Research for resources on affordable and accessible plans was conducted. Currently research revealed companies such as Straight Talk, Consumer Cellular and Walmart Family Share Plan as among some of the best options for Veterans to date. Healthy Eating Initiative The Living Skills Healthy Eating Initiative was enhanced to include various substitutions that can be used to make meals healthier. For example, did you know you can use a banana instead of butter when baking? Or apple sauce instead of oil? Sewing Finally, even the Sewing Program was refreshed this Summer as a result of the enthusiastic Summer Intern group. Benefits of sewing include enhancing focusing skills and reducing anxiety attacks. The sewing area was reorganized and new lesson plans were created to enhance Veteran’s learning and motivation to try this craft. A new supply of fabric and other sewing supplies were added to the sewing station to ensure successful projects for our Veterans. New Blind Rehabilitation Technology; BRAINPORT In our ongoing efforts to improve access to care to Blinded and Visually Impaired Veterans, the Central Blind Rehabilitation Center at Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital is now providing training on a new FDA approved device designed to offer an additional alternative to assistive devices used by the Blind and Visually Impaired. This new device promises to enhance outcomes when used along with other assistive devices such as the long cane or guide dogs. This technology is known as the BrainPort ®V100. Offering this additional option to Veterans will ultimately enhance our system of care in providing the latest in assistive technology for the blind. BrainPort ®V100 is a battery-powered device that includes a video camera mounted on a pair of glasses, and a small, flat intra-oral device containing a series of electrodes that the user holds against their tongue. Software converts the image captured by the video camera into electrical signals that are then sent to the intra-oral device and perceived as vibrations on the user’s tongue. With training and experience, the user learns to interpret the signals to determine the location, position, size and shape of objects and to determine if objects are moving or stationary. It is a non-surgical alternative which uses other senses to give users information about the size, shape and location of objects. By processing visual images with their tongues, it is essentially a different way to see. Offering this device and associated training heighten functional independence for blinded Veterans, and would enhance independence in performing activities of daily living. The existing blind rehabilitation program is
the ideal environment to train blinded Veterans on this new device. Certified Rehabilitation instructors are already familiar with the barriers that blinded individuals encounter in daily life, and are prepared to provide the support needed for Veterans to be successful in training on this device. By adding this innovation to the current program of care offered through Blind Rehabilitation, this innovation allows VA to Offer an increase in efficiency in access to care Increase Patient Satisfaction Maintain VA’s position as a leader in Blind Rehabilitation Reinforce VA’s ability to offer the latest in cutting edge technology Eligible best candidates for this device? Confirmed written visual diagnosis by an eye care specialist of “No Light Perception or “Light Perception Physically healthy to travel frequently outside the home Previous successfully completed conventional blind rehabilitation including orientation and mobility training with a long cane Familiar with the use of access technology Reading ability to comprehend the training manual Sufficient hearing (with assistive listening devices if necessary) Manual dexterity sufficient to manipulate controls Meet the Staff In this of the Torch, we are featuring the dedicated staff in the Visual Skills Department. Introducing, Christina (Chrissy) Delbridge. Chrissy is originally from Milwaukee, WI, but grew up in Wyoming, MI. She earned her Master’s in Blind Rehabilitation at Western Michigan University, coming to Hines in 2004 to complete her internship. Her background is in Orientation and Mobility. Chrissy has spent the last 13 years in the Visual Skills Department. Susan Knauff hails from Munster, IN. Her educational background is in Occupational Therapy along with a dual Master’s degree in Rehabilitation Teaching and Orientation and Mobility, which she earned at Northern Illinois University. Susan has been at Hines for 13.5 years working in O&M as well as Visual Skills. Mike McCarthy comes to us from Milford, MI. Mike exhibits a special interest in the new technologies available in the Visual Skills arena. His graduate degree is from Western Michigan University and he holds certifications in O&M, RT, and LV. He has been a part of the Visual Skills staff since 2012. Keely Moran is the newest member of the department. Keely is from Harvard, IL. She attended Carroll University and received her Master's in Blind Rehab