These are a selection of stories written by staff members at the Lighthouse of Collier. Our team members develop unique and special relationships with each client, which is reflected in this retelling of each clients’ successes.
Jason is a 6-year-old boy who moved to the U.S. from Guatemala within the last few years, and is still in the process of learning English. He came to the Lighthouse earlier this year. His mother reported that he had trouble seeing things that were far away, and that he would suffer from headaches. During the initial intake, it became apparent that Jason did not know his letters.
To remedy this, a Lighthouse instructor spent substantial time with Jason each week going over the alphabet with the use of large-print flashcards, in an effort to increase his literacy and educational outcomes. Only four months later, Jason had progressed enough to be able to identify and write all his letters, and the sounds they make — and will eagerly show you if given the chance!
Lucy is a Lighthouse of Collier vocational rehabilitation client. She has been a client for many years, having lost her vision at a young age. Lucy was resistant at first to learning the skills needed to help her adapt to her new eye condition. Looking back, Lucy observed that she felt defeated and had lost hope of ever again being independent due to her visual impairment. With the hard work and perseverance of Lighthouse of Collier staff, Lucy now understands why it was important for her to learn the skillsets being taught.
Now, Lucy is working closely with a Lighthouse of Collier case manager to move out on her own. Lucy attends the recreation and leisure class weekly. Lucy is very social in group classes and is now able to serve as an additional resource for other clients, as she is always willing to share information and help. Lucy’s commitment and effort are inspiring to her peers, as well as to Lighthouse staff in their daily work.
Jeremy is a 17-year-old boy with cortical vision impairment. Although his eyes are healthy, damage to the brain’s pathway affects his ability to understand and interpret what he sees. Jeremy is further challenged with cerebral palsy, affecting his ability to control his muscles. Jeremy receives services from the Lighthouse in his home with interventions focused on increasing his responses to visual, tactile, and auditory stimulation. He also attends monthly group events through the Lighthouse; his favorite activity is touching the alligator and bear skins at the Naples Zoo!
Rachel is a 70-year-old woman living with a visual condition that causes blind spots and peripheral field loss. When first coming to the Lighthouse, Rachel expressed that she had given up on completing most of her daily tasks due to frustration. The Lighthouse instructor visited her home and provided her with training to organize and label items in her pantry, and adaptive techniques for managing her finances. The instructor took the time to label her kitchen appliances, including her stove, oven, microwave, and Keurig.
In addition, Rachel has participated in the Lighthouse’s weekly cooking class. Now she raves that she has begun cooking dinners at home again for the first time in years, and is able to brew coffee for herself and her husband!
Roy is a 50-year-old man living with retinitis pigmentosa (RP), which has resulted in total vision loss. He recently came to the Lighthouse of Collier seeking services to assist him in attaining employment. Roy does not speak English. A Lighthouse of Collier instructor visited his home to complete an initial assessment. Roy participates in the Lighthouse’s weekly cooking class and regularly expresses that he will recreate the recipes at home for his wife.
Joey is a 12-year-old boy with a condition affecting his central vision. When he came to the Lighthouse a year ago, he had difficulty reading his assignments at school. The Lighthouse of Collier provided him with an electronic magnifier to use at school and a large CCTV (closed circuit television) to use at home to magnify print so he could do his homework. Joey is thriving academically with his new accommodations.
In addition to academic success, Joey has an ear for music. After only a few months of instruction, Joey played Besame Mucho at his recital, complete with a violinist and another pianist accompanying him. Collaboration between the Lighthouse and the piano teacher was instrumental in creating a successful learning environment for Joey.
If you would like to own one of these cocktail table books, please donate a suggested selling price of $35.00 to Lighthouse of Collier and we will send you one straight away.
Lighthouse of Collier dedicated the book to Art Bookbinder, a man who could see beyond blindness. He was a great friend and leader. May he rest in peace. August 1942 – April 2020.
