September 30, 2014

WBRC Welcomes New Nurse Manager

WBRC is proud to announce that Roschild Grullon has accepted the position of WBRC Nurse Manager.  Ms. Grullon started in September of 2014.  She is a registered nurse with a Master's Degree in Public Health Administration from New York University.  She previously worked at New York Presbyterian/Colombia University Medical Center and has practiced in cardiology, OB and behavioral health.  Welcome to the WBRC Team Roschild!

September 26, 2014

WBRC Research Psychologist Retiring after 40 Years

Photo: Dr. Goodrich working with the NVT Light Panel

WBRC would like to congradulate Dr. Greggory Goodrich on his upcoming retirement.  Dr. Goodrich has worked at the Western Blind Rehabilitation Center at the VA Palo Alto Health Care system for over 40 years.  Dr. Goodrich received his PhD in Experimental Psychology in 1974 from Washington State University. He has been an active member of the Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired serving as its president, and past president. He also has served as a member of the research advisory committee of Lighthouse International and a member of the national program advisory committee of the American Foundation for the Blind.

His dedication and commitment to ensuring service delivery excellence by conducting studies which support clinical rehabilitation programs never wavered during his tenure. Dr. Goodrich’s numerous publications chronicle his interests in low vision, technology, and mobility, as well as outcome assessments.  Dr. Gregory Goodrich was the recipient of the 2009 Olin E. Teague Award, a national award that recognizes contributions in an area of utmost importance to VA’s mission: the rehabilitation and improvement in the quality of life of war-injured Veterans. He received the award in conjunction with Dr. Glenn Cockerham, for their ground-breaking efforts in the care of Veterans injured in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

In 2011 Dr. Goodrich received the 'Tiresias' award from the International Society for Low Vision Research and Rehabilitation (ISLRR). The award was presented in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, during the 10th International Low Vision Conference. The award, the first time it was given, recognized Dr. Goodrich’s major role in the development of the field of rehabilitation and research on visual impairment.  The award is named after the mythical character Tiresias, who was blinded by Hera. To compensate him for his loss of vision, Zeus gave him the gift of prophecy. Tiresias is mentioned in the Odyssey, when Odysseus was sent to the underworld to consult him. All in all, an interesting bit of mythology is attributed to Dr. Goodrich.

Dr. Goodrich will be retiring the first week in October.  We at the WBRC wish him all the best in his well earned retirment!

September 25, 2014

UPDATE: Save the Date for WBRC's 10th Annual White Cane Awareness Walk!

Photo: The WBRC Mobility Department and Interns pose with white canes.

Please save the date for the
2014 White Cane Awareness Walk
Wednesday October 15, 2014
Downtown Palo Alto
Palo Alto City Hall
250 Hamilton Ave
Palo Alto, CA
 
October is White Cane Awareness Month. WBRC is celebrating White Cane Awareness by hosting a Walk in Palo Alto, CA on Wednesday October 15th, 2014. Participating agencies include WBRC, VAPAHCS, BVA, VISTA Center, Bookshare, and the Lions Club.

On October 6, 1964, a joint resolution of the Congress was signed into law authorizing the President of the United States to proclaim October 15 of each year as "White Cane Safety Day". Within hours of the passage, then-President Lyndon B. Johnson publicly recognized the importance of the white cane as a symbol of independence for individuals who are blind. Today there is a variant of the White Cane Law on the statute books of every state in the nation and White Cane Safety Day is nationally recognized with marches and celebrations.

Please feel free to come join us on October 15th and participate in the walk to spread awareness of the White Cane Law.

All are welcome --- white cane users, yellow cane users, sighted guides, power mobility users, 4WW users, dog guide users, blindfolded sighted folks {with cane skills or a human guide} ---on an approximate half mile walk around downtown Palo Alto.

Schedule

9:30 AM          Assemble at Palo Alto City Hall, Meet & Greet,
                       Informational Booths
10 AM             Walk from City Hall Palo Alto
10:30 AM        Re-assemble at Palo Alto City Hall, Mix &
                       Mingle, Informational Booths
11:15 AM        Photo & Proclamation at Palo Alto City Hall
Image: White Cane Awareness Walk Route (Click on Image to Enlarge)

2014 White Cane Awareness Walk 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

a.      Participants that 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

CLICK HERE to read about WBRC's 2013 White Cane Awareness Walk

CLICK HERE to learn more about the White Cane Law

Please e-mail Elise.Vaughan@va.gov for more information.


September 3, 2014

Save the Date for WBRC's 10th Annual White Cane Awareness Walk!

Photo: The WBRC Mobility Department and Interns pose with white canes.

Please save the date for the
2014 White Cane Awareness Walk
Wednesday October 15, 2014
 
Downtown Palo Alto
Palo Alto City Hall
250 Hamilton Ave
Palo Alto, CA
 
October is White Cane Awareness Month. WBRC is celebrating White Cane Awareness by hosting a Walk in Palo Alto, CA on Wednesday October 15th, 2014. Participating agencies include WBRC, BVA, VISTA Center, Bookshare, and the Lions Club. 

On October 6, 1964, a joint resolution of the Congress was signed into law authorizing the President of the United States to proclaim October 15 of each year as "White Cane Safety Day". Within hours of the passage, then-President Lyndon B. Johnson publicly recognized the importance of the white cane as a symbol of independence for individuals who are blind. Today there is a variant of the White Cane Law on the statute books of every state in the nation and White Cane Safety Day is nationally recognized with marches and celebrations.

Please feel free to come join us on October 15th and participate in the walk to spread awareness of the White Cane Law.

All are welcome --- white cane users, yellow cane users, sighted guides, power mobility users, 4WW users, dog guide users, blindfolded sighted folks {with cane skills or a human guide} ---on an approximate half mile walk around downtown Palo Alto.

Please check back here or e-mail summer.beasley@va.gov for further event details.

CLICK HERE to read about WBRC's 2013 White Cane Awareness Walk

CLICK HERE to learn more about the White Cane Law