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ORLANDO, Fla. \u2014 A program offered by the Orlando VA Healthcare System is helping veterans experiencing blindness or significant vision loss maintain their independence.<\/p>\n
Air Force veteran Dwight D. Sayer has lost more than 90% of his vision. Today, he uses technology that reads his mail aloud, helps him operate electronic devices and allows him to navigate the Orlando VA Medical Center independently.<\/p>\n
Sayer credits the healthcare system\u2019s Blind Rehabilitation Program with giving him the skills and confidence to adapt.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe blind rehab program saved my life,\u201d Sayer said. \u201cThere\u2019s always a way. It may not be the way you wanted, but there\u2019s always a way.\u201d<\/p>\n
The program connects veterans with Vision Impairment Services Team coordinators and Blind Rehabilitation Outpatient Specialists. Services are customized for each veteran and may include training inside the veteran\u2019s home.<\/p>\n
Specialists can teach veterans how to safely prepare meals, navigate with a cane, read medication labels, use smartphones and computers, return to hobbies or walk through their neighborhoods.<\/p>\n
Gregory Manuel, a VIST coordinator who has worked in blind rehabilitation since 2008, said the program is about more than providing adaptive equipment.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re there to help folks adapt to living with blindness and vision loss,\u201d Manuel said.<\/p>\n
Unlike rehabilitation programs that end after a set number of visits, the VA\u2019s blind rehabilitation services continue throughout a veteran\u2019s care. Specialists can adjust the training and resources as a veteran\u2019s vision, living situation and personal goals change.<\/p>\n
Dr. Ashley Brevil, supervisory social worker for the Orlando VA blind rehabilitation team, said the program can help veterans regain a level of independence they may have believed was permanently lost.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis doesn\u2019t have to be the end of your story,\u201d Brevil said. \u201cThis is just one chapter.\u201d<\/p>\n
Since entering the program, Sayer has traveled independently around the country and advocated for other blind veterans. He encourages anyone experiencing vision problems to learn what services may be available.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnybody that\u2019s got a visual impairment of any kind can\u2019t afford to miss this program,\u201d Sayer said.<\/p>\n
Veterans experiencing blindness, low vision or vision loss that makes everyday activities more difficult can request a referral through their VA primary care provider, eye care provider, social worker or another member of their care team.<\/p>\n
The blind rehabilitation team will determine eligibility and connect veterans with the appropriate training, services and resources.<\/p>\n
More information is available through the Orlando VA Healthcare System<\/a>.<\/p>\n Click here<\/a> to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here<\/a> to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.<\/p>\n