A Look Back on 2012

Image: 2013 written in multi-colored sparklers on a black background [via]

WBRC would like to wish everyone a very happy and healthy 2013.

There were several big events for WBRC in 2012 including settling into our temporary home in Menlo Park, the demolition of our old building, and the beginning construction of our permanent home in Palo Alto.   As we prepare for 2013, lets take a look back at 2012.

The following are links to some of our favorite WBRC Blog posts from 2012:

Photo: Niki Sandlan, Service Chief for Blind Rehabilitation Services, and John Kingston, CNVR Supervisor, standing in front of the NVT Light Panel with Mr. Kingston's framed certification as an 'NVT Trainer'.  This is the first NVT Trainer certification obtained by a clinician in the United States.  Photograph by Brian Higgins.

WBRC Staff First Clinician in the U.S. Qualified as an 'NVT Trainer'

Photos of the WBRC Open House

WBRC Hosts Open House 

Picture: The front entrance of building 48 after demolition begins.

Building 48 Demolition Begins 

John Kingston, WBRC CNVR Coordinator, presents on the CNVR Program.

WBRC Hosts Northern California Regional Meeting 

Visually impaired veterans and volunteers wait to cross the street on Forest Avenue in Palo Alto during a walk to celebrate "White Cane Awareness Day" on Oct. 24, 2012. Photo by Veronica Weber/Palo Alto Online.

2012 White Cane Walk a Success

Aerial view of the beginning construction of the foundation

Construction Begins on New Polytrauma and Blind Center

Additionally; the WBRC will be closed for business on: 
Tuesday January 1st  

The WBRC RN station may be reached by calling:
(650) 493-5000
select 1, then select 2, then enter 24623
-or-
select 1, then select 2, then enter 24823

You may also leave a message at the WBRC Direct Line at:
(650) 614-9952

Blast From the Past: 1978 WBRC Open House Article

Image: Palo Alto Times newspaper clipping from 1978



Brian Higgins, WBRC CATs Supervisor, found this 1978 Palo Alto Times newspaper clipping while unpacking from our recent move to Menlo Park.  The short article titled ‘VA Blind Center Slates Open House’, describes a WBRC open house scheduled for February 21, 1978, shortly after the WBRC moved from Menlo Park to a newly constructed building [48] on the Palo Alto hospital grounds.  Following below is a typed copy of the article in it's entirety.

‘VA Blind Center Slates Open House’

               [February 17th, 1978] The new $2.9 Million Western Blind Rehabilitation Center at the Palo Alto Veterans Administration Hospital has planned an open house from 2 to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 21.

                The building is the first in the VA system designed and built exclusively for dealing with problems related to blindness and low vision.

                The two-story building, located on the northwest portion of the grounds of the Palo Alto VA hospital, has 38,000 square feet of floor space.  It’s unusual F-shaped design makes it easier for the blind veterans to learn their way around.

                Other features include distinct color schemes enabling low vision patients to distinguish readily between sections within the building, individually controlled lighting and temperature and piped in music.

                The center can accommodate up to 30 inpatients, both men and women.  It serves veterans from the western states.

                At the open house, representatives from the VA central office in Washington, D.C., the Palo Alto VA hospital and the American Foundation for the Blind will participate in a ceremony beginning at 2 p.m.  At 3 p.m. the doors will be open to the public.  The Staff and patients will be available to answer questions.

                The center provides a multidisciplinary, individualized treatment of the problems of adjusting to loss of sight.  Programs include providing the visually impaired veteran with alternative methods of communicating, developing sensory and organizational skills and self confidence, teaching the blind to travel safely and independently, providing recreational activities such as swimming and bowling, and assisting the veteran’s adjustment into his family and community.

                In addition, the center focuses on research and development of devices to alleviate the difficulties experienced by people adjusting to sight loss.

A Look Back on 2011



Image: 2012 written in multi-colored sparklers on black background



WBRC would like to wish everyone a very happy and healthy 2012. 

There were several big events for WBRC in 2011, including our move from Palo Alto to our temporary home at Menlo Park.  As we settle in to our new space and prepare for 2012 we have had some time to look back on the past year. 

The following are links to some of our favorite WBRC Blog Posts:

 Photograph of Dr. Goodrich accepting the 'Tiresias' Award at the

2011 ISLRR 10th Annual International Low Vision Conference

WBRC's Dr. Gregory Goodrich Recognized Internationally



 WBRC staff, Paula Wood and Summer Beasley-Hoffman, participate
in training to learn how to document information for the mapping project.

WBRC Staff Assist with BART Tactile-Audio Map Project



Nicole Marquez, WBRC Recreation Therapist, and a golf pro coach
a WBRC student on his golf swing

VA Palo Alto Website Covers Golf Program

The WBRC Bay to Breakers Team, from left to right; Richard Wing, Don Vu,
Summer Beasley-Hoffman, Dan Nakamura, and Brian Higgins

WBRC Team Completes 100th Annual Bay to Breakers Race

Photo: The 'Flight to Freedom' sculpture located in the WBRC entry area

VAPAHCS Blind Rehabilitation Services Soar During Recent CARF Survey

Photo: WBRC staff review building plans prior to walk through.

WBRC Staff 'Walk Through' New Menlo Park Building



Photo: Yurika Vu (left) and Susan Marshall,
both WBRC CATs Instructors, during the walk.
Susan walked the entire route under blindfold
using a long white cane.

White Cane Awareness Walk 2011 a Big Success

Photo: Cactus the Guide Dog pupping in training laying down at
the feet of Laura Koehler, O&M Instructor and Puppy Raiser

WBRC Welcomes New Guide Dog Puppy in Training



Photo: Exterior view of new WBRC building and outdoor Recreation
Therapy area including golf putting green and horseshoe pits.

WBRC Has Officially Moved to Menlo Park

Photo: L.E. 'Gene' Apple, first Chief of the WBRC, with nurses
and volunteer Marie Dunlap (second from right) in front of the entrance
to building 209 (the original Menlo Park location of the WBRC). 

WBRC's Return to Menlo Park - A Look Back