Vibes members are busy folks. This summer they had a wide variety of adventures that focused on learning or expanding skills that will help them in independent living, school, or jobs. Also, some adventures that were just plain fun. We will go into more detail about specific activities next month. Let's see what they have been up to.
Sarah- "I started an internship at Genesis Neuroscience Clinic, which is a clinic for patients suffering from early-stage Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. My main duty is performing mental status exams on patients and entering my findings into the electronic medical record.
Diana- "Most of my summer was spent with family, church, and activities with Vibes and friends. I had several gatherings at my home when family members came from out of town. A special time was the 4th of July party with15 relatives." I also walked in my neighborhood, worked out at the gym, and attended Vibes Bookclub, Fit for Battle, and Chat on the Porch.
Owen- "I am taking braille lesson from Hadley, trying to get better at cooking, and working on some mobility skills."
Marian- "My summer began with a weeklong trip to Bend, Oregon. I met with friends I made at Ski For Light. We spent the week tandem-biking, hiking, and flatwater paddling with help from volunteers from a local adaptive sports program. I have been doing fitness through zoom and at the gym, and working in a small group in Oak Ridge to improve accessible transportation and infrastructure. I have also kept working on my braille lessons through the Hadley School for the Blind correspondence course.
Sariah- I went with my family to Big Ridge State Park. My mom and I rented a pedal boat which is definitely exercise for your legs! My mom and I also went to watch an outdoor showing of the movie frozen while enjoying popcorn and Kona ice snow cones.
Jacoby- I went on fantastic trips to Charleston and Charlotte after which I moved into a new apartment where I had a visit from a long-time friend from Memphis. Of course, foremost is taking care of my new kidney which is working great!
Campbell- In June of this year, I was fortunate enough to attend a cybersecurity camp for blind and visually impaired high school students at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, and it was an amazing experience! We did some computer programming and cryptography, deconstructed and reconstructed computers, played with circuits, discussed online safety, and learned about
cybersecurity careers.
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All Vibes events continue to be held via Zoom
AUGUST CALENDAR
19-Leadership Meeting; 7:00 pm
22,29-Fit For Battle; 3:00 pm
22-Chat on the porch; 7:00 pm
23-Mini-Grant Meeting-6:30 pm
31-Last Day to RSVP for General Meeting
SEPTEMBER CALENDAR
2-General Meeting; 7:00 pm
5,12,19,26-Fit for Battle, 3:00 pm
7-Last Day to RSVP for General Meeting
2-General Meeting; 7:00 pm
12, 26--Chat on the porch; 7:00 pm
13-Board Meeting; 6:00 pm
16--Leadership Meeting; 7:00 pm
19-Book Club, 7:00 pm
OCTOBER CALENDAR
3,10,17,24-Fit for Battle; 3:00 pm
5-Last Day to RSVP for General Meeting
7-General Meeting; 7:00 pm
10-24-Chat on the Porch; 7:00 pm
11-Board Meeting; 6:00 pm
17-Book Club; 7:00 pm
21-Leadership Meeting; 7:00 pm
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WHAT IS NEW THIS MONTH ON OUR BLOG PAGE?
SOME OF THE BEST AND WORST NEWS YOU'VE PROBABLY NEVER HEARD.
When new laws, policies, and rules are adopted the focus of these changes is usually the general public. There is rarely consideration of what the effect will be for those with disabilities. John explains what the impact of changes in voting laws will be for blind and visually impaired persons. Read John's blog
COMMENTS
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BEYOND KNOXVILLE
As Marian says, "I wish this Pandemic had never happened, but we are making lemonade out of lemons in Club Vibes because of it!" One of the best benefits that resulted from the Pandemic was doing all of our activities via Zoom. The benefit of this is creating new activities including Book Club, Chat on the Porch, and Fit for Battle. Participation numbers have increased because transportation is not an issue since everyone joins in from home. Club Vibes has now realized that a virtual format would allow folks from anywhere in the world to participate in Vibes activities and that is beginning to happen. Our Facebook Vision page, which is by invitation only, now has over 60 members including one from China! We are carefully screening who is allowed access to our Vision Facebook page. They must complete a questionnaire and agree to our rules before being granted access. Soon we are opening Fit for Battle up to those outside Knoxville.
JULY ACB CONVENTION
by Sarah
I attended several sessions(virtually) at the American Council of the Blind Convention in July. At a session on self-advocacy, I learned some useful tips on how to appropriately ask for help when needed and how to address the issue of unsolicited help. I also attended a low-vision vendor showcase, where HIMS discussed the latest models of CCTVs and handheld electronic magnifiers. During this session, I also learned about a company called WayAround, which is an electronic labeling system for the visually impaired. In addition, I attended a low-vision support group meeting and a session on job interview skills.
A MENTOR'S STORY
by Marian
As a Club Vibes mentor for the past seven years, I have struggled with getting to know our members and feeling helpful. The Pandemic has offered me opportunities to do both through Zoom and Facebook. Our list of Club activities has grown, and hosting the twice-monthly “Chat on the Porch” has let me spend time with members in a very informal setting, laughing and getting to know each other better and sharing our experiences and feelings in a relaxed and respectful setting. Being a weekly contributor to our Club Vibes Vision Facebook group gives me the chance to reflect on research, and post information that I think would be valuable to our members. Before the Pandemic, Club Vibes only met in person monthly and for tandem-biking and special outings. There was not as much time or convenient ways to connect, and so I did not get to know our members well who are spread out in and around Knoxville. I wish this Pandemic had never happened, but we are making lemonade out of lemons in Club Vibes because of it!
LIVING WITH KIDNEY DISEASE
by Jacoby
The biggest honor bestowed upon me this summer was the opportunity to speak (via Zoom) at the National Kidney Foundation on my experience with dialysis while waiting for a kidney. This was a huge moment for me because it provided me the chance to publicly speak about my ordeal of going through dialysis and hopefully, providing some encouragement to someone who also might be going through the same thing.
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BACK TO SCHOOL
It is hard to believe that we are already back to school. John has written a number of blogs over the last few years that have a wealth of information on how blind and visually impaired students can make the most of their school experience. There are even some blogs with information that will help parents maneuver their child's education. Here are some that are particularly helpful in getting a new year off to a smooth start. All of these articles are on the Club VIBES webpage at club-vibes.org. There is also a link to each article below the title.
SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS FOR A STANDARDIZED TEST
READING BOOKSHARE WITH MICROSOFT WORD
HOW TO PREPARE FOR TRANSITIONING TO COLLEGE
HOW CAN SOMEONE WHO IS VISUALLY IMPAIRED USE MICROSOFT WHITEBOARD?
TECH SKILLS FOR COLLEGE
HOW TO REQUEST ACCESSIBLE TEXTBOOKS IN COLLEGE
10 QUESTIONS TO ASK WHEN CHOOSING A VIRTUAL CLASS
KNOWLEDGE BEFORE COLLEGE (Part 1)
KNOWLEDGE BEFORE COLLEGE (Part 2)
SECRETS FOR PLANNING FOR A SUCCESSFUL IEP
SECRETS OF A SUCCESSFUL IEP MEETING
SECRETS FOR A SUCCESSFUL TRANSITION MEETING
SECRETS TO FOLLOWING UP ON THE IEP
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INTRODUCING ZIGGY
To many people, the name Alexa is synonymous with Amazon's smart speaker, Echo. Just say her name and she is at your service. Now there is a male-sounding option, Ziggy, if you want a change or if someone in your household is named Alexa There are also celebrity voices available for purchase such as Shaq. You can get the directions to make this change in the July 26 issue of "Cool Blind Tech" by clicking here. While you are at this link, you might want to explore other articles in this newsletter. It has interesting and useful tech articles for the blind and visually impaired. Click here for the general link to Cool Blind Tech.
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THANK YOU TO OUR PROGRAM PARTNERS FOR 2020-2021 |
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THE NALLS SHERBAKOFF GROUP LLC. |
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SMOKY MOUNTAIN WHEELMEN
BRONZE
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Ruth E. Bailey, D.D.S.
COSMETIC DENTISTRY OF KNOXVILLE
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