WBRC FY15 Annual Review Mails Out

Photo: Nearly 200 FY 15 WBRC Reviews ready to mail

The Western Blind Rehabilitation Center is proudly mailing out the Annual 'Review' Newsletter for Fiscal Year 2015 to WBRC Alum who attended between October 1, 2014 to present.  The WBRC Review is published annually for stakeholders including former and current students, prospective students, family and caregivers, VA staff and volunteers, and anyone interested in learning about low vision and blind rehabilitation services available to Veterans and Active Duty Service Members through the VA Palo Alto Health Care System.  

If you are an Alumni who did not attend the WBRC from October 1, 2014 to present -OR- another stakeholder and would like a print copy mailed to you, please send an e-mail with your mailing address to summer.beasley@va.gov.

A PDF and a Text Only version of the FY15 WBRC Review is also available via these links:

PDF Version
Text Only Version

WBRC Hosts Open House

The Western Blind Rehabilitation Center (WBRC) recently hosted an Open House Event for local Alumni, invited VAPAHCS Employees, and VA Blind Rehabilitation Staff in Northern California.  The event included 60-minute group tours of the new center which incorporated education about each skill area, prosthetics, and specialty programs.  The event also included light refreshments and a slideshow of WBRC through the years.  

Photos of the WBRC Open House, details follow below.

 

WBRC Open House photographs clockwise from top left: John Kingston educates a group on the CNVR  program and demonstrates use of the Neuro Vision Technology light system; Rosalyn Conanan orients VA staff using a tactile map of the new building; Kristen Collins educates a group on adaptive medical equipment; Cory Tschogl (right) and Daniel Penrod (left) demonstrate visual aids and provide written materials to their tour. 

WBRC Alumnus Featured in Idaho Press - Tribune News Article

Photograph: James Nealey, WBRC Alumnus, sits behind a desk
 in a classroom at the College of Western Idaho. 
Photograph taken by Adam Eschbach/IPT for the Idaho Press - Tribune

James Nealey, WBRC Alumnus, was recently profiled by the Idaho Press - Tribune as part of a story detailing the transition of veterans with disabilities into school at the College of Western Idaho.  The story details a new program at the school called the Wyakin Warriors program. 

An excerpt of the article follows below:

'James Nealey, a 28-year-old Army veteran from Nampa who began losing his sight after returning from Iraq, was one of the first five veterans inducted into the Wyakin Warriors program August 2011...

The Wyakin Warrior Foundation, a non-profit organization started by Boiseans Jeff and Rebecca Bacon, provides wounded veterans with a full four-year scholarship — including room, board and tuition — along with job training, mentoring, and life-time membership in the organization. The first group of five veterans was inducted into the program last August. Five more will be inducted in June...

Roy Ledesma, program director for the Wyakin Warriors Foundation, explained that veterans face more challenges that traditional college students...

Tom Byrns, a former Army Major who served as a tank company commander in Iraq, directs the scholarships and education program for the Wyakin Warriors Foundation. Byrns has personally suffered post-traumatic stress disorder and severe depression from his battle experiences — and he understands the needs of the student veterans.

“We all have our personal demons. It’s important to identify those things that trigger potential issues,” he said.

Byrns noted that while veterans face challenges, they also have a lot to offer. They tend to be  disciplined and hardworking, and unlike traditional students, they have experience outside of the academic environment.

“They bring diversity, they bring life experience, and they bring a perspective on what’s important and what’s not important,” he said.'

CLICK HERE to read the complete Idaho Press - Tribune Article

CLICK HERE to learn more about the Wyakin Warrior Foundation

Guest Post: Reflections on the 66th BVA Convention in Las Vegas

Image: BVA Logo

The 66th National BVA convention was held August 16th - 20th in Las Vegas, Nevada. Most people fly to Las Vegas, but Dale [my Husband] and I took Amtrak to Las Vegas!  It was a very interesting trip, leaving early in the morning, and arriving late Tuesday night.  Most of the trip was by train, but over five hours was on the bus which was extremely exhausting.  However, it was an adventure, and if you are wondering, yes, we flew back home. 

The convention was held at the Golden Nugget in downtown Las Vegas which has been totally renovated with restaurants and shops.  Some of the cool new features of the Golden Nugget are the aquariums and the slide through the shark tank!  For those of you who are not familiar with Las Vegas, down town is the Old Fremont Street which is now covered and is a huge light show at night.

The convention kicked off with opening remarks by Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki and other dignitaries from the state of Nevada.  The Secretary commented on the progress that has been made throughout his administration during the past two and ½ years including service claims, benefits, homeless veterans, and the role of women veterans.  He was very charismatic and enthusiastic as he spoke with bold straight forward remarks, and I was very proud to be a woman veteran of the United States Navy. After all of the fabulous speakers, the National BVA president, Dr. Roy Kekahuna called roll for all of the delegates representing each state and region and the convention was in full swing.

There were many sessions, research information, and vendors to keep each one of us very busy.  I attended the Father Carroll luncheon and Dr. Greg Goodrich was the key note speaker.  Gayle Watson also gave a very interesting and informative session about the role of the VA Blind Rehabilitation Centers, which was received with great enthusiasm.

One of the many highlights for me was meeting new veterans, reconnecting with many WBRC Alumni, and visiting the Hospitality suite. The Northern California BVA chapter was well represented by President Felipe Flores and other board members.  It was a great convention and very worthwhile to attend.  Next year the BVA convention will be held in Galveston, Texas.  If you would like more information about the National convention please visit the following web site: BVA.org


CLICK HERE for a LINK to Secretary of Veteran’s Affairs Eric K. Shinseki’s BVA Convention Opening Remarks


CLICK HERE for a LINK to BVA.org

Guest Post By: Anita Stone, VRT
WBRC Living Skills Instructor
BVA Life Time Member, Northern California Chapter