Thursday, September 30, 2010

Crosby mum-of-two takes on a Blind Drive Challenge to raise money for guide dogs - Crosby Herald

http://www.crosbyherald.co.uk/news/crosby-news/2010/09/16/crosby-mum-of-two-takes-on-a-blind-drive-challenge-to-raise-money-for-guide-dogs-68459-27275726/?sms_ss=email
---
This message was sent by mskathy via http://addthis.com/.

TBO.com -- Guide dog provides freedom for Vietnam vet

Hi there,
Here's a story on TBO.com that I thought you might like to read:
http://tbo.ly/bopEVh
From,
Kathy

Cornelia de Lange Syndrome: SOmetimes There's a way to Explain

Kids with CdLS are so interestingly fiesty! I've enjoyed every one of them I have had as a student!
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/health/Sometimes+there+explain/3544286/story.html

Visual Impairments Specialist
Westminster Elementary School
http://lee.ebrschools.org/kathynicholslee
http://www.kathyskids.org
http://teacherweb.com/LA/RobertELeeHigh/MrsMichael/t.aspx
http://mskathyskids.blogspot.com

Get in the game, with six weeks to go

MsKathyssLogo2.gif picture by mskathy0724

http://www.kathyskids.org
Ms. Kathy's Kids Blog: http://mskathyskids.blogspot.com/

----- Forwarded Message ----
From: "Mitch Stewart, BarackObama.com"
To: mrs
Sent: Tue, September 21, 2010 6:16:25 PM
Subject: Get in the game, with six weeks to go

Friend --

We're six weeks out from the November 2nd elections -- and the President is fired up.

Last night he recorded this video message for OFA supporters.

Thousands of you have already answered the President's call to donate, volunteer, and commit to vote -- but it's going to take all of us to stay aggressive over the next six weeks.

And, as the President said, the stakes this year are incredibly high.

Corporate interests are spending millions to make sure their Republican allies take control in the House and Senate -- and their vision for America could not be further from ours.

Whether it's health insurance reform, Wall Street reform, civil rights, or Social Security, Republicans are promising to repeal our historic victories, and then take us back to policies that favor corporate interests over middle-class families, and profits over people.

But this election belongs to us -- not special interests. And we've proved them wrong before.

We did it by volunteering, chipping in what we could, and talking to more voters than any campaign in history. We have to do it again this year.

The President is taking this message across the country, but he can't do it alone. Let's show him he has our support.

Watch the video -- and then chip in $5 or more to help us stay strong in these last six weeks:

https://donate.barackobama.com/SixWeeks

Thanks for all you do,

Mitch

Mitch Stewart
Director
Organizing for America

Paid for by Organizing for America, a project of the Democratic National Committee -- 430 South Capitol Street SE, Washington, D.C. 20003. This communication is not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.

Contributions or gifts to the Democratic National Committee are not deductible as charitable contributions for income tax purposes.

This email was sent to: mrs

Update Address / Email | Unsubscribe

REVEREND BOUDREAUX

heh heh

http://www.kathyskids.org

Ms. Kathy's Kids Blog: http://mskathyskids.blogspot.com/

--- On Mon, 9/27/10, Jennifer Lutterbie wrote:

Reverend Boudreaux was the part-time pastor of the local Cajun Baptist Church and Pastor Thibodaux was the minister of the Covenant Church across the road. They were both standing by the road, pounding a sign into the ground, that read:

'Da End is Near
Turn Yo Sef 'Roun Now
Afore It Be Too Late!'

As a car sped past them, the driver leaned out his window and yelled, 'You religious nuts!'

From the curve they heard screeching tires, and a big splash...

Boudreaux turns to Thibodaux and asks, 'Do ya tink maybe da sign should jussay.....'Bridge Out?'

=======
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Altheos Names Barbara Wirostko, M.D., Chief Medical Officer

News from Business Wire

ms kathy,

This press release was issued via BusinessWire.com. Go to www.BusinessWire.com for additional news - registration is free and quick!

September 30, 2010 08:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Altheos Names Barbara Wirostko, M.D., Chief Medical Officer

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Altheos, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company focused on next generation treatments for glaucoma and ocular hypertension, announced today that Barbara Wirostko, M.D., has been appointed Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Wirostko is a board certified ophthalmologist with glaucoma subspecialty training. Prior to joining Altheos, she was senior medical director and the glaucoma medical team lead at Pfizer where she was responsible for pipeline strategy in glaucoma, overseeing the pediatric development program and Global Medical Affairs Programs for the Xalabrands franchise. Prior to joining Pfizer, she was chief ophthalmologist specializing in glaucoma at the Huntington Medical Group PC in Huntington, NY. During her 10 years in practice, she was a clinical ...

Read the full news release on BusinessWire.com

Business Wire features breaking news from leading companies and organizations worldwide. We invite you to set up your free news profile personalized to your interests. Register now at www.BusinessWire.com.

30 of the Best Ophthalmologists in America | ASC Industry Leaders

Too cool!
http://www.beckersasc.com/asc-industry-leaders/30-of-the-best-ophthalmologists.html?sms_ss=email&at_xt=4ca4fbb8e7569eed,0
---
This message was sent by mskathy via http://addthis.com/.

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Brit scientists crack gene code of blindness-causing disease

E-Mail Article

This message was sent to you by: Ms. Kathy

Message from sender:

Brit scientists crack gene code of blindness-causing disease

London, Sep 16 (ANI): Brit scientists have discovered the gene that could trigger glaucoma-a common eye disease that causes blindness.

Fwd: News from AFB Press - September 2010

AFB

American Foundation
for the Blind

Expanding possibilities for people with vision loss

News from AFB Press- September 2010

Readers Praise JVIB CEU Partnership with ACVREP

On July 1, the American Foundation for the Blind and the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals (ACVREP) began a historic new partnership through which readers of selected articles in the Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness (JVIB) can earn continuing education units necessary for professional certification. Many practitioners are taking advantage of the ground-breaking new opportunity to further their professional development in a way that is both convenient and cost effective. Here are some of their comments:

"During these times of travel and other cost restrictions, what a great way to obtain professional credit. Thanks to those who had this scathingly brilliant idea."

"I work part time as a CVRT/COMS and I have a 14 month old son at home. Being able to get some CEUs through JVIB is perfect for me!"

"The questions were right on – not too easy and not too hard. And it's great to have that immediate feedback to know you passed. I look forward to earning some more CEUs next month!"

"I'm not real high-tech but I had no problem accessing and navigating the system."

To subscribe to JVIB and learn more about earning CEUs, click here.

____________________________________________________________

The Release of Foundations of Orientation and Mobility Celebrated at AER Conference

Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (AER) conference attendees got their first look at the highly anticipated new third edition of Foundations of Orientation & Mobility during the AER International Conference in July. Editors William R. Wiener and Richard L. Welsh signed bookplates one afternoon in the exhibit hall, surrounded by purchasers of this seminal text. A session describing the new edition was also part of the conference.

Foundations of Orientation and Mobility, Third Edition is now available in hardcover and ASCII formats. It was edited by Wiener, Welsh and Bruce Blasch. Volume 1, History and Theory is $79.95. Volume 2, Instructional Strategies and Practical Applications is $89.95. The 2-Volume set can be purchased for $145.00. To order call 1-800-232-3044 or visit the AFB Press online bookstore.

Click here to order Foundations of Orientation and Mobility

Editors of Foundations of Orientation and Mobility sign bookplates at the AER conference.

____________________________________________________________

Natalie Hilzen, AFB Press Director and Editor-in-Chief

AFB Press Director and Editor-in-Chief, Natalie Hilzen, Presented with C. Warren Bledsoe Award

AFB Press Director and Editor-in-Chief Natalie Hilzen was recently honored with the prestigious C. Warren Bledsoe Award by AER-BVI. The award was given at the AER international conference in Little Rock, Arkansas on July 23, 2010.

The C. Warren Bledsoe Award typically acknowledges publications that have made significant contributions to literature related to blindness. Recognizing an editor with this award was a decision by the nominating committee to acknowledge Natalie for her "incredible contribution to literature used around the world to help practitioners who serve families with infants, children, youth, adults, and elderly persons who are blind and visually impaired."

"No one has done more to provide our field with high quality literature and to exemplify a professional standard of excellence that challenges us all to do our best," said Dr. Jane Erin, professor at the University of Arizona who has been an AFB Press author and who presented the award. "Natalie is the driving force behind much of the literature of our field, including a number of Bledsoe award winning publications."

View AER's list of previous Bledsoe recipients.

____________________________________________________________

Call for Papers – JVIB 2011 Special Issue: A Celebration of Orientation and Mobility

As the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the first university preparation program for orientation and mobility (O&M) practitioners approaches, the Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness (JVIB) invites papers that examine research and practice in the area of O&M. Guest editors for the issue, which will be published in October 2011, are Richard G. Long, Ph.D., COMS and Diane L. Fazzi, Ph.D., COMS.

As the world becomes increasingly fast-paced and the built environment more complicated, the practice of imparting O&M instruction to people who are blind or visually impaired becomes all the more challenging. Papers on topics on the profession and innovations and challenges for practitioners are invited for this special issue. The deadline for submissions is January 31, 2011.

For more information about the call for papers, click here.

____________________________________________________________

News from AFB Press

AFB Press
American Foundation for the Blind
#2 Penn Plaza, Suite 1102
New York, NY 10121
212-502-7640
press@afb.net

AFB Press is the leading publisher in the field of blindness and visual impairment in the United States. It produces books, journals, videos, and electronic materials, offering a wide range of information for students, professionals, researchers, and blind and visually impaired people and their families.

Click here to go to the AFB Press online bookstore.

____________________________________________________________

Click here to go to the AFB Press online bookstore!

You can unsubscribe at any time. To remove your name from this mailing list, or to find out what other newsletters are available from AFB, visit http://www.afb.org/myAFBNewsletter2.asp. American Foundation for the Blind #2 Penn Plaza, Suite 1102 New York, NY 10121

Confessions of a deafblind Mother:

http://rustycyot.blogspot.com/2010/09/our-mini-vacation.html
Visual Impairments Specialist
Westminster Elementary School
http://lee.ebrschools.org/kathynicholslee
http://www.kathyskids.org
http://teacherweb.com/LA/RobertELeeHigh/MrsMichael/t.aspx
http://mskathyskids.blogspot.com

12-year-old climbs mt kilimanjaro to combat blindness

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/outposts/2010/09/12-year-old-climbs-mt-kilimanjaro-in-fund-raising-effort-to-combat-childhood-blindness.html

From seattlepi.com: Blind horse thrives with Othello family

ms kathy has sent the following story to you
from seattlepi.com.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Blind horse thrives with Othello family
OTHELLO, Wash. -- "Up mama, up, up, up," says Lori Marchand, of
Marlin.
* Read the full article at:
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/6420ap_wa_blind_horse.html

Court rules blind father cannot take son to Disneyland

Ms. Kathy says: "What!? Grrrrrrrr!"
http://www.globaltoronto.com/Court+rules+blind+father+cannot+take+Disneyland/3569331/story.html
---

Twelve Tips for Classroom Teachers

An NFB Article by a mom of a visually impaired student.

http://www.nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/fr/fr19/fr05si10.htm

Ms. Kathy has sent you a New Vision News Article!

Hi there!
Ms. Kathy thought you might be interested in this article from The New Vision online: http://www.newvision.co.ug/
They also added this comment:
"GRRRRRRR!"
Govt tables Bill to recognise albinos
By Catherine Bekunda
and John Odyek

ALBINISM has been included in the new disability coding by the gender, labour and social development ministry, state minister Emmanuel Otaala said. The minister tabled the National Council for Disability Amendment Bill, 2010, which contained the new list, before Parliament yesterday.
Albinos have been complaining of neglect by the Government, having been excluded from the 2006 Persons with Disability Act.

They argue that the exclusion deters them from benefiting from development programmes as they suffer stigma and discrimination.

Albinism is a condition where a person is born without enough skin pigment called melanin. Melanin is a chemical that colours the skin, eyes, and hair. Without it, people look pale and their hair may appear yellow.

In the Bill, the disabled are categorised as sensory disabilities, physical disabilities, including those whose limbs have been amputated. Deformities, including lower limbs, spinal cord injuries, rheumatism, club feet and albinism are also included.

The Bill also seeks to streamline the election of persons with disabilities to Parliament and local government councils. Representatives will now be chosen basing on their political party affiliations in accordance with the multi-party system through the formation of electoral colleges.

"In forming electoral colleges, gender should be taken into consideration," Otaala said. The Electoral Commission will be required to facilitate the formation of electoral colleges at different levels of government.

In addition, the EC shall appoint returning officers and presiding officers for the purpose of conducting elections of representatives of persons with disabilities.

"Any person with disabilities who meets national standards for elections has a right to contest for any elective office to represent persons with disabilities," reads the Bill.

At every level of representation, a committee of five members shall have a representative of the blind, deaf, physically disabled, women with disabilities and youth with disabilities.

The district executive committee members shall form four regional electoral colleges to elect four representatives to Parliament and a woman representative, according to the Bill.

You can also read the article online at: http://www.newvision.co.ug/detail.php?mainNewsCategoryId=8&newsCategoryId=13&newsId=733430

Govt Tables Bill to Recognise Albinos

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From: Ms. Kathy
Email:
Headline: Govt Tables Bill to Recognise Albinos
Link: http://allafrica.com/stories/201009290106.html

Both wear size 12 boys' elementary school uniforms

For the people who asked about the sizes for the elementary school uniforms: Both boys wear size 12 top and bottoms. One is a slim 12. He needs velcro or elastic waist band pants because of the cerebral palsey but he will accept regular zip and button pants.The colors are burgundy on top and navy blue pants. You can send them to me. Drop a note in my FB inbox and I will give you the PO box. I'd like for them to have your return address so they can send thank you notes.

Friday, September 24, 2010

Experts Offer New Hope on Glaucoma

Hi Ms. Kathy,
Kathy stopped by Daily Echo website
and suggested that you visit the following URL:
http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/8393825.Experts_offer_new_hope_on_glaucoma/

Visual Impairments Specialist
Westminster Elementary School
http://lee.ebrschools.org/kathynicholslee
http://www.kathyskids.org
http://mskathy.proboards30.com
http://mskathyskids.blogspot.com

MD News - Dorzolamide, Usher Syndrome

http://www.mdnews.com/news/hd/2010_38/hd_643112?sms_ss=email
---

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

large print cell phone

For my kids, past and present who have wanted a larger print cell phone, check this link:

http://www.independentliving.com/prodinfo.asp?number=813201

Visual Impairments Specialist
W E S
http://lee.ebrschools.org/kathynicholslee
http://www.kathyskids.org
http://mskathy.proboards30.com
http://mskathyskids.blogspot.com

Hospice-Angola style www.onelastshotthemovie.org

From my friend Lou who used to volunteer here and this is how she knows Brother Checo.

http://www.kathyskids.org
Ms. Kathy's Kids Blog: http://mskathyskids.blogspot.com/

Forwarded Message ----
From: Lou

HELLO FRIENDS AND FAMILY:

Watch this video. This is where I worked for years at Angola. Saw many of my inmates die and was holding their hand, but I know where they are and I will see them one day. What an experience that is embedded in my mind forever. Tears are flowing down my face as I watch this. Very touching to me and brought back such sad and such wonderful memories that I will never, ever forget. I know many of these inmates. Nelson Lane was working in Hospice when I was there. A funeral at Angola is something really heart breaking, but it was something to see when all their inmate friends got up to speak about their special loved friends, especially when they were ready to meet Jesus. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Of course, I gave 30 years of my life to inmates, so it may mean something totally different to me than it will to you, but watch it anyway, I think you will be thoroughly blessed. www.onelastshotthemovie.org

One of the inmates fears is being buried at Look Out Mountain at the prison, but many are buried there as their family have forsaken them or all their family have died and they are all alone, so Look Out Mountain at Angola Prison is the only place they can be buried. Be blessed as I was.In Christ love,

Lou Beyl

Subject: Hospice-Angola stlye

Lou, you've got to watch this. When I saw it, I instantly thought of you and the work you did for years and still doing in prisons.

Click on this link ….

http://www.w.onelastshotthemovie.org

- amblyopia

Dr. Neli Nesheva: Amblyopia disease is included in the clinical pathway under the interference of the national ophthalmology consultant

25 August 2010 | 17:28 | FOCUS News Agency

Home / Bulgaria

Sofia. The amblyopia disease has been added in the list of the clinical pathway diseases under the influence of the national consultant for ophthalmology in the ordinance 40, which could be amended solely and only by the Ministry of Healthcare. This happened in the beginning of January. Then the disease had become a part of the clinical pathway, as the whole pathway had entered years ago. This is what head of the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) Dr. Neli Nesheva said for FOCUS News Agency.
The disease is included in the clinical pathway 138, which is in the basic set of the Ministry of Healthcare since 2007. The NHIF pays off the whole basic package, which is determined by the Ministry of Healthcare and the addendum for paying off for amblyopia disease is included after a proposal by the national consultant for ophthalmology with the Minister of Healthcare since January 1, 2010.
National consultants offer amendments to the algorithm of the clinical pathways. Thus in that case the national consultant for ophthalmology had given the proposal the amblyopia disease to be included in the clinical pathway 138 by January1, Nesheva explained.
"Alexieva has no relationships with the Health Insurance Fund", the NHIF manager said and added that the agreement was signed between the NHIF and Vizus hospital, and this hospital as any other that meets the requirements could contract under the clinical pathways.

http://www.google.com/url?sa=X&q=http://www.focus-fen.net/index.php%3Fid%3Dn228832&ct=ga&cad=:s7:f2:v0:d1:i0:lt:e0:p0:t1282789865:&cd=yMqFFrpQBd8&usg=AFQjCNEd2zdijzf2pW69FRpkjQxEzX_MtA

Visual Impairments Specialist
W___ E___School
http://lee.ebrschools.org/kathynicholslee
http://www.kathyskids.org
http://mskathy.proboards30.com
http://mskathyskids.blogspot.com

Sixty Diabetes Seconds May Prevent A Diabetes Life

Kathy has shared a Huffington Post article with you:
60 Diabetes Seconds May Prevent A Diabetes Life

They also included a personal note:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60QEBpFh5Ho&feature=player_embedded

- sent by Kathy

Thought [Thanx Jennifer!]

An interesting thought!

One day I hopped in a taxi and we took off for the airport. We were driving in the right lane when suddenly a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us. My taxi driver slammed on his brakes, skidded, and missed the other car by just inches!
The driver of the other car whipped his head around and started yelling at us. My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. And I mean, he was really friendly. So I asked, 'Why did you just do that? This guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!'
This is when my taxi driver taught me what I now call, 'The Law of the Garbage Truck.' He explained that many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it and sometimes they'll dump it on you. Don't take it personally. Just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on. Don't take their garbage and spread it to other people at work, at home, or on the streets.

The bottom line is that successful people do not let garbage trucks take over their day. Life's too short to wake up in the morning with regrets, so... Love the people who treat you right. Love and pray for the ones who don't.

Good Morning!! Hope you are having a nice day.

Article from Xconomy recommended by kathy: Otonomy Gets $38.5M, Avalon Helps Restart Drug for Age-Related Blindness, Accumetrics Heads Toward Profitability, & More San Diego Life Sciences News

Hi MsKathysKids,
Your friend, kathy, thought you'd be interested in this article from Xconomy:
Otonomy Gets $38.5M, Avalon Helps Restart Drug for Age-Related Blindness, Accumetrics Heads Toward Profitability, & More San Diego Life Sciences News
Posted by Bruce V. Bigelow on September 2, 2010 (7:40 am).
Here are kathy's remarks:
N/A
If the article link above doesn't work, try copying this url and pasting it into your browser:
http://www.xconomy.com/san-diego/2010/09/02/otonomy-gets-38-5m-avalon-helps-restart-drug-for-age-related-blindness-accumetrics-heads-toward-profitability-more-san-diego-life-sciences-news/
For more of the latest biz/tech news, visit Xconomy at http://www.xconomy.com/.

AstraZeneca joins UCL to find stem cell cure for diabetic blindness

Kathy M spotted this on the guardian.co.uk site and thought you should see it.
-------
Note from Kathy M:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2010/sep/12/astrazeneca-ucl-stem-cells-diabetes-blindness
-------
To see this story with its related links on the guardian.co.uk site, go to http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2010/sep/12/astrazeneca-ucl-stem-cells-diabetes-blindness
AstraZeneca joins UCL to find stem cell cure for diabetic blindness
AstraZeneca and UCL researchers look to use stem cells to repair eyesight in rising number of diabetic retinopathy patients
Julia Kollewe
Monday September 13 2010
The Guardian

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2010/sep/12/astrazeneca-ucl-stem-cells-diabetes-blindness

AstraZeneca and University College London (UCL) will announce a research partnership tomorrow to develop medicines that use stem cells to repair damaged eyesight in people with diabetes.
Under the three-year deal funded by the drugmaker, researchers from AstraZeneca will team up with scientists at the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology to work on new medicines that use the regenerative capacity of stem cells. They hope to come up with a compound in three to five years, which could then undergo clinical development and possibly be on the market in 10 years' time.

Dr Marcus Fruttiger of the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, who is leading the project, said: "These tools could be used either to manufacture transplantable material or to directly stimulate new cell growth in the eye to help restore or improve the vision of those with diabetic retinopathy [DR]."

DR is now the most common cause of vision impairment or blindness among western people of working age. The majority of patients with type-1 diabetes, which occurs when the body produces no insulin and often develops during the teenage years, will suffer eyesight problems and about 20%-30% will become blind. Moreover, at least 50% of patients with type-2 diabetes ? the far more common type of diabetes, which occurs when the body produces too little insulin or when cells in the body do not react properly to insulin ? will also develop retinopathy over time.

With the rapid spread of type-2 diabetes, which is linked to obesity, the need for a retinopathy treatment will grow as more than 438 million people are expected to suffer from diabetes by 2030. A study published this year by Oxford University predicted that eight out of 10 men and almost seven in 10 women will be overweight or obese [http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2010/feb/16/adult-obesity-rises" title="eight out of 10 men and almost seven in 10 women will be overweight or obese] by 2020. It forecast a 98% rise in obesity-related diabetes by 2050.

Alan Lamont, director of sciences and technology alliances at AstraZeneca. said: "We're getting very keen on the whole area of regenerative medicines and they will be part of our research development over the next few years." He said the collaboration aimed to come up with a treatment that could be administered to the back of the eye to repair damage locally.

AstraZeneca's US rival Pfizer also has a partnership with Professor Pete Coffey of the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, for another eye condition, macular degeneration. Coffey said: "It's great that 'Big Pharma' is considering regenerative medicines as a serious possibility." He added: "This is British science being developed into a commercial entity with the pharmaceutical industry. It's a good example why the government shouldn't cut funding for biomedical research."

While this is the first time that AstraZeneca has worked on medicine for retinopathy, diabetes has been an area of focus. The company has a new diabetes treatment on the market called Onglyza, which was developed with Bristol-Myers Squibb, and the companies are developing a second diabetes drug that could be submitted to regulators for approval later this year.

Monday, September 13, 2010

AmSlang site I use

I use this web site because it has little movies to show the signs rather than a still photo or drawing.

http://commtechlab.msu.edu/sites/aslweb/A/W0149.htm

Go to this link and open the PowerPoint for another fun way to use the site:

http://teacherweb.com/LA/RobertELeeHigh/MrsMichael/photo1.aspx

Visual Impairments Specialist
W E S
http://lee.ebrschools.org/kathynicholslee
http://www.kathyskids.org
http://mskathy.proboards30.com
http://mskathyskids.blogspot.com

Pepsi grant for Blind Teens Program

Hi! will you please take a few minutes to help our blind teens as per Eric's letter below? Thanks

K.Michael

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Greetings,

I am writing to you because you can, and I know very likely will, help me. Thanks in advance for participating with me in this initiative for blind high school students. Pepsi is awarding two grants of $250,000 each and the National federation of the Blind is working to secure one of these to help with the costs associated with the 2011 Youth Slam to be held next summer. There have been two successful Slams (in 07 and 09) which promote involvement in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math)—fields often thought inaccessible to the blind. The NFB has shown that this is not the case, and we would love your help in voting for us to receive one of the Pepsi grants to use to empower these students.

PLEASE NOTE: I am not asking you for any money; you can help without taking a bite out of your budget. All you have to do, once per day for the month of September, is text 101913 to the number 73774 (which spells Pepsi). You will get a confirmation text acknowledging your vote. What would really be awesome is for you to let others know to do the same (tell your friends and colleagues, use your Facebook wall, blog about it, etc.). The more people who vote, and remember to do so each day, the greater chance we have. We started out in 60^th place, but have moved up to 15. Help us move into the top 2!

Thanks so much for taking literally 20 seconds out of each day—time well spent to further opportunity for others!

Eric Guillory, Director of Youth Services

Louisiana Center for the Blind

101 South Trenton Street

Ruston, LA 71270

Phone: 800-234-4166

Fax: 318-251-0109

Visual Impairments Specialist
WES
http://lee.ebrschools.org/kathynicholslee
http://www.kathyskids.org
http://mskathy.proboards30.com
http://mskathyskids.blogspot.com

Braille Institute to Host Seminar on Vision Loss

You have been sent an online news article from Kathy as a courtesy of mydesert.com.

Article Title:
Braille Institute to host seminar on vision loss
To view the contents on mydesert.com, go to:
http://www.mydesert.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/201009021313/NEWS01/100902025

Diabetes/Blindness videos

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60QEBpFh5Ho&feature=player_embedded

Visual Impairments Specialist
WES
http://lee.ebrschools.org/kathynicholslee
http://www.kathyskids.org
http://mskathy.proboards30.com
http://mskathyskids.blogspot.com

Wake Up Call (Part 1)

Saturdays I spend about an hour at the city jail in a mentoring program. I volunteered to spend a year with a mentoree who is going to be out within six months--following her for about six months inside and six months outside. We help them make a plan for when they are released, talk with them and provide them with resources like transportation to a half-way house upon release, clothes, job leads and the like. The time we meet with them inside is precious. They come even though they will not receive any certificates.

This is not a part of Kairos Prison Ministry but a program funded by a federal grant. So we cannot bring up religion unless the ladies open the door. Very often they open the door.

We had one lady who really wasn't part of the program but she enjoyed the talks we have in the classroom. Although we meet as a group, we are one-on-one mentor and mentoree. At anytime that our mentorees want to speak to us alone we can separate to a corner of the room to speak in private.

My first mentoree had an awesome plan. She knew her family would be there to support her. She couldn't wait to have a talk with her son who was expecting her second grand child. She is in her early 30s and he is about seventeen! But she was planning on trying to open a restaurant after working while staying with family until she could get on her own. She'd made it known to some of the others when I was not present that she would have to celebrate her release with a cold beer and a party somewhere! I gave her a week of celebration before I called her at the number she gave me. When I received the obligatory call back, I knew that she'd been to the halfway house for just two days because their were too many rules for her to follow. She had decided to stay with some friends on the other side of town rather than family. I'm assuming family had too many rules also. Her last words in the phone call were with the attitude , so here I am having a good time and no one will hire you when you've been in jail anyway so this is it. See ya.

Just last week on my way to one of my first schools of the morning, I get this panicky call: "Ms. Kathy! I need help! I found me a nice apartment and I'm all moved in but I ain't found a job yet and the rent is due and I really don't wanna lose this apartment. Can I get in touch with Ms. ___? I need some help from Second Chance. I really don't wanna lose my apartment!"

My husband's term for it: backassward. We discuss baby steps and what order to take them and how it takes time before you get your job and then your own apartment. I told her I'd give her predicament to the leaders of our program and advised she call my church. I know they take care of rent and utilities for people in dire need but I couldn't guarantee anything from them. I was sitting out in front of my first school of the day while I gave her the phone number to the church office.

Meanwhile, I'm given a new mentoree that my sponsor claims is just made for me because she is an eighteen-year-old runaway. I was starting to think they figured she should be mine since my husband is white and since the girl is, too, then I should be able to talk to her. I really could see no other reason at first. This child was used to talking a certain way to be manipulative for survival reasons. She couldn't look me in the eye and she had these stories...

That was about hurt, shame and hiding things when you think people who know your insides might use it against you in some way. She had to know that we didn't ask what she did to get there because it didn't matter. She needed to know that what she told us stayed with us. She needed to know that we were not the ones with whom she needed to play her usual games because we didn't want anything or need to be convinced of anything. Nor were we there to look into her case or have anything to do with court or sentencing.

I sensed years of stuff hanging around her neck. I gave her a forgiveness paper. Just a regular piece of notebook paper with the large words "FORGIVENESS" written across the top. I told her that it may seem like a silly insignificant thing to do but she should make a list of people that she needed to forgive and let go. I told her that she could take as many days as she needed to complete the list. We do this activity as part of the Kairos Prison Ministry weekend and the guys make a big ceremony out of it. It really releases burdens from unforgiveness. It was the type of assignment she could keep to herself. If she wanted to share it, she could, but she didn't have to. I wanted her to review her list, pray over it and then tear it into tiny pieces and flush it down the toilet or throw it in the trash--but let it go.

(Stay tuned for Part 2--if I don't go to sleep this evening)

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Lucas - Journey of a Baby Hero: Lucas is 65 days today. And he is still breathing ...

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will this one go thru?

Y/N?

Visual Impairments Specialist
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Treating Blindness is More Than Meets the Eye

I heard this story on the radio and it finally came to my in box.
Sometimes, I'm concerned about people who were never able to see or who lost vision very early in life and whether or not they process what they see...and if having to do all that is worse for them than not seeing.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129731859

Dictionary of the Future

This was a very interesting and rather humorous article concerning future word use. Actually, more so than aan article it is a glossary of sorts.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/13/opinion/13coupland.html?_r=1

Sunday, September 12, 2010

Celebrating Deafblind Education-- Sept 24

DeafBlind Education week is the week of September 24. I had a class of four older deafblind kids when I taught in Florida. They also taught me much! I'm very grateful!
http://childraisetrust.blogspot.com/2010_09_01_archive.html

Yupyup. Thass me

http://mskathyskids.blogspot.com

Thursday, September 9, 2010

2010 September 06 | Preemie Twins Blog

2010 September 06 Preemie Twins Blog
http://preemietwins.com/2010/09/06/

Friday, September 3, 2010

Prototype Yeast Corneas Can One Day Cure Blindness

http://www.geeky-gadgets.com/prototype-yeast-corneas-can-one-day-cure-blindness-02-09-2010/

Otonomy Gets $38.5M, Avalon Helps Restart Drug for Age-Related Blindness, Accumetrics Heads Toward Profitability, & More San Diego Life Sciences News

http://www.xconomy.com/san-diego/2010/09/02/otonomy-gets-38-5m-avalon-helps-restart-drug-for-age-related-blindness-accumetrics-heads-toward-profitability-more-san-diego-life-sciences-news/