Recap of meeting Nov.21 2007
Presiding: Erik Tremblay opened the meeting around 6.30 P.M.
Coral introduced our guests: Ann Mullen, waiting to be inducted as a member, Jennifer Johnson, our speaker and Klaas Dekker, prospective member.
Team #1 in charge of the evening.
After the meal Sergeant at Arms, Rama Murthi went around and levied some fines to the people that went to the Rotary Day at the United nations, even Klaas got fined for some reason, sitting beside a nice lady in the train. Peter Stam got fined because as a group we went for a meal in Ithica on the way back and enjoyed Mexican food by invitation. Tim had a sad buck for Doug because of a parking ticked in New York.(that was not cheap),. Paul Turner had a happy 5 Bucks because he proposed to S ondra Fyffe and they are getting married in the spring, congratulations Paul and Sondra. There were more happy bucks then I can remember.
Tracey Hillier asked if we still wanted to have a Christmas party at her house, Erik would investigate, time is running out for dates.
Doug Vincent spoke about the wheelchair distribution in Mexico that he and other Rotarians went on, he spoke about different people how much they appreciate their new mobility, especial a man that asked them to to one thing for him after they placed him in his wheelchair. As he had been looking out of his window for 30 years at an almond tree and never been able to go out and sit under it, so he asked them if they would wheel him out there so he could do this for the first time. This was not only about giving people mobility but also dignity. Doug invited any of us to go along the next time and experience this for ourself as everyone should do this at least once. Thanks Doug for going out there for all Rotarians.
Jennifer Johnson was introduced by Peter Stam.
CNIB is a nationwide, community based, registered charity committed to research, public education and vision health for all Canadians. They help people learn skills necessary to adapt to their vision loss and lead an active and independent lifestyle.
Vision loss brings fear and anxiety in most people, CNIB are teaching people different ways to deal with vision loss. They have an early intervention program which teaches children as young as 2-3 years to deal with the loss so they can lead a normal lifestyle. CNIB also helps the parents to connect with the right people so together they help the child.
Some of the teaching involves puzzles with different textures and shapes so they can feel the difference and also teaching braille. They even teach in coloring books where they surround the outlining with soft sandpaper or other different material.
Not all children are totally blind that they help, some have a vision impairment. Vision impairment can be discovered as young as a baby.
There are currently 5 children and their families working with an EIS Specialist in the Woodstock area that are using the CNIB's Early Intervention Services program. The annual cost of delivering this service to a child is $1000.
Funding is provided in part by the Government, United Way, Corporations, Service Clubs and individuals. The London area has about 25 employees and about 100 volunteers.
The CNIB 2008 budget is $1,194,017 for London area including Woodstock.
Thanks Jennifer for your good work and your presentation which teaches us a bit about what is going on in this area.