A legally blind reverend offered advice on breaking the cycle of negative thinking. An English musician who lost his sight in his late 30s described how writing poems and lyrics helped him reclaim his purpose. A dietician specializing in diabetes gave tips to maintain well-being through healthy eating and exercise.
That’s a sampling of Vision Loss Alliance of New Jersey’s speaker series, Achieve Resilience, Inspiration & Self-Empowerment (ARISE). More than 150 people have registered for the series, which kicked off last September.
“It’s about inspiring people with vision loss to persevere and rise up,” said VLANJ Vice President of Programs Elsa Zavoda. “We want people to feel they have no barriers to what they want to achieve.”
ARISE runs four times a year. It is one of several speaker series made possible by a nearly $16,000 grant from Atlantic Health System/ Morristown Medical Center for programs that support healthy aging.
Living Independently For Tomorrow (LIFT) is the online version of VLANJ’s effective in-person Essential Low Vision course. It provides basic training in daily life activities over three weeks. Strength Through Relationships, Insights, Values, Education (STRIVE) addresses mental health aspects of adjusting to life with vision loss.
VLANJ Voices Education Speaker Series is the newest offering, and has attracted more than 100 people, Zavoda said. For the inaugural webinar, an orientation and mobility specialist discussed tips and strategies for getting around. In February, participants learned about a national pharmacy devoted to patients with vision loss.
In addition to broadening participants’ knowledge, ARISE and the other programs “establish human connection, so people don’t feel alone and isolated,” Zavoda said. The virtual programs are especially beneficial to participants who lack transportation to the in-person classes in Denville and Ridgewood.
ARISE has received overwhelmingly positive reviews from participants. Dora Meler said the program motivated her and made her feel less alone. It helped her “remember that there are others out there experiencing the same life challenges as I am,” she wrote. “It’s important to continue to find ways to lead an independent life versus not venturing out of the comfort of my home.”
Michele Valuzzi said she related to David Steele, The Blind Poet. “As someone who has written poetry but hadn’t in a long time, I was inspired by Dave’s talk, and I started writing poems again,” Valuzzi said. “His life is a great example of resiliency because he doesn’t let his visual impairment hold him back or define him.”
Explore more of what VLANJ’s programs offer here.