[nfbmi-talk] Sue Ponchillia

[Fred Wurtzel]

Susan Ponchillia, a noted Western Michigan University professor who
researched blindness, dies at age 55

By  <http://connect.mlive.com/user/kzgazette/index.html> Kalamazoo Gazette
staff 

October 14, 2009, 11:45AM

susan ponchillia
<http://media.mlive.com/kzgazette_impact/photo/susan-ponchillia-70e0ac783886
8875.jpg> View full sizeSusan Ponchillia KALAMAZOO - Susan Ponchillia, a
well-known Western Michigan University professor and researcher in blind
rehabilitation, died Monday in Kalamazoo.

Ponchillia, 55, was a faculty member in the Department of Blindness and Low
Vision Studies for 28 years and spent decades working with people of Tlicho,
a nation in sub-Arctic Canada, who experience a high incidence of inherited
vision loss.

Her cause of death was not released.

It was just this past summer that Ponchillia and partners in the project,
including her husband, Paul, released a documentary that chronicled the
Canadian community in which about 1,900 residents are affected by inherited
vision loss.

"Sing Me a Fish: Tlicho People of Subarctic Canada Living With Vision Loss,"
was meant to educate on the risk of inherited vision loss and explore how
other cultures cope with such diseases.

Ponchillia regarded the work as the capstone of her professional career,
according to a WMU news release, and  planned to join her husband in
retirement in December.
Paul Ponchillia was also a professor in the department and worked with his
wife on the research in Tlicho over the past 20 years.

The two also worked together to create and develop  annual sports camps at
WMU for blind athletes. The camps have attracted students with visual
impairments from across the state and nation for some 22 years, according to
WMU.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Oct. 24 at First Presbyterian
Church in Three Rivers.

 

 

Below is some information about places that Sue would like anyone interested
to make a donation.

 

Also, just a quick update on Paul.  I spoke with him this evening.  He has
family with him and he is coping.  He is doing about how you would expect at
a time like this.  Many of you had asked me to share with Paul that you are
thinking of him.  I conveyed your messages and he is very appreciative.

 

Sue was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Three
Rivers/Centerville, where her memorial service will be held on Saturday
October 24th at 2 p.m.    

 

Donations to:

Paul and Susan Ponchillia Vision Rehabilitation Therapy Student Scholarship
Fund

Department of Blindness and Low Vision Studies

1903 W. Michigan Ave.

MS 5218

Western Michigan University

Kalamazoo, MI  49008

 

Or, Kalamazoo Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired, P.O. Box 50603,
Kalamazoo, MI 49005

 

Or, Habitat for Humanity of St. Joseph County, P.O. Box 96, Three Rivers, MI
49093

 

 

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