Helping those in severe need who come to the attention of our social service committee can be time-consuming, sometimes frustrating but also very gratifying when we can help transform someone’s life.
A speech-language pathologist at CU Denver’s Assistive Technology Partners reached out to us about a client who has had many
hardships, including Meningitis that caused limited ambulatory mobility, partial deafness, the inability to see out of one eye and aphasia. She had been utilizing an iPad with communication software to aid in her communicative effectiveness, but the device was lost when the mount was not properly installed when her wheelchair was being replaced.
As I pursued this request for help with getting the device replaced, I knew there was no way we could purchase a new one for about $4,000, but kept up the conversation with the case worker.
Fast-forwarding through the many details of working with the Speech-Language Pathologist at Assistive Technology Partners, she discovered a person on FaceBook who had the device for sale for $500. Going above and way beyond what I’m sure is her job description, the caseworker verified the device was what was needed and was in good working order, made arrangements to get the device from Eastern Colorado and figured out how to facilitate payment in a way that was acceptable for us. And thanks to Mark for figuring out how to facilitate this payment from the budget.
I have a picture of the recipient I’ll share at a meeting. Below are the thank you notes from the client and caseworker.
Myrna Ann Adkins (and thank you Lion Myrna Ann for going extra mile.,
The Lions office has moved. We are still at the First Baptist Church. We moved from the first floor to the basement. The church built space for our office as part of a storage room. To get to the office go down the stairs and turn right and go to the end of the hall. Go through the unlocked storage doors and enter our office door with a keypad lock. The key code has not changed. This new space meets our needs for storage and as a KidSight unit drop off. This move will save the club $4800 per year after the first year. All this was arranged with the help of Lion Brian Henderson. The setting up of shelving and moving a lot of boxes was done by Lions Jim Hannifin, Dan Kiel, Dwight Steen, and Fletcher Brown. Thanks to all.
While the Denver Den does not have a White Cane for the Blind, program the National Federation for the Blind does have it, If you hear of someone who needs a white cane CLICK here for the weblink,
With the start of our Lions year, are also starting up KidSight. During the summer we have been scheduling KidSight events for the fall. We already scheduled 30 screening between now and December. It will be a busy fall and will need a lot of help this fall. Go to DenverLions.org calendar for the events. Need help next week Wednesday 9/18 and Thursday 9/19
The PlusOptic screener is easy to use. Just attend a screening to try your hand at screening. Most screenings are less than a couple of hours in the morning. Most screenings are done by 11 am. KidSight is a way to make a difference in a child’s life
Lion President Bill Henderson lead the 2019 Board Retreat. Many ideas were discussed to make the Denver Lions more successful. During the coming months, you will see many of the ideas put in action.
Denver Lions Club is collaborating with Aurora Community Connection (ACC) to conduct an eyesight screening campaign in September. Here are the particulars:
What: Eyesight Screening Campaign - We will have optometrists to screen patients and distribute recycled eyeglasses to those in need.
Where:
Aurora Community Connection, 9801 East Colfax Avenue, Aurora CO 80010
When:
Wednesday, September 25, 2019, 3:00 to 7:00 pm
We need volunteers to help with:
Intake, Acuity testing via eyecharts, Autorefractor (Plusoptix and Retinomax) readings, Eyeglasses distribution, Crowd control
If you are interested in volunteering, please reply to this email and let me know. The volunteer team will be supervised by Denver Lions Susy Osorio Kinsky and Razz Cortes-Maceda, who are ACC Board Members.