damage to the inner ear or the hearing nerve, the sound can’t be organized in a way the brain can understand.

Some people may experience mild hearing loss, which means they can hear speech but might struggle to hear soft sounds. A person with moderate hearing loss may not hear most speech at normal volume levels.

If you or someone you know has vision and hearing loss, Outlook Enrichment can help. Our team’s deaf-blind specialist can answer your questions and connect you with additional resources. Contact us to get started.

Raising Awareness: Understanding Cortical Visual Impairment

September is Cortical Visual Impairment Awareness Month. This visual impairment affects children ages one to three in the United States and other developed countries. Cortical Visual Impairment (CVI) can develop before, during, or after birth. Early intervention after diagnosis is imperative.

Cortical Visual Impairment also referred to as cerebral visual impairment, neurological visual impairment, or, more simply, brain damage, occurs when a patient suffers a brain injury. Visually, they can see, but the connection between the parts of the brain that interpret images no longer communicates with their eyes. When diagnosed with CVI, children show abnormal visual responses that can’t be attributed to the eyes. 

According to The National Eye Institute, CVI can continue into adulthood. Adults can develop CVI, especially after a traumatic brain injury or stroke. However, they don’t technically have CVI because it’s acquired later in life. Veterans who experience visual problems because of combat injuries are at higher risk for Acquired CVI. Locating visual rehabilitation services can aid these folks in making the most of their vision.

Boston Children’s Hospital prefers to use the term “cerebral” rather than “cortical” when diagnosing this impairment. This one part of the brain doesn’t singularly perpetuate blindness in these children. CVI can be caused by shaken baby syndrome or accidental head injuries. The child can also suffer neonatal hypoglycemia infections such as meningitis. Metabolic disorders and epilepsy can also cause blindness.

Diagnosing CVI is difficult. If you suspect your child has visual problems, they’ll need a comprehensive eye exam to determine if the problem is with their eyes. If this initial examination doesn’t find physical eye issues to explain the symptoms, the problem could be with the brain.

When seeing a specialist familiar with CVI, the pediatric neurologist or a neuro-ophthalmologist may request a medical history or a brain scan.

Some common symptoms clinicians look for are:

Behaviors reported by parents and educators include:

If a child exhibits one or two of these behaviors, they don’t always have CVI. However, if your child has suffered a brain injury and does exhibit these behaviors or symptoms, getting them examined immediately is crucial.

Unfortunately, there is no cure for CVI. However, rapid intervention with visual rehabilitation therapy can help. The good news, however, is some children experience improvement in their vision. School-aged children with CVI will need a functional assessment performed by a Teacher of the Visually Impaired (TVI). A personalized treatment plan will be designed based on the teacher’s observations, including what stimulation will benefit them. Whether it be mostly touch, sound, or visual stimulation–or all three–this plan will assist the child in using what vision they do have.

Although it’s challenging to diagnose and untreatable, children with this permanent visual impairment can learn to grow and play. They may require different stimulation to interact with others, but the world can still be accessible.

If your child or loved one has CVI or any other visual impairment, having them involved with other youth can help them feel included. Browse our website to learn more about your adaptive tech programs, events, and other resources.

How to Prepare for an Eye Exam

Many people might think that once you have been diagnosed with a visual impairment or have gone blind, a regular eye exam is not necessary. But depending on your eye condition and doctor’s advice, getting routine eye exams is an important part of overall eye health. 

An exam can show medical conditions such as diabetes, glaucoma, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure. Additionally, numerous diseases that affect the eye often do not have warning signs but can have severe effects on vision and eye health later. These conditions can be easily managed when caught early.

August is National Eye Exam Month, making it the perfect time to schedule a checkup appointment. But before you see a doctor, prepare and review the following information.

Which type of doctor should I see?

There are three types of eye specialists. Which one you see will depend on your eye condition or preference.

1.  Ophthalmologists provide total eye care, such as performing complete eye exams, prescribing corrective lenses, diagnosing and treating complex eye diseases, and performing eye surgery.

2.  Optometrists provide many of the same services as ophthalmologists. But if you have a complex eye problem or need surgery, you can be referred to an ophthalmologist.

3.  Opticians fill prescriptions for eyeglasses, including assembling, fitting, and selling them. Some will also sell contact lenses. Opticians do not provide eye health evaluations.

How often should I go?

The American Academy of Ophthalmology says people under 65 should have an eye exam at least every two years and one annually. However, depending on your visual impairment, health condition, and conversation with your doctor, the frequency of your visits might vary. For example, people with diabetes, previous eye trauma, surgery, or a family history of glaucoma may need an eye exam more often.

What should I expect during the exam?

On the day of your eye exam, expect questions about your vision impairment, general health, and family history. These answers will help your doctor understand your risk of eye disease and vision problems. Here is a sampling of questions:

The actual eye exam

After these preliminary questions have been answered, an eye exam will be performed. You might experience the following depending on your eye condition:

1.  Measurement of your visual acuity to see if you need glasses or contact lenses to improve your vision.

2.  Measurement of your eye pressure. To make it easier for your doctor to examine the inside of your eye, you will be given drops to dilate your eyes.

3.  Evaluation of eye health. After the dilating drops take effect, your eye doctor might use several lights or imaging to evaluate the front and inside of each eye.

After the exam

When your eye exam is over, you and your doctor will discuss the results of all testing, including an assessment of your vision, your risk of eye disease, and preventive measures you can take to protect your eyesight.

Now, with these basic tools on how to prepare for an eye exam, prepare yourself for an eye exam, make that call, and schedule your appointment today. Maintaining good eye care is essential to an overall healthy life.

Honoring Deaf-Blind Awareness Week 2021

What is deaf-blindness?

The U.S. began celebrating Helen Keller Deaf-Blind Awareness Week in 1984. President Ronald Reagan issued a proclamation setting aside time to recognize the important contributions of deaf-blind individuals. This year’s Helen Keller Awareness Week begins June 27.

Deaf-blindness overview

A deaf-blind individual has vision and hearing loss. This limits their access to auditory and visual information.

Individuals with deaf-blindness usually fall into one of four categories.

Deaf-blindness is rare and hard to track. Children with dual-sensory loss are usually tracked through the education system. Some individuals may voluntarily identify themselves with a social service or rehabilitation agency. Many older adults who are gradually losing vision and hearing will choose not to enter a system to receive assistance. Others might need help knowing where to go for help.

Typical common causes of deaf-blindness include:

Many people with dual-sensory loss will isolate themselves from others because they believe they can no longer participate in social activities. They may also pull away from activities they love. Others will start retreating inward and withdraw from engaging with family and friends due to the losses.

Signs that might include a change in hearing or vision include:

Rehabilitation training for deaf-blind individuals is similar to training and techniques learned by visually impaired individuals in many ways. However, accommodations are made based on the degree of hearing loss.

Auditory cues are sometimes eliminated, and tactile/vibratory indicators are taught. For example, a deaf-blind individual will not hear a pot of water boiling. They feel the handle to test the vibration to determine if the water is boiling. These minor changes in technique provide deaf-blind individuals confidence and safety.

Significant challenges are encountered when safely traveling and navigating city streets.  A blind individual relies heavily on hearing to identify cues, such as crossing an alley or parking garage. People with vision loss rely on sound to identify traffic patterns and to determine when to cross a street. When you cannot hear the traffic, safe travel can become challenging. Through learning specific orientation and mobility skills, safe travel can be achievable.

Hellen Keller once said, “When one door of happiness closes, another opens.”

Outlook Enrichment can assist you or your family member with dual-sensory loss. Deaf-blind people can and do live fulfilled lives. Contact us for more information.