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Life transitions require deep resilience, especially when navigating them on your own.

In this episode Blind Vet: Now what? Hosts Ashley Boyer MA, CVRT and Rebecca Foley, MS, CVRT, COMS sit down with Air Force Veteran and former Augusta Blind Rehab Instructor Rich Skuse to discuss his personal experiences with retirement, living alone, and completing an inpatient Blind Rehab program.

Rich opens up about the realities of stepping away from the workforce and adjusting to a solo routine while managing vision loss. He shares the challenges and triumphs of his time in inpatient rehabilitation, the skills he gained to maintain his autonomy, and the profound experience of returning home to live independently.

Rich’s candid story offers powerful insights and inspiration for anyone adapting to vision changes or learning to thrive on their own terms.

The target audience: Veterans who have low vision/legal blindness/no remaining vision and their support systems. 

The impact of vision loss is felt by the individual and their support system. It is a big life change and can feel quite overwhelming at times. Our goal is to provide education and support as they navigate this new way of life.

The information discussed in the podcast is helpful for anyone wanting to learn more about Blind Rehab within VHA.

#NowWhat #augustaVAhealthcaresystem #BRC

Part 2 of Emergency Planning for Natural Disasters:

Join hosts Ashley Boyer MA, CVRT and Lindsay Turner, OTR, CLVT in this episode of Blind Vet Now What they discuss essential disaster preparedness strategies, focusing on food safety, medical equipment needs, fire safety, and cold weather preparedness. They emphasize the importance of hygiene, having backup plans for medical needs, and being aware of potential hazards like landslides and sinkholes. The conversation provides practical tips for ensuring safety and well-being during various emergency situations.

Takeaways

• Hygiene is crucial during disasters, especially handwashing.
• Always have clean water for washing hands and cooking.
• Food safety is paramount; "when in doubt, throw it out."
• Backup medical equipment is essential for those with health conditions.
• Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are vital for fire safety.
• Know two ways out of every room in case of fire.
• Prepare for cold weather with extra blankets and layers.
• Be aware of potential hazards like landslides and sinkholes.
• Mark assistive devices clearly to avoid being separated from them during evacuations.
• Stay informed and prepared for various types of emergencies.

Who Should listen?

-Veterans with low vision, legal blindness and their support systems

-Anyone interested in learning more about Blind Rehab within the Veteran's Health Administration (VHA)

Get Involved!

Like, subscribe, and rate this episode to stay updated on new releases and show your support!

#NowWhat#AugustaVAHealthcareSystem #BRC #hurricaneseason #beprepared

#blindness  #lowvision #Veterans #supportsystems #planforyourpets

keywords: disaster preparedness, food safety, medical equipment, fire safety, cold weather, emergency tips

Be Prepared: Emergency Planning for Natural Disasters: Join hosts Ashley Boyer MA, CVRT and Rebecca Foley, MS, CVRT, COMS on "Blind Vet: Now What?" as they discuss the importance of emergency preparedness for hurricane season. Imagine being without water, food, electricity, transportation, and phone access after a disaster - what would you do? Learn how to create a natural disaster plan and kit to sustain you and your loved ones for at least 3-7 days.

Key Takeaways

-Understand the importance of having a disaster plan in place before it strikes

-Learn how to build an emergency kit with essentials like water, food and first aid supplies

-Discover strategies for navigating disaster s with low vision and blindness

Who Should listen?

-Veterans with low vision, legal blindness and their support systems

-Anyone interested in learning more about Blind Rehab within the Veteran's Health Administration (VHA)

Get Involved!

Like, subscribe, and rate this episode to stay updated on new releases and show your support!

#NowWhat#AugustaVAHealthcareSystem #BRC #hurricaneseason #beprepared

#blindness  #lowvision #Veterans #supportsystems #planforyourpets

You've gotten some cool new devices and technology from VA Blind Rehab Services...only now it seems like everything is talking. What do you do? Listen to this episode of Blind Vet: Now What? of course!

In this episode Blind Vet: Now what? Hosts Ashley Boyer MA, CVRT and Rebecca Foley, MS, CVRT, COMS explain and discuss the difference between talking devices commonly used in Blind Rehab. It can often feel a bit overwhelming to Veterans and their support systems to have various devices talking to them. In this episode we hope to explain the following:

-What is a screen reader?

-What is a smart assistant?

-What is dictation?

-Highlight a few other commonly utilized devices that also talk.

Target Audience: Veterans with low vision, legal blindness, or no remaining vision, and their support systems.

Goal: To provide education, support, and guidance as individuals navigate vision loss and adapt to a new way of life.

Relevance: While focused on Veterans, this episode offers valuable insights for anyone interested in learning more about Blind Rehab within the Veterans HealthAdministration (VHA).

Call to Action: Like, subscribe, and rate this episode to stay updated on new releases and show your support!

#NowWhat#AugustaVAHealthcareSystem #BRC

#VoiceOver

#JAWS

#DolphinGuideConnect

#Narrator

#Talkback

#VoiceView

Dining with Confidence: Adaptive Eating

In this insightful episode of "Blind

Key Takeaways:

-Safe Methods for finding your place setting

-Adaptive techniques for eating salad and pasta

-Essential safety tips, including why reaching above table tops should be avoided and why you ALWAYS need to identify the cutting edge of a knife before using it.

-Strategies for navigating family-style dining situations

Target Audience: Veterans with low vision, legal blindness, or no remaining vision, and their support systems.

Goal:

Relevance:

Call to Action: Like, subscribe, and rate this episode to stay updated

#NowWhat #AugustaVAHealthcareSystem #BRC #eatingskills

In this episode Blind Vet: Now what? Hosts Ashley Boyer MA, CVRT and Rebecca Foley, MS, CVRT, COMS delve into the next steps for Veterans who have been accepted into a Blind Rehab Center's training program. Tune in to learn about:

-What is a White Cane?

-What types of White Canes are

-What is White Cane Day and when is it?

-What is a White Cane Law?

-How is White Cane Day typically celebrated?

-What is the VA Augusta Health Care

-How to approach/talk to someone who

-Debunking the idea of ‘Super Senses’

-When to provide someone with a visual impairment assistance.

Target Audience: Veterans with low vision, legal blindness, or no

Goal: To provide education, support, and guidance as

Relevance: While focused on Veterans, this episode offers valuable

Call to Action: Like, subscribe, and rate this episode to stay updated

#NowWhat #AugustaVAHealthcareSystem #BRC

In this episode Blind Vet: Now what? Hosts Ashley Boyer MA, CVRT and Rebecca Foley, MS, CVRT, COMS delve into the next steps for Veterans who have been accepted into a Blind Rehab Center's training program. Tune in to learn about:

-Admissions packets and what to expect

-Essential items to pack for your stay

-Medication Management

-Types of training environments at BRC's

Target Audience: Veterans with low vision, legal blindness, or no remaining vision, and

Goal: To provide education, support, and guidance as individuals navigate vision loss and adapt to a new way of life.

Relevance: While focused on Veterans, this episode offers valuable insights for anyone interested in learning more about Blind Rehab within the Veterans Health

Call to Action: Like, subscribe, and rate this episode to stay updated on new releases and show your support!

In this episode Blind Vet: Now what? Hosts Ashley Boyer MA, CVRT and Rebecca Foley, MS, CVRT, COMS interview Wesley “Wes”  Hodgson, MA, COMS and is

In this episode we explore what a Visual Impairment Services Team (VIST) Coordinator is and what a Veteran can expect from initial interactions with a VIST coordinator. Wesley breaks down what an Annual VIST review/exam is, including benefits review screening, and treatment planning. Wesley goes on to explain why Veteran’s participating in appointments with a VIST coordinator are vital to ensuring that they receive the care

Don't forget to like and subscribe to the show, so that you can be alerted to when new episodes are published! If you enjoy this episode please give it a rating.

The target audience: Veterans who have low vision/legal blindness/no remaining vision and their support systems.  The impact of vision loss is felt by the individual and their support system. It is a big life change and can feel quite overwhelming at times. Our goal is to provide education and support as they navigate this new way of life.

However the information discussed in the podcast is helpful for anyone wanting to learn more about Blind Rehab within VHA.

#NowWhat #augustaVAhealthcaresystem #BRC

Don't forget to like and subscribe to the show, so that you can be alerted to when new episodes are published! If you enjoy this episode please give it a rating.

In this episode Blind Vet: Now what? Hosts Ashley Boyer MA, CVRT and Rebecca Foley, MS, CVRT, COMS interview Veteran Rich Skuse, MS, CATIS, CVRT who is also an instructor at the Augusta VA Blind Rehab Center.

The target audience: Veterans who have low vision/legal blindness/no remaining vision and their support systems.  The impact of vision loss is felt by the individual and their support system. It is a big life change and can feel quite overwhelming at times. Our goal is to provide education and support as they navigate this new

However the information discussed in the podcast is helpful for anyone wanting to learn more about Blind Rehab within VHA.

#NowWhat #augustaVAhealthcaresystem #BRC

Don't forget to like and subscribe to the show, so that you can be alerted to when new episodes are published! If you enjoy this episode please give it a rating.

In this episode Blind Vet: Now what? Host Ashley Boyer MA, CVRT interviews Whole Health Coach Percival Galloway on the basics of Whole Health within the VA.

Whole Health is VA's approach to care that supports your health and well-being. Whole Health centers around what matters to you, not what is the matter with you.

The target audience: Veterans who have low vision/legal blindness/no remaining vision and their support systems.  The impact of vision loss is felt by the individual and their support system. It is a big life change and can feel quite overwhelming at times. Our goal is to provide education and support as they navigate this new

However the information discussed in the podcast is helpful for anyone wanting to learn more about Blind Rehab within VHA.

#NowWhat