Mission Moment: Low Vision Clinic Helps Regain Independence

Mission Moment: Low Vision Clinic Helps Regain Independence

Margaret was having difficulty reading, dialing phone numbers and navigating her home safely. In addition, she was unable to see her kitchen appliance settings and could not determine when to stop pouring liquids or identify food on her plate. Margaret came to Alphapointe’s Low Vision Clinic with a can-do attitude and was open to making…

Image of Pat using a PenFriend labeling system

Mission Moment: Overcoming Challenges with Optic Neuropathy

Pat is a senior living with a recent diagnosis of optic neuropathy, a condition which damages the optic nerve affecting all aspects of vision. Pat came to Alphapointe’s Low Vision Clinic where she was referred to an occupational therapist to assess her needs. She received follow-up in her home to improve her independence with desired…

Image of Alphapointe team member Omar Rodriquez Taveras

Mission Moment: Dominican Native Has Big Plans for the Future After Securing Position at Alphapointe

Meet Dominican Republic native Omar Rodriquez Taveras. Taveras was poked in his left eye when he was seven years old. Following several surgeries, both his left eye and right eye became severely infected. By the age of 12, he was completely blind. Undeterred, Taveras attended a special school for youth with low vision in the…

Image of Erik Ramos

Mission Moment: Securing Dream Position Through Alphapointe Job Placement Services

By Mark D’Altorio The unemployment rate for people with vision loss is 70 percent and Alphapointe aims to address the situation by offering career counseling, job search assistance, resume/cover letter writing and skills for networking, job interviewing and position placement. Erik Ramos was an Alphapointe employee for more than 10 years and held a variety…

Carla working on a sewing machine

Mission Moment: Macular Degeneration Can’t Stop Carla

Carla Rhines is a senior living with age-related macular degeneration, a condition affecting the central part of the retina (the macula) and resulting in distortion or loss of central vision. Carla was referred to Alphapointe’s Low Vision Clinic where she received an evaluation by the low vision optometrist and occupational therapist. She then received follow…

Image of Bessie Kelly using a handheld magnifying device

Mission Moment: Regaining Independence Despite Diabetic Macular Edema

Bessie Kelly is a 65-year-old woman living with diabetic macular edema. Needing assistance, she was referred to Alphapointe to receive Occupational Therapy services. Alphapointe started with an in-home evaluation and has continued with follow up training visits to help Bessie increase her independence with daily activities. Initially, Bessie’s main challenges included difficulty reading small print,…

Image of Alphapointe volunteer Terri Wright standing on a small wooden bridge in a forest

Volunteer Spotlight: Terri Wright

As part of the ongoing Volunteer Spotlight series, we checked in with volunteer Terri Wright on why she chooses to donate her time and energy to Alphapointe. Q&A with Terri  Tell us about you… I grew up in Independence, Missouri and attended pre-school at Children’s Center for the Visually Impaired in Kansas City. I received…