Mid-Atlantic Regional Group
Blinded Veterans Association
Roanoke/Salem BVA Chapter
Chapter Officers:
President: Mike Doyle
Vice President: Rick Rhett
Secretary/Treasurer: Ernest Bradly
Vist Coordinator: Stephanie Ayers
Phone Number: (540) 982-2643 Ext. 3356
Roanoke/Salem BVA volunteer Office.
Hours of Operation: 09:00 to 1:00 Monday through Friday
Phone number: (540) 982-2463 Ext. 1758
Office Manager: Mike Doyle
Assistant Manager: Rick Rhett
Roanoke/Salem BVA chapter meetings are on the first Wednesday of every other month. The meeting is held in bldg 76 first floor conference room. All meetings are conference call and that number is 1-800-767-1750 Code number 89213.
February 2010. Meeting is in bldg 76 first floor conference room and the meeting will start at 10:00 to 11:00. The meeting will be on the first Wednesday.
April 2010. Meeting is in bldg 76 first floor conference room and the meeting will start at 10:00 to 11:00. The meeting will be on the first Wednesday.
June 2010. Meeting is in bldg 76 first floor conference room and the meeting will start at 11:00 am to 12:00pm. The meeting will be on the first Wednesday.
August 2010. Meeting is in bldg 76 first floor conference room and the meeting will start at 10:00 to 11:00. The meeting will be on the first Wednesday.
October 2010. Meeting is in bldg 76 first floor conference room and the meeting will start at 10:00 to 11:00. The meeting will be on the first Wednesday.
December 2010. Meeting is in bldg 76 first floor conference room and the meeting will start at 10:00 to 11:00. The meeting will be on the first Wednesday.
The Mid-Atlantic Regional Group
Blinded Veterans Association
Roanoke/Salem Chapter Meeting Notice
MARG, BVA
ROANOKE/SALEM CHAPTER
Mid-Atlantic Regional Group, BVA
(540) 982-2463 ext. 1758
Dear
Members,
The next
Roanoke/Salem group meeting scheduled for
CANCELLED!!!!
The MARG meeting
will be held on
The BVA’s 65th
convention will be held in
WE HAVE A
We look forward to seeing/hearing from you. If you have the time visit the regional group website at www.margbva.org and see what is going on.
Michael Doyle
Roanoke/Salem Chapter President
Roanoke/Salem Meeting Notice Archive
The Mid-Atlantic Regional Group
Blinded Veterans Association
The Roanoke/Salem Chapter meeting minutes of the MARG, Blinded Veterans Meeting on December 2, 2009 was attended by:
Ed Walker
Richard Rhett and Linda Rhett
Mike Doyle
Stephanie Ayers
Telephone conferees were
Clyde Compton (Tazewell, VA
Butch Lawrence
Roger Lewis
Ernie Bradley (and Lola)
Ronald Wright
Guest Speaker Rosemary Duda, Director of the VISOR program at the Richmond VA Medical Center.
Mike Doyle welcomed everyone and the Pledge of Allegiance was said.and then Ed Walker offered a prayer.
Mike introduced the guest speaker Rosemary Duda and turned the program over to her. She said she had been the Director of the VISOR
Program in Richmond for 6 months. Prior to that she was with the LIGHTHOUSE for 21 years. She said that VISOR stands for Veterans Impairment Services Outreach Rehabilitation. She said that in 2007 Congress passed a bill for forty million dollars for VISOR. Richmond is now fully staffed and is the highest level of VISOR in the region. There are two lower levels, one is in NC.
VISOR works with VIST coordinators and optometrist outpatient services. They have the fifth floor of the hospital. Rosemary is working to put VISAR on the map. At the present time they have 4 lodger beds but anyone participating in the program must have a place to stay on their own in the evening. They do not have any personnel on the floor after 4:30 daily. They are trying to get the four beds incorporated into some other department in the hospital where supervision would be available 24/7.
They offer low vision evaluation which amounts to little more than the basics. They have computer access and technical training, mobility, living skills, manual skills, and low vision therapy as well.
They have no canine training except as a follow-up need. The basic computer training includes how to get on the internet, how to check your e-mail. It offers Zoom-Text, Guide, and JAWS programs. Your technical skills would be assessed with the scanner and other technical details. Nothing work-related is offered; just communication.
They do issue equipment you are trained in using. If the equipment is sent directly to your house at the end of your training, someone would be made available to help you set it up in your home if necessary.
The question regarding the use of private optomologists was asked. Rosemary said we do not have anything really to do with the wait list in the Optomologist office. The chief and office are very busy. I do not know if she contracts out work. We cannot recommend any body.
Rosemary said that she is working on the CAT program (Computer Access and Technology) of the home care program of VISOR. They are still working on procedures, protocol and approval. The home care part includes troubleshooting computer problems in the home and adaptations and training in the home regarding the kitchen, et.al. Another facilitator at the hospital is especially interesting in vets with sensory problems such as hearing loss a well as low vision.
Rosemary said she would give an update at the April Regional Meeting. Before she got off the phone she said she hoped to visit the Roanoke Chapter some time. She thinks Roanoke is a beautiful location. Rosemary left at that time.
Mike asked Stephanie Ayers, VIST coordinator, to speak to the group about anything she wanted to address. She explained that the first of next year she hoped to have in place a support group on months that the Roanoke/Salem Chapter does not meet. She asked for suggestions for speakers, topics, any feedback she could get from each one listening.
She reiterated that any requests for equipment repair or replacement should go through her as she has to prepare the proper paperwork to place the order and then to see that you get the item ordered.
Stephanie said the buzzer program she is working on that will notify blind veterans that their prescription is ready for pick up at the pharmacy is not in effect yet, but it will be soon. Stephanie said that her e-mail address is Stephanie.ayers@va.gov but to follow up with a phone call (ext 3356) as some of her messages are marked as spam and never reach her.
Mike announced that as of yesterday H1N1 flu shots were available and all you had to do is walk into your primary care doctor and say you want the H1N1 flu shot.
Mike said that to get to a specific office or clinic within the VAMC telephone system all you have to do is dial the last four digits/extension of the office or clinic you want which will give you the clinic you want. If you call the VAMC at 982-2463 then the four digit extension you will reach the clinic or office you want.
Another change to expect soon is when you check in to the front desk as normal, you will not have to do this. Just go to your Primary Care Office. BUT for now, continue to check in at the front desk.
Mike reiterated the plans for the Christmas Party at 4 PM December 8 at Applebees at Tanglewood Mall. Those who have RSVP’d thus far are Ed, Rick, Mike, Butch, Clyde, Roger and Ernie. He spelled out that the dinner for 2 for $20 a couple will also include one appetizer and non-alcoholic drinks. Any desserts and alcoholic drinks would be out of your pocket. If you bring more than one guests, you will be responsible for all their charges.
Mike gave a detailed accounting of the new accounts opened up at the Credit Union and each expense thus far and the balances. The chapter has $543 (and change) in checking, $5.00 in savings, and $38.04 in cash.
Mike told everyone. The accounting book is open for anyone to look at and you are welcome to come by the office and check it..
Mike mentioned that lodging for the Spring Regional Meeting in Richmond in March or April would be $69 per room. The Regional Convention will be in Alexandria the latter part of August, probably after August 18th but lodging and prices are not available yet.
With no other business to be discussed, the meeting was adjourned.
Ernest E. Bradley
Secretary/
End Document