It is never too early to begin preparing when facing a vision-related challenge. When Malia Thibado received her CCTV on 10/16/09, she was a preschooler able to identify colors and letters, but not yet reading. The training conducted at the Sight Savers America office was first given to her mother, then Malia under her mother’s supervision. She has since started school and is quickly learning phonics and to read.
Emily and Sarah are sisters who share the same vision issues that introduced them to Sight Savers. They also share a CCTV that is very helpful to both girls with their homework and for reading books from the public library that are not enlarged print.
Before she started using the CCTV, Angel was making only passing grades in kindergarten. After she began using it, Angel performed much better in school. The CCTV reduced eye strain, causing less frustration.
Liam White was already a gifted student when he received a computer with JAWS (Job Access With Speech) software on 6/18/2008. In the second grade he was reading all Braille on a fourth grade level. Liam won a Braille competition and went to California to compete on a higher level. He is the only child in Alabama to ever win this opportunity.
Christian uses his CCTV every day. He struggled more in school before getting a CCTV. The CCTV made it easier for his sister and him to do independent reading and research, which was important because he had no access to equipment at school.
Mason is a typical boy, with the exception of having low vision and a prosthetic eye, which caused some problems with reading. To assist him, Mason received a 6×16 monocular telescope, a compact portable magnifier and glasses.
Shelby has Stargardts’s disease. In addition to glasses, it was recommended that she use a CCTV. Shelby was provided a CCTV by Sight Savers America. She was very excited to receive it and quickly learned to use it.
Christian was born at 24 weeks and is a twin to brother, Bryce. He received a CCTV that he uses daily to assist with school work and for personal enjoyment.
Josh and Zachery are brothers and both have albinism and low vision. They received a CCTV and large print books and magnifiers also aid the boys with their school work.
The CCTV that Christopher Blake received was another important aid that empowered the then fourth grader.
Based on a doctor’s recommendation, Sight Savers purchased Adran Delain a CCTV and other vision aids in 2007. This equipment dramatically improved Adran’s education, social development, his self esteem and motivation. Adran’s mom informed Sight Savers, “being able to see more things, has built his self esteem so much that he went on a diet and lost about 80 lbs. He is studying for the ACT test, and he bought the study guide with his birthday money.”
The CCTV Simon received was useful with completing home schooling studies and also reading cooking instructions, which promotes his independence.
Hannah is gaining independence through the use of a CCTV, a book stand and magnifier at home. Having access to aids both at home and school kept her on path toward academic success.
At a time when most young people are excitedly planning their futures, a disease was causing Charlie Johnston’s vision to fail. He was not deterred in his goal to complete his education. Charlie’s CCTV was delivered on 4/1/2003 and was useful in his preparation for studies at Shelton Sate Junior College and later, the University of North Alabama.
Dana was almost nine years old when she received her CCTV. She used it daily to help with homework, which made it easier to remain on the honor roll.
Xandria, a five-year-old kinder- garten student at T.R. Simmons who suf- fers from vision problems, recently re- ceived a gift from Sigh Savers, a nonprofit that serves Alabama, Mississippi and Lou- isiana by providing tools to increase chil- dren’s ability to see. Photo by: Rachel Davis
Sight Savers America, in partnership with UAB Ophthalmologists, marked a milestone in April – seven years of delivering free eye care to pre-screened children in the Alabama Black Belt. On April 19th, our annual Perry County clinic provided free comprehensive eye exams for 93 children and distributed 61 pairs of eyeglasses, fitted on-site, by our incredible partners at Lenscrafters.
Children attending the clinic had been prescreened and referred to Sight Savers America by Vision Research Corporation, Focus First, Sight Savers School Vision Screenings, and school nurses in the Perry County area. For many of these children, our annual eye clinic is their only option for routine eye care.
Sight Savers returned to Marion on May 4 to deliver eyeglasses to the 59 children who had received a glasses prescription at the clinic. Lenscrafters representatives were on-site to fit and adjust each child’s glasses as they were delivered. There were many big smiles that day, as lots of these children were receiving their very first pair of glasses, enabling them to finally see things clearly.
On April 13-15 2012 Sight Savers America was fortunate to send two staff members and three Americorps members to volunteer at the Songs for Sight camp for the visually impaired at Children’s Harbor on Lake Martin. The three day camp consisted of fun and educational activities for children with visual impairments and their families. The children were introduced to activities not usually accessible for those with visual impairments. They were able to take boat rides, play in a tree house, attempt a ropes course, attend group sessions, and most importantly interact with other children sharing some of the same disabilities.
“We were very fortunate to be able to volunteer at this event. I made many new friends and strengthened my relationships with some old ones. It was amazing to see just how full of life these kids are. They do not let their vision, or lack thereof, inhibit them from exploring all aspects of life. These children taught me so much more than I could ever teach them and I look forward to the event next year.” Sight Savers America Low Vision Coordinator Carter Naftel
SSA Volunteers Include: Leigh Downs – Low Vision Department Manager, Loree Killebrew – Americaorps, Low Vision Coordinator, Whitney Bell – Americorps, Low Vision Coordinator, Andrea Harris – Americorps, Eye Care Coordinator, Carter Naftel – Low Vision Coordinator/Graphic Designer/Web Producer
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