These are a selection of stories written by staff members at the Lighthouse of Collier about our Adult population.
Meet Lucy
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.
Meet Rachel
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!
Meet Roy
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.
More Stories
Purchase Seeing Beyond Blindness
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.
