by Carly Eden Stokes | Oct 6, 2021 | Blog, News
Bill Schuldt smiles into the camera with green foliage behind him.
Dear Friend,
I am excited to be welcoming participants back to our Denville and Ridgewood locations this month, and I’m looking forward to meeting more of the VLANJ community. (It was a pleasure meeting more than two dozen people over Zoom back in May.) While our virtual programming kept staff and students connected during the pandemic, there’s nothing like gathering in person, to learn with and support one another.
In my first months as president and CEO, I find myself impressed by the drive and commitment of our staff, students, and trustees. We are busy developing plans for robust offerings going forward, a combination of in-person and online classes. This will be a work in progress, as we learn what works and strike a balance for using our current resources.
We resumed in-person Better Health and Wellness classes this month, with COVID-19 protocols in place. Rather than have all students attend on a single day, we will host two weekly sessions, with roughly half of participants attending each. Everyone will be required to wear masks. As always, our goal is to keep us all healthy.
Virtual classes have been invaluable during the pandemic, and we were proud to roll out new programs for healthy aging. We have Atlantic Health System’s Morristown Medical Center Community Health Committee to thank for the grant that funds LIFT, STRIVE, and the newest addition, ARISE, a virtual speaker series which will feature a variety of topics designed to motivate and inspire people with vision loss to achieve their best selves.
I want to acknowledge a generous — and unexpected — bequest we recently received from the estate of a VLANJ supporter. We are honored to be remembered in her will. VLANJ is so grateful to donors who contribute monthly and annually but hope more supporters will also include us in their estate planning. Over VLANJ’s 78-year history, bequests have played an important role in our funding. We are establishing a legacy society so supporters can inform us of their intended gift, allowing us to plan accordingly.
Know that VLANJ’s work of empowering people with vision loss in all aspects of life could not happen without our supporters. I look forward to getting to know more of you in the coming months. Please feel free to reach out to me by phone or email with your ideas and questions. Wishing you well.
Sincerely,
Bill Schuldt
VLANJ President and CEO
wschuldt@vlanj.org
(973) 627-0055 ext. 1333
by Carly Eden Stokes | Oct 6, 2021 | Blog, News
Claudia Schreiber devoted her life to lightening the burden of others. In death, she continues to support the visually impaired, funding programs at Vision Loss Alliance of New Jersey that once helped her.
Claudia died May 26 from colon cancer at age 61, leaving behind dear family and friends, and a legsight acy that will fortify VLANJ programs for years to come.
Claudia Schreiber stands in front of tables full of people smiling, holding a white cane.
“Claudia wanted to be sure programs receive the funds, because that’s where her passions lay,” said Michelle Bookbinder, Claudia’s friend of 20 years. Days before her death, the mother of two donated $10,000 to establish The Claudia Schreiber Program Fund. She asked that friends and loved ones continue to contribute to the VLANJ fund in her memory, Bookbinder said.
The Marlboro resident was an artist and entrepreneur, as well as an advocate for the visually impaired, becoming a VLANJ trustee in 2018.
“Claudia was a very active trustee from the start, always giving wise counsel,” Board of Trustees Chair Carl Augusto said. As chair of the board’s program committee, Claudia championed strong technology programs, including the Technology Learning Lab, Augusto said. “She was admired and inspired by everyone she met,” he said.
Claudia lost her vision completely in 2005, and diligently figured out ways to adapt. The advent of the iPhone “really opened up her world,” Bookbinder said. She happily shared what she learned, teaching others with vision loss useful smartphone apps and the voiceover program that could help in their daily life. Sometimes, she simply listened to their concerns.
“She really liked helping people in a personal way,” Bookbinder added.
An autoimmune disease began affecting Claudia’s vision in her early 20s, two decades before she became blind. In 2008, she began attending VLANJ, taking a class that rekindled her passion for art. The first piece she created was a self-portrait with clay. The instructor “gave me the courage to get back into my life,” Claudia said in a 2019 interview. “I fell in love with this organization.”
For three years, Claudia ran an art program for the New Jersey Blind Citizens Association in Monmouth County, volunteering her time and donating the supplies. Claudia served as president of the nonprofit’s governing board.
Claudia taught art classes and served as a peer support facilitator for the New Jersey Commission for the Blind, overseeing four support groups. People “need to learn that life isn’t over because they’ve lost their sight,” Claudia said.
For VLANJ’s virtual Dining in the Dark event during the pandemic last fall, Claudia allowed herself to be video recorded preparing a meal of tomato basil pasta with garlic bread. She showed viewers techniques for safely chopping onion and garlic and accurately measuring ingredients. The segment was supposed to run five minutes, but Claudia was so charming, they gave her 20 minutes, Augusto said.
Claudia supported VLANJ’s mission through generous annual gifts. She also donated items for silent auctions and recruited an entourage to attend VLANJ’s fundraisers. “She was one of the most giving trustees,” Augusto said.
By donating to Claudia’s fund, supporters can help Claudia’s memory live on. To contribute, contact Jennifer Singer, vice president of development and communications, at 973-627-0055, ext. 1323 or jsinger@vlanj.org.
by admin | Aug 26, 2021 | Events, News
THIS EVENT HAS SOLD OUT!
Due to overwhelming participation, we have met our capacity and will no longer be selling tickets to this event. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Please return to the site for information and stay tuned for upcoming events.
THIS EVENT HAS SOLD OUT!
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we have decided to postpone our annual Dining in the Dark event until October 2022. We will, however, be hosting a smaller more intimate event following all social distancing and safety guidelines where we can all be safe and enjoy! Proof of vaccination will not be required. Masks will be required as you enter the building and anytime you are away from your table.
Please join us on October 28, 2021, for A Four Senses Wine and Cheese Pairing. Experience a journey beyond sight!
Enter a world of taste, smell, sound, and touch as you enjoy a unique sensory experience like no other.
**Each table of four guests will receive 1 bottle of red wine, 1 bottle of white wine and a cheese platter.
**Only 60 tickets will be sold!
Please contact Jennifer Singer, VP of Development and Communications at (973) 627- 0055 ext. 1323, jsinger@vlanj.org for more information or to request a non-alcohol option.
We strive to present an enjoyable and safe event so that we may raise critical funds needed to provide services for people with vision loss or blindness. As such, the format of the event may be modified to comply with COVID-19 restrictions or mandates.
by Carly Eden Stokes | Aug 24, 2021 | Blog
Debbie Azzarone via The Blind Vine has written about how as her vision has declined, there are things she doesn’t feel as comfortable cooking and baking as she used to feel.
Read on for some of The Blind Vine‘s tasty recipes (dessert, breakfast, even dinner!) that don’t require flipping, checking for browning, and other steps that those with low vision may want to avoid.
1. Cheesecake Flavored Ambrosia
Dessert ambrosia with fruit on top sits in a bowl.
Ingredients
1 (29-ounce) can Dole fruit cocktail, drained
1 (8-ounce) can pineapple tidbits, drained
1 (11-ounce) can mandarin oranges, drained
1/2 cup maraschino cherries, drained and rinsed
1 (1-ounce) box cheesecake flavor Sugar-Free Jell-O pudding
8 ounces Daisy sour cream
3 cups Cool Whip
1 cup Jet-Puffed miniature marshmallows
Instructions
Drain all fruit. If fruit was packed in syrup, rinse in c old water and drain.
Combine fruit cocktail, pineapple, mandarin oranges and cherries in a large bowl. Sprinkle with cheesecake flavored pudding mix and stir to coat. Add in sour cream and Cool Whip and stir well.
Fold in marshmallows and chill for at least one hour before serving.
2. No-Flip Omelet
A no-flip omelet is featured in a skillet and cut up on plates.
Mix your eggs, and two tablespoons water, a little salt, etc. into a fry pan. Put all of the toppings in the eggs. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes. Top with cheese until it’s melted. Fold the omelet over. Voila! A no-flip omelet.
3. Beer Crockpot Chicken
A close-up view of seasoned crock pot chicken.
You can play around with your seasonings. These are just a suggestion. You can also use fresh chicken or use frozen breasts, and either cook on low all day or cook for five hours on high. Adjust the heat according to your time on hand.
4-6 Chicken Breasts or 1 Whole or cut up Chicken
1 Can of any kind of Beer
1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
1/2 tsp Basil
1/2 tsp Paprika
1/2 tsp Black Pepper
1/2 tsp Kosher Salt
*You can use whatever spices you like
Put all ingredients into crockpot
If frozen cook on high 4-5 hours or low 8-10
If fresh cook on high 3-4 hrs. or low 7-8 hours if fresh
by Carly Eden Stokes | Aug 15, 2021 | Blog, News
For those who are blind or visually impaired, who “may not notice arrows on the floor directing foot traffic that have no texture to be felt,” such [COVID-19] safety measures “present additional obstacles for safely navigating the pandemic-era world.”
Read the full article by Well + Good about being visually impaired during the pandemic – and know that you and/or your loved ones are not alone in finding it difficult to navigate:
CLICK HERE
by Carly Eden Stokes | Jul 22, 2021 | Blog, News
Becca Meyers, a six-time Paralympic medalist who is deaf and blind, will miss the Tokyo Paralympics after being told she could not bring her Personal Care Assistant — her mother, Maria Meyers — to the Summer Games.
She called her decision to quit Team USA “gut-wrenching, and wrote: “So, in 2021, why as a disabled person am I still fighting for my rights?”
An image of Becca Meyers is depicted with the headline: “This deaf-blind Paralympian was told to navigate Tokyo alone. So she quit Team USA. Image/headline via New York Post.”
As Meyers has stated of being deaf and blind, “We must continue to fight and advocate for ourselves so that future generations can have an easier tomorrow.” Accessibility matters, inclusion matters, and disability rights matter. Read more about Becca’s story here.
