Western Blind Rehabilitation Center: Palo Alto

Showing posts with label Palo Alto. Show all posts

April 6, 2016

PAD Farmer's Market Open for Season

Image: VA Palo Alto Farmers Market Poster

Spring is upon us and the Farmer's Markets are in full swing throughout the area. The VA Palo Alto Health Care System is continuing their annual Farmer's Market for the 8th year at the Palo Alto campus. The Farmer's Market resumes for 2016 today at the campus located at 3801 Miranda Ave in Palo Alto, CA and is located near the front entrance of the main hospital building. The market will occur every Wednesday through November 9th, 2016.

Photo: A VA Staff Member makes a purchase at a market stand

You can enjoy the fruits and vegetables of the season locally grown by visiting a Farmer's Market near you.

How do I find a Farmer's Market near me?
Farmer's Markets are listed in the newspaper. You can also look them up online by typing your city and 'Farmer's Market' in the search bar.

Tips once you get to the Farmer's Market:

Budget by using cash: Food can be expensive. Bring only cash, this will keep you on budget and lets you see how far you can stretch your dollar. Be sure to bring small bills.
Walk the Market before you buy: Walk all the way around the Market first, get in your extra steps and check all the prices so you get the best deal.
Know your food: Farmer's Markets allow you to know your food grower. You can ask questions and learn how they would eat the food they grow. If you are unfamiliar with a type of fruit or vegetable, your can as how to tell if they are ripe, or for a recommendation of how to prepare it.
Seasonal buying: Farmer's Markets grow your food locally, so you know you are eating what is in season when you shop.
Use your devices: If you have a long cane, support cane, 4 wheeled walker, power mobility device, sunglasses, hat, money reader, and/or visual aide such as a magnifier - bring them and use them properly!
Ask for assistance: If you have a hard time seeing produce or reaching items, ask for help! The growers at each stand will likely be more than happy to help you read prices and assist with selecting produce. If you let them know you have vision loss, you may be surprised at how helpful they could be.

January 5, 2016

January Construction Update

Photo: Front of B500 as of January 2016

WBRC continues to watch the construction progress of B-500, the highly anticipated new home of the Polytruama and Blind Rehabilitation services on the Palo Alto VAPAHCS Campus. Some of the building's features will include private bedrooms and bathrooms for inpatients, 3 large shared courtyards, a ‘green’ living roof, a greenhouse, and solar panels on the roof.

Photo: The front entry to the glass atrium of B500

At 174,000 square feet, this new facility is the largest consolidated rehabilitation center in the VA and will include 24 beds for the polytruama program, 32 beds for the blind rehabilitation program, and 12 beds for the polytruama transitional rehabilitation program. Currently construction crews are nearing completion of both the interior and exterior of the building.

Photo: The main courtyard of B500 as seen in the early evening with night lighting

The center will also have an outpatient physical therapy/occupational therapy clinic, an outpatient physical medicine and rehabilitation clinic, and clinical programs for Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom Veterans. Construction is anticipated to be 100% complete shortly, with the building becoming operational in the Spring or Summer of 2016.

CLICK HERE to view additional construction pictures

CLICK HERE for construction updates

CLICK HERE to read the project's news release

October 9, 2015

You’re Invited! 11th Annual White Cane Day Awareness Walk

Photo: WBRC O&M Department staff & interns pose with white canes

Join us for the Western Blind Rehabilitation Center’s 11th Annual White Cane Day Awareness Walk:

Thursday, October 15th, 2015 at 10:30 am

White Cane Safety Day is a national observance, celebrated on October 15th since 1964.

The WBRC will host its annual White Cane Awareness Walk on White Cane Safety Day, Thursday October 15th. Please join us in our effort to increase awareness in surrounding communities and promote safety and independence for persons with Visual Impairment by participating in a walk around the downtown Palo Alto area. Please note the attached walking route for your reference.

We will meet in front of Palo Alto City Hall and begin the walk at 10:30am.

Palo Alto City Hall:
250 Hamilton Avenue
Palo Alto, CA 94301

Walking Route:
1) Start at Palo Alto City Hall
2) Travel ‘NE’ on Hamilton towards Waverly Street
3) Turn Left on Waverly Street
4) Travel ‘NW’ on Waverly towards University Ave
5) Turn Left on University Ave
6) Travel ‘SW’ on University Ave to Emerson Street
(Participants who need a shorter route can turn left on Bryant Street to return to City Hall)
7) Turn Left on Emerson Street
8) Travel to Hamilton Ave
9) Turn Left on Hamilton Ave and return to City Hall

This year, in order for the City of Palo Alto to accommodate our group, we ask that each individual fill out a waiver in order to participate. Please RSVP for yourself and the number of people in your group by emailing elizabeth.alcorn@va.gov by Tuesday, October 13th if you plan to attend and a waiver will be e-mailed to you or provided in print at the event.

For questions, please contact Summer Beasley-Hoffman:
(650)493-5000, 1, 2, 24611
summer.beasley@va.gov