[Blindvet-talk] Fwd: Huntington VIST Newsletter
PresidentNABV at aol.com
PresidentNABV at aol.com
Sat Sep 26 00:12:52 UTC 2009
Dwight D. Sayer
National President,
The National Association of Blind Veterans
A Division of the NFB
presidentnabv at aol.com
president at nabv.org
_www.nabv.org_ (http://www.nabv.org/)
____________________________________
From: BlindguysRus1
To: PresidentNABV
Sent: 9/25/2009 12:26:08 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time
Subj: Fwd: Huntington VIST Newsletter
____________________________________
From: Dalene.Renfroe at va.gov
Sent: 9/24/2009 11:03:09 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time
Subj: Huntington VIST Newsletter
Huntington VAMC
VIST
Visions
Newsletter from the Visual Impairment Services Team
VIST Coordinator/Newsletter Editor:
Dalene Renfroe
Office Phone: 1-800-827-8244, ext. 2847
August/September/October 2009
The VIST Program is designed to provide service to severely visually
impaired and legally blind veterans.
This Newsletter is also available on cassette tape and by
E-mail. Please contact the VIST Office if you would like to receive the
newsletter in a different format.
1-800-827-8244, ext. 2847
VIST SUPPORT GROUP
October 16th at 10:30 am – Director's Training Room, 1st Floor
November 20th at 10:30 – Director's Training Room, 1st Floor
**December 11th at 11:30 – Holiday Dinner, Recreation Hall**
Please join us each month for the VIST Support Group meetings. It is a
great way to get to know other blinded veterans, learn new things, and
discuss concerns.
DRIVE THROUGH FLU SHOT CLINIC
The Medical Center will offer convenient drive through flu shot clinics
for veterans on Tuesday, September 22, Saturday, October 3 and Tuesday,
October 6, from 8:00 a.m. to 3 p.m. Walk-in flu shots are available at your
Primary Care Clinic or at the entrance of the VA Medical Center.
LOCAL VIST VETERAN SPEAKER IN FRANCE FOR
D-DAY 65TH COMMEMORATION CEREMONY
(http://www.uscgsanfrancisco.com/go/doc/786/279447/)
UTAH BEACH, France - Mr. Tommy Harbour made three trips in LST PA33-4
delivering troops and equipment to the beaches of Normandy June 6, 1944. Photo
by John Tomassi
Huntington VIST Veteran, Tommy Harbour, was a speaker at the 65th
Commemoration Ceremony of D-Day in France. Many of you know Tommy from the VIST
Support Group, our host for the fishing trips, and/or as the former mayor of
Milton. Tommy was honored when asked to speak. His landing craft, the
PA33-4, is located at the Memorial. He said he spoke from the heart and just
told it like it was. Someone commented that he spoke without any notes.
He reminded them that even if he had had notes he wouldn't have been able
to see them!
Tommy was 18 when he was sworn into the Coast Guard on July 5, 1943. He
was trained by both Coast Guard and Marine Corps personnel to become a motor
machinist or "motor mac" (now known as a boat engineer) for the vehicle
and personnel landing craft (LCVP), also known as the Higgins boat. He was
then assigned to the Coast Guard-manned attack transport USS Bayfield
(APA-33), where he served s a motor mac for one of the USS Bayfield's LCVP
landing craft, PA33-4.
During the invasion of Normandy, June 6, 1944, Tommy's landing craft had
orders to land soldiers on Utah Beach. However, due to heavy losses, Tommy
was instructed to land on Omaha Beach instead. After delivering troops to
Omaha Beach, Tommy made several more landings on Utah Beach under heavy
gunfire from German shore batteries.
Two months later while preparing his landing craft for the invasion of
southern France, a German airplane dropped a bomb, which hit LCVP PA33-4 while
cradled on the Bayfield. Unharmed, Tommy then made several landings at
Saint Raphael in a different landing craft with another boat crew.
After his European campaign, Tommy continued his assignment aboard the
Bayfield and participated in the invasion of Iwo Jima. During the invasion
and despite heavy Japanese gunfire, Tommy transported Marines and supplies to
the beaches of Iwo Jima. On the second and third days of the invasion,
Tommy continued to make landings, hauling supplies such as flame-thrower
fuel, mortar shells, and hand grenades to Marines who were clearing the
island. Additionally, Tommy took part in the Okinawa invasion with a force that
simulated landing operations in an effort to confuse the island's Japanese
defenders. Tommy completed a total of four invasions from the Bayfield in
a 10-month period.
Following his active duty service in the Coast Guard, Tommy served his
community as the mayor of Milton, West Virginia for 17 years. Tommy became
legally blind due to macular degeneration in 2003. He attended the VA's
Southeastern Blind Rehabilitation Center, Birmingham, Alabama, in 2005. He
has great things to say about his time at the blind rehab center and tells
other blind veterans they need to go. Tommy remains active and he is a
member of the Blinded Veterans Association and the Disabled American Veterans.
He is active in the VIST Support Group and the Huntington Veterans Center.
He continues to advocate for veterans benefits.
FISH TALES
Our June VIST Support Group Fishing Trip and Cookout was a great success!
The weather was perfect and the fish were really biting! Jim caught the
largest fish. It was so big it wouldn't fit into the net! Honest! One of
the volunteers got down on the bank and pulled it to shore. I believe Roy
caught "Big Blue", the biggest bluegill ever known to man. Richard caught
the most fish and Charlie snagged the prize for smallest fish.
We had several that just came for the fun of it and enjoyed the cookout.
That Betty is the best cook ever!
Thank you Tommy and Betty for having us. Thanks also to our volunteers
that helped – Tom Moore, Eric Renfroe, Pat Rice, our volunteer drivers, and
optometry students.
IT'S A SCAM!
The Office of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs has issued the following
warning: “I have received many reports that veterans are being contacted by
"Patient Care Group" representing that they are helping administer VA
prescriptions and stating that the pharmacy billing procedures have changed and
they are therefore requesting Veteran credit card numbers for prescription
payments in advance of filling their prescriptions. This is false. VA
does not call veterans asking to disclose personal financial information over
the phone. VA has not changed its processes for dispensing prescription
medicines.” Be safe. Never give out personal information to any
unsolicited phone caller.
OCTOBER 15
NATIONAL WHITE CANE SAFETY DAY
Ever have anyone ask you why you carry that "stick"? Do people think your
white cane is pretty but have no idea that it means anything? How could
they possibly not know about the white cane for the blind?
Unfortunately, many people don't know or don't see a white cane often
enough to remember. It could be one of those memories buried way down deep in
the brain and they know, but they don't know.
The first special White Cane Ordinance was passed in Peoria, Illinois in
December 1930. It gave blind pedestrians protections and right-of-way while
carrying a white cane. In the early 1960’s, organizations and
rehabilitation agencies serving the blind and visually impaired urged Congress to
proclaim October 15 of each year to be White Cane Safety Day in all fifty
states. In 1964, a joint resolution of the Congress, HR 753, was signed into
law authorizing the President of the United States to proclaim October 15 of
each year as “White Cane Safety Day” and was signed within hours of
passage.
President Lyndon B. Johnson first proclaimed National White Cane Safety
Day in 1964 with these words, “A white cane in our society has become one of
the symbols of a blind person’s ability to come and go on his own. Its use
has promoted courtesy and special consideration for the blind on our
streets and highways. To make our people more fully aware of the meaning of the
white cane, and of the need for motorists to exercise special care for the
blind persons who carry it, the Congress, by a joint resolution has
authorized the President to proclaim October 15 of each year as White Cane
Safety Day.”
HISTORY OF THE WHITE CANE
Where did the White Cane come from? There are references in the Bible in
Deuteronomy and in Ancient Greek Mythology about giving a staff to a blind
man. It is known that in Scotland in 1800 blind men used a stick or cane,
but it is not clear how they used it. In 1874, a man named Levy in England
came up with the first organized cane system. His system was not truly
practical. A man carried a stick that was very tall. He would hold it
straight up and down. He then would move it from side to side and walk very
slowly. Levy did talk about extending the cane forward when looking for
drop-offs.
In the 1890’s a man named Robinson, also in England, came up with another
method. He had a man hold a metal cane. The person would hold the cane
straight up and down also. He would then swing the cane back and forth like
the pendulum of a clock. This was not a very practical system; however,
his idea of a metal cane was very innovative. He also noticed that roads
were crowned in the middle, that people tend to go to the right as they walk,
and that people pick up information through their feet.
During World War I the British rehabilitated their war blind at St.
Dunstan's. They used a fairly modern technique that had the person holding the
cane forward and using a side-to-side movement.
In the period between the World Wars, the Lions Club advocated for laws
protecting the visually impaired from motorists. They provided white canes
with red tips so that the visually impaired pedestrian could be clearly
identified. The red and white color for canes still is used today.
Veterans blinded in WWII were the inspiration for the development of
lightweight canes and travel techniques still used today. The basis of modern
Long Cane travel came from the Army and a remarkable man named Richard
Hoover. Most of his techniques are seen today in the cane travel many of you
have been taught.
IF I ONLY HAD A CANE
Lyrics by VIST Veteran, Carolyn Calhoun
(Sung to the tune of "If I Only Had a Brain" from "The Wizard of Oz")
I've spent oh so many hours
Tripping over flowers,
Falling in storm drains.
I could unravel the great riddle,
What is the curb and what's the middle.
My life would be so easy,
I would move so nice and breezy,
If I only had a cane.
Oh, I could walk so easily
>From the mountain to the shore,
And then I turn around
And walk some more.
Boy would I be something,
I would be really strutting,
I would be tripping over nothing,
My life would be so easy,
I would move so nice and breezy,
If I only had a cane.
HAND WASHING
AN EASY WAY TO PREVENT INFECTION
Hand washing is a simple habit that can help keep you healthy. It is
something most people do without thinking. Yet hand washing, when done
properly, is one of the best ways to avoid getting sick. This simple habit
requires only soap and warm water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
THE DANGERS OF NOT WASHING YOUR HANDS
Despite the proven health benefits of hand washing, many people don't
practice this habit as often as they should — even after using the toilet.
Throughout the day you accumulate germs on your hands from a variety of
sources, such as direct contact with people, contaminated surfaces, foods, even
animals and animal waste. If you don't wash your hands frequently enough,
you can infect yourself with these germs by touching your eyes, nose or
mouth. And you can spread these germs to others by touching them or by
touching surfaces that they also touch, such as doorknobs.
Infectious diseases that are commonly spread through hand-to-hand contact
include the common cold, flu and several gastrointestinal disorders, such
as infectious diarrhea. While most people will get over a cold, the flu can
be much more serious. Some people with the flu, particularly older adults
and people with chronic medical problems, can develop pneumonia. The
combination of the flu and pneumonia, in fact, is the eighth-leading cause of
death among Americans.
Inadequate hand hygiene also contributes to food-related illnesses, such
as salmonella and E. coli infection. According to the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC), as many as 76 million Americans get a
food-borne illness each year. Of these, about 5,000 die as a result of their
illness. Others experience the annoying signs and symptoms of nausea, vomiting,
and diarrhea.
PROPER HAND-WASHING TECHNIQUES
Good hand-washing techniques include washing your hands with soap and
water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Antimicrobial wipes or
towelettes are just as effective as soap and water in cleaning your hands but
aren't as good as alcohol-based sanitizers. The combination of scrubbing your
hands with soap — antibacterial or not — and rinsing them with water
loosens and removes bacteria from your hands.
PROPER HAND WASHING WITH SOAP AND WATER
Follow these instructions for washing with soap and water:
Wet your hands with warm, running water and apply liquid soap or use clean
bar soap. Lather well.
Rub your hands vigorously together for at least 15 to 20 seconds.
Scrub all surfaces, including the backs of your hands, wrists, between
your fingers and under your fingernails.
Rinse well.
Dry your hands with a clean or disposable towel.
Use a towel to turn off the faucet.
PROPER USE OF AN ALCOHOL-BASED HAND SANITIZER
Alcohol-based hand sanitizers — which don't require water — are an
excellent alternative to hand washing, particularly when soap and water aren't
available. They're actually more effective than soap and water in killing
bacteria and viruses that cause disease. Commercially prepared hand
sanitizers contain ingredients that help prevent skin dryness. Using these
products can result in less skin dryness and irritation than hand washing.
Not all hand sanitizers are created equal, though. Some "waterless" hand
sanitizers don't contain alcohol. Use only the alcohol-based products.
The CDC recommends choosing products that contain at least 60 percent
alcohol.
TO USE AN ALCOHOL-BASED HAND SANITIZER:
Apply about 1/2 teaspoon of the product to the palm of your hand.
Rub your hands together, covering all surfaces of your hands, until
they're dry.
If your hands are visibly dirty, however, wash with soap and water, if
available, rather than a sanitizer.
WHEN SHOULD YOU WASH YOUR HANDS?
Although it's impossible to keep your bare hands germ-free, there are
times when it's critical to wash your hands to limit the transfer of bacteria,
viruses and other microbes.
Always wash your hands:
* After using the toilet
* After changing a diaper — wash the diaper-wearer's hands, too
* After touching animals or animal waste
* Before and after preparing food, especially before and immediately
after handling raw meat, poultry or fish
* Before eating
* After blowing your nose
* After coughing or sneezing into your hands
* Before and after treating wounds or cuts
* Before and after touching a sick or injured person
* After handling garbage
* Before inserting or removing contact lenses
* When using public restrooms, such as those in airports, train
stations, bus stations and restaurants
(Source: mayoclinic.com)
WALKING THE DOG
A plane was flying from Seattle to San Francisco. Unexpectedly, the
plane was diverted to Sacramento along the way. The flight attendant explained
that there would be a delay, and if the passengers wanted to get off the
aircraft, they would re-board in 50 minutes.
Everybody got off the plane except one lady who was blind. The man had
noticed her as he walked by and could tell the lady was blind because her
"Seeing Eye" guide dog lay quietly underneath the seats in front of her
throughout the entire flight.
He could also tell she had flown this very flight before because the pilot
approached her, and calling her by name said, "Kathy, we are in Sacramento
for almost an hour. Would you like to get off and stretch your legs?"
The blind lady replied, "No thanks, but maybe Buddy would like to stretch his
legs."
Picture this:
All the people in the gate area came to a complete stand still when
they looked up and saw the pilot, who was wearing sunglasses, walk off the
plane with a "Seeing Eye" guide dog!
DID YOU KNOW?
Did you know…
· That on average a two (2) mile section of road contains
approximately 32,000 pieces of litter?
· The most common item found during a litter cleanup is fast food
wrappers?
· The second most common item is aluminum cans?
Don't be a litter bug! Keep our beautiful area beautiful!
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