A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM ANNE YEADON
April 2009

Creating Personal Connections That Change Lives

Dear Friend,
You’ve likely received one or more of our email newsletters. But this email is a bit different. I wanted to take a moment to share with you a more personal side of VisionAWARE. In addition to providing unique content to help people who are blind and have low vision on our web site, we also act as part resource, ombudsman, and counselor to people with vision loss, their friends, family and people who support them, along with professionals in the field.

Last year over 600 people — from those living with vision loss to their wives, husbands, partners, sons, daughters, social workers, and other health care and social service personnel — e-mailed or called VisionAWARE for help. That's in addition to the thousands who visited our website and found information they needed online.

What is most inspiring about Ask VisionAWARE is the hope and validation the team gives to people with vision loss and their families. This innovative free opportunity encourages people to reclaim their lives, their hopes, and their dreams. The personal connections that are developed provide a lifeline of emotional support and understanding, as well as answers to questions and guidance to desperately needed resources.

Sheri’s Story
VisionAWARE’s triumph this week was helping Sheri, a young woman from Florida. Sheri contacted VisionAWARE for help in finding a way to get surgery for a serious cataract in one eye, which, according to her doctors, would soon lead to permanent blindness if it remained unattended. VisionAWARE was able to connect her with resources at the Florida Division of Blind Services. Sheri is now waiting to be evaluated by a surgeon and recently sent us this message:

“You have been such a godsend to me. I really do so appreciate everything that you have done. Don't be surprised if you get something from me every now and then letting you know how it’s going. You are worth whatever they are paying you and then some. Maureen, you will one day be richly rewarded for the kindness and compassion you have shown me, until then you will have to settle for my humble thanks.”

VisionAWARE works hard to help people like Sheri. Every day we provide new content on our web site, use Twitter to share quick updates and stay in touch, and take direct questions through email and by phone. We need your help to continue sharing self-help information, support, and resources to others like Sheri and the more than 21 million adults with vision loss, their families, and the professionals who work with them. Every donation makes a difference!

Please make a gift online today!

Thank you,

Anne Yeadon
Founder and President
VisionAWARE, a program of AWARE

AWARE is Looking for Board Members

Meet our President! AWARE’s President is Anisio Correia. Anisio helped launch AWARE and has held numerous senior and executive management positions for small and larger nonprofit vision rehabilitation service organizations in the United States. Blind since childhood, Mr. Correia is now Vice President for Programs at the Center for the Visually Impaired, Atlanta, Georgia.

“Being part of providing resources and support through our VisionAWARE resource has been extremely fulfilling. The stories of all the people we help are remarkable and reminds me every day, how we help people live a more fulfilling life.”

About VisionAWARE
AWARE is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit social service organization. AWARE's primary focus is VisionAWARE, a "Self-Help for Vision Loss" web site that includes Questions & Answers on a wide range of topics, including eye diseases and disorders, home management, home modification, reading and writing, personal care and grooming, recreational activities, crafts, braille, computers and technology, and helpful services and resources.

VisionAWARE is made possible through the generous support of
Reader's Digest Partners for Sight Foundation.

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