by admin | Dec 3, 2019 | Blog, News
❄️ Snow storms can be dangerous and disruptive. Here are some things to keep in mind about how snow affects people who are blind or have low vision. ❄️
Snow muffles the sounds of things, which can make orientation difficult to persons who are blind or have significant low vision, as they rely on echoes and other sounds to orient themselves to their surroundings. Thus, crossing a street can be challenging because it’s harder to hear sounds of traffic.
Snow interferes with information from white canes – it’s difficult, if not impossible, for cane users to know where they are when the streets are snow covered, as edges of sidewalk and other cues are not readily available.
Snow and ice also cause challenges for people using guide dogs. Salt, although great for getting rid of ice, can hurt a dogs paws, and guide dog owners must take extra precautions to protect their four-legged companions.
How to stay safe if you must go out in the snow:
• take precaution and walk at a slower pace;
• don’t hesitate to ask for help from those nearby;
• bundle up;
• consider alternative methods of transportation such as taxi services.
Stay warm, and safe travels to everyone!
by admin | Dec 1, 2019 | Blog, News
Continuous stress and elevated cortisol levels have been shown to negatively impact the eye and brain due to autonomic nervous system imbalance and vascular deregulation. (Click article link for detailed information)
Glaucoma, for example, is an eye condition damaging the optic nerve, the health of which is vital for good vision. This damage is often caused by an abnormally high pressure in your eye, and the pressure tends to be higher due to elevated cortisol (stress hormone) level.
What can you do about lowering stress? We recommend exercising, doing some yoga and meditating!
At Vision Loss Alliance, we offer several fitness and movement courses for our Health and Wellness Program participants.
Our Yoga class is aimed to help our students:
1. gain balance – when vision loss occurs, since visual cues are no longer available, balance tends to suffer;
2. learn to meditate – to reap all the benefits of quieting one’s mind;
3. get exercise – low-impact exercise is a great way to lower cortisol levels and release endorphins!
Please consider donating to our programs on #givingTuesday, so we can continue to offer programs for the health and well being of people in our community who are blind or have low vision!
by admin | Nov 30, 2019 | Blog, News
Weekends are a great time to relax. Have you considered meditation?
Several studies have shown that meditation can lower intraocular pressure and improve quality of life for people who have glaucoma by lowering stress hormones like cortisol. Click the link for the article explaining the connection.
Here at Vision Loss Alliance of New Jersey, we incorporate meditation into several classes in our Wellness Program. It’s very effective in creating a mind-body connection, lowering stress, and helping with an overall sense of well-being, not to mention the health benefits of lowering eye pressure.
Please consider our nonprofit on #givingTuesday so that we can continue offering a wide array of programs to help people with vision loss and blindness.
by admin | Nov 25, 2019 | News, Press
Vision Loss Alliance of New Jersey announced it received a Major Grant of $15,000 from The Provident Bank Foundation to support its new Technology Learning Lab.
When it opens in early 2020, the Technology Learning Lab will enhance both the personal and professional lives of people with vision loss. Participants will train on the latest platforms, learning to harness the power of desktop technology, software such as Fusion, and virtual assistants like Amazon Alexa and Google Home.
“We are grateful to the The Provident Bank Foundation for recognizing the value of the Technology Learning Lab and its promise of increasing the independence of people with vision loss,” VLANJ Executive Director Kris Marino said.
A $15,000 Major Grant from The Provident Bank Foundation was presented Thursday to Kris Marino, Executive Director, and Christina Brino, Learning Lab Instructor from VLANJ by Foundation Executive Director Jane Kurek, along with Robert Rocco (VP/Market Manager) and Isis Corris (AVP/Banking Center Manager) of Provident Bank.
“The Provident Bank Foundation is honored to help further initiatives that are making a difference in the lives of residents in our local area,” Kurek said. “We are pleased to support organizations that contribute to a sense of community and offer a diverse set of programs that make people healthier, happier and safer.”
The goal of the Major Grant is to support organizations that have identified an immediate need in the community and for the individuals they serve. The Provident Bank Foundation’s funding directly supports efforts to enhance the quality of life in the New Jersey and Pennsylvania communities served by Provident Bank through three Funding Priority Areas: Community Enrichment, Education, and Health, Youth & Families.
by admin | Nov 24, 2019 | Blog, News
It’s no secret that poor diet is bad for your health. Did you know it can also lead to vision loss? This helpful article explains the link.
Make sure to eat lots of leafy greens, citrus fruits, orange fruits and vegetables, beans and cold-water fish for a well-rounded diet to keep your eyes well nourished!
