BUCKS COUNTY ASSOCIATION FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED

11/12/2025

November Is Diabetic Eye Disease Month.

Per UNC’s School of Medicine, “Approximately one-third of Americans with diabetes (Type 1, Type 2, or gestational) can develop diabetic retinopathy, a progression of the disease caused by high blood sugar levels damaging the back of the eye (retina).”

Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) is the leading cause of blindness for working-age adults. Approximately 9.6 million Americans have DR.

Symptoms of DR include:
Changes in vision
Blurry vision
Vision loss
Eye floaters
Blind spots
Night and/or color blindness

Recommendations To Help Prevent Diabetes-related Eye Disease Include:
Getting an annual eye exam
Keeping blood pressure, cholesterol, & sugar levels in a healthy range
Quit smoking
Eat a healthy diet
Get more exercise

Even if we don’t experience symptoms of Diabetic Retinopathy, it’s important for us to have regular eye examinations to detect and manage DR.

For more information about Diabetic Retinopathy, please visit:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diabetic-retinopathy/symptoms-causes/syc-20371611

Check out the video below on DR. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JxMOsMDM1UM

11/05/2025

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to dine with vision loss?

Every year, as part of our community outreach, BCABVI hosts our free annual Experience Vision Loss event to give our clients’ families and friends a glimpse of what it’s like to dine with vision loss. It’s an evening full of helpful tips, techniques, and demonstrations to make everyday tasks like eating more manageable.

Emily Vasile, Certified Low Vision Therapist, facilitated the event, providing guidance on how to do everything from setting the table with contrasting colors, filling a glass with liquid, finding the place setting, cutting food, and more. Emily, who has too many professional low vision titles than we can feasibly list here, experiences vision loss and knows what it’s like to struggle with daily tasks.

“We thought we knew what my wife was going through with her vision loss, but you showed how strong she has been in her fight for a normal life. Thanks again.” - Jim, Husband of Nancy, Client

While guests donned disposable glasses simulating their loved one’s eye conditions, our Delta Gamma volunteers helped them use the liquid line indicator to pour their drinks into a cup, and Dr. Erin Kramer demonstrated magnifiers that help read menus.

“My wife and I were witnesses to the hope, commitment, and camaraderie shared by all in attendance at this special event.” Rande Whitham, BCABVI Board President

50 people attended last Wednesday’s Experience Vision Loss event. We would like to thank our clients and their guests, our staff, volunteers, Board members, and our sponsor, The First Bank & Trust Company of Newtown, for helping to make this event a success.

If you would like to learn more about the Experience Vision Loss event, please contact Kim Burton, BCABVI’s Communications Coordinator. For products to help with daily tasks such as those mentioned above, contact us at 215.968.9400.

Check out the video below!
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/KvJTF6g_35s

11/04/2025

We had a lot of fun last week at our Halloween-themed bingo and pizza day. Clients and staff dressed in costumes, and our staff really upped their game with our annual pumpkin decorating contest. We're sure you'll agree that the decorated pumpkins look professional!

10/22/2025

As we celebrate our 80th year, it’s rewarding to be recognized for our service and accomplishments. Recently, we received a citation from Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro.

“It is my pleasure to recognize the Bucks County Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired on its 80th Anniversary…It is with great understanding, leadership, and passion that this organization continues to make a positive impact on our Commonwealth. I am confident that this milestone, recognizing the laudable work of this organization, will inspire others for many years to come.” - Governor Josh Shaprio, October 10th, 2025.

We thank Governor Shapiro for this meaningful recognition.

80 years represents our enduring commitment and longevity as an organization. As you’ll see from our upcoming Impact Report, our organization has expanded and evolved over the years. Despite changing times, our guiding principles have remained unchanged: to serve, support, and raise awareness for our blind and visually impaired community in Bucks County, PA.

To learn more about our services and programs, please call us at 215.968.9400 or visit us at www.bucksblind.org.

10/07/2025

For our last in-person event, our donors, Mike & Karen, donated some plants they cultivated to help brighten our clients' day.

Their plant donation was very much appreciated! Thanks Mike & Karen!

10/01/2025

We had a fantastic time yesterday with our clients at our first-ever Talent Show! Our clients braved any jitters they may have had in front of a supportive audience to share their talents, ranging from poem reading, singing, storytelling, playing piano, and art!

One particular moving moment during our in-person event was when our client Mark shared with us a poem he wrote about experiencing vision loss:

Looking Up At A Half Fan And Chain by Mark H.

As I awake, I keep my eyes closed.
Turn on my back and maybe in vain.
I want my life back! I’ll be composed.
Looking up at a half fan and chain.

Visualize the parts in the ceiling.
Blades, chain, and light not fancy but plain.
Almost ready, anxiety’s reeling.
Looking up at a half fan and chain.

I want to unchain my independence.
Fan my passion and light up my brain.
I’ll blaze into a new confidence.
Looking up at a half fan and chain.

So now I have to open my eyes.
Left side good, right side is like a stain.
I shouldn’t ask, many hows and whys.
Looking up at a half fan and chain.

It doesn’t matter, given a new day.
I rise up and live my life again!
Live to the full and not halfway.
Looking up at a half fan and chain.

I have aphasia, visually impaired.
Disabled but I’m not a half man.
Resilient in adversity not scared.
Looking to the right, see the full fan!

The time with our clients ended with our rousing chorus of We Are Family.
Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsCeI3dGaL0

Thanks to Marcie our Caseworker, who coordinated the event along with our other staff members who helped make this possible.

09/24/2025

Celebrating Richie & National Guide Dog Month!

Having a guide dog is a life-changing experience for people experiencing vision loss. Just ask Debra, one of BCABVI’s clients. Debra’s life was transformed in 2018 when her guide dog, Richie, came into her life. Here’s part of Debra’s story with Richie.

“I feel very lucky, proud, and blessed to have Richie in my life for over seven years. Having him by my side means a lot of things to me. I’m more independent than I was. He’s been my companion, guiding me, and standing by me. We’ve been through a lot together, and I deeply love him.

“Richie has opened a whole new world for me. He gives me independence, security, and companionship. I put a lot of trust in him.

“I enjoy staying active and taking walks. Richie is a great navigator, guiding me around obstacles when I’m walking. Wherever we go, he keeps me out of harm’s way.

“He goes everywhere with me - in cars, on buses, trains, and airplanes. He knows where to lead me, whether locating places in the mall or finding my gate at Philadelphia International Airport.

“With Richie by my side, I am not only independent, but I also have my best friend with me wherever I go.” - Debra, BCABVI Client & Her Guide Dog Richie

For more information about guide dogs, please visit:
The Seeing Eye: https://seeingeye.org
Guide Dogs For The Blind: https://www.guidedogs.com
Guide Dog Foundation: https://www.guidedog.org

For another amazing story about a guide dog, check out Thunder Dog: The True Story of A Blind Man, His Guide Dog, and the Triumph of Trust by Michael Hingson.

Photos courtesy of Debra.

09/17/2025

Since our founding in 1945, BCABVI has provided practical solutions to help our clients tackle daily challenges. Whether it’s tips, techniques, aids & devices, or rehabilitation training, we offer hope and skills for our clients to navigate their surroundings and daily tasks.

Next month, we will host our Annual Experience Vision Loss Event on Wednesday, October 22nd. This in-house event is led by BCABVI’s Certified Low Vision Therapist, Emily Vasile. Clients, their families, and friends will gather together at our Newtown facility to get a glimpse of what it’s like to dine with vision loss. During the pasta dinner, Emily and several colleagues will share tips, techniques, and strategies as well as demonstrate some assistive devices to help make dining easier.

Since 1945, when soldiers came home from WWII with vision impairment, pasta and salad were on our menu to teach techniques, tips, and strategies for eating, such as cutting food using a knife and fork, spreading butter on bread, and pouring liquid into a cup. We are happy to keep this tradition alive with our Experience Vision Loss Event.

We invite our clients, along with their guests, to join us for an evening of tips, techniques, good food, and camaraderie. Please RSVP to Kim Burton by October 17th at 215.968.9400 or kburton@bucksblind.org.

To learn more about the event, please see the flyer.

09/16/2025