December 2014
In This Issue
Happy Holidays
Team With A Vision
INSIGHT Blog
 
Sinead Kane wearing a robe at her graduation as a solicitor, standing in front of a statue
Sinead Kane
Have you checked out the Massachusetts Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired's blog?

Our latest guest blog is written by Sinead Kane, Ireland's first visually impaired solicitor and the first visually impaired female to finish the Dublin Marathon.

In addition, Sinead is a PhD researcher, a motivational speaker, and a tireless advocate for the blind and visually impaired.

In her blog, "Kane and Able," she talks about overcoming obstacles to achieve your goals, and how her experience with childhood bullying led her on her current path.

Read the full article by clicking below. 
 
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Volunteer 
 
Want to make a difference in someone's life by lending your sight for just a few hours each week or month? Sign up to be a one-on-one volunteer!

We will provide training on how to assist someone who is blind, and will match you with an individual in or near your community who could use assistance with common tasks such as shopping or reading mail. 
 
Donate
 
Want to help support our work? Any amount can transform lives.
 
Happy Holidays from MABVI!

A collage of photos, with a woman speaking with her eye doctor, two Team With A Vision runners running the Boston Marathon, and an occupational therapist demonstrating an iPad app for a man

   

As the holidays approach, we at the Massachusetts Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired reflect on what was an outstanding 2014, and we look forward to an even bigger 2015!

 

Over the past year alone, our vision rehabilitation services have grown by 300%. In 2014 we:

  • Served 1,140 Massachusetts residents, helping them learn the skills they need to live with low or no vision.
  • Helped 424 people cope with vision loss through 34 peer support groups.
  • Provided 837 vision rehabilitation home visits and 302 low vision exams at centers across the state.
  • Assisted 142 people in reading mail, paying bills, obtaining groceries, and traveling to medical appointments by pairing them with caring and committed volunteers.
  • Made 375 escorted trips to medical appointments.

As the "baby boomer" generation ages, we will see a sharp increase in age-related vision loss (the number of individuals with uncorrectable vision loss is expected to double by 2030), making the services we provide increasingly necessary to help people with vision loss live confidently  in their communities.

 

We are determined the meet this pressing need, but we can't do it without your help. Please support our Annual Fund today and make a difference in someone's life.

 

Your tax-deductible contribution will mean that individuals all over Massachusetts can receive vision rehabilitation and support services that will help them live with dignity and independence.  

 

To make a donation online, click here to be taken to our secure online donation form. 

  

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Jr. Team With A Vision at the Paralympic Experience
A Junior Team With A Vision member wheelchair racing on a track with the help of a Delta Gamma volunteer
A Jr. Team With A Vision member wheelchair racing with the help of a Delta Gamma volunteer

  

Recently MABVI and our Junior Team With A Vision, along with volunteers from Delta Gamma, attended the Paralympic Experience event at the Harvard Athletic Complex!

The event allowed people with visual or other impairments to experience a wide range of activities and learn about programs offered by over 20 adaptive sports organizations in Greater Boston.
 
To view more pictures from the event, click here.  
About Us:
 
The Massachusetts Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired is a program of MAB Community Services. MABVI has been creating opportunities for blind and visually impaired individuals since 1903. Our experience allows us to forge strong community partnerships to meet the pressing need for high quality services and transform lives. 
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