Inaugural VisionWalk in Birmingham
on Saturday, November 21, 2009
at Homewood Central Park.
Registration begins at 9:00 A.M. and the Walk will start at 10:00 A.M.
The event will raise money for the research that will lead to cures for retinal degenerative diseases, including retinitis pigmentosa, macular degeneration, Usher syndrome, Stargardt disease, and numerous others. These diseases affect more than 10 million Americans of all races and ethnic groups, young and old.
Please bring your entire family to join in on the fun and excitement. We will have various activities for people of all ages, including a DJ, face painting, Kids’ Zone, and a bounce house. We will also have plenty of snacks and refreshments, a creative team spirit contest, fun announcements, and much more.
For more information go to www.maculardegenerationassociation.org
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Group gives 'world of help' to couple coping with dementia Group gives 'world of help' to couple coping with dementia
By Ann Sperring
Korean War veteran Dick Robertson suffers from dementia. His wife, Sarah, whose hand is touching his at their Ocala home Wednesday, is going blind.The Florida Horse Park hosts a benefit Saturday for the local Alzheimer's and Dementia Alliance. Korean War veteran Dick Robertson suffers from dementia. His wife, Sarah, whose hand is touching his at their Ocala home Wednesday, is going blind.The Florida Horse Park hosts a benefit Saturday for the local Alzheimer's and Dementia Alliance.
A pervasive darkness is wedging itself into the life and loves of Dick Robertson. It is attempting to pry loose the bonds of his marriage of 56 years to his childhood sweetheart and engulf his 78 years of learning.
The darkness throws its shadows into every aspect of Dick and Sarah Robertson's lives and will not retreat from the brightest light man or medicine can shine. Dick Robertson - husband, father, grandfather, Korean War veteran, retired accountant and strapping 6-foot tall man - is slowly being separated from his world as dementia erases his memories and recall function.
Sarah Robertson, her husband's primary caregiver, has macular degeneration nibbling her vision away.
The Robertsons attend one of eight Alzheimer's and Dementia Alliance for Education and Support Inc. support groups scattered throughout the county. While the caregivers meet, volunteers engage the clients in activities to stimulate their brains.
A fundraiser to benefit the alliance is being held Saturday at the Florida Horse Park. The 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. event includes a cricket match between area physicians and a local cricket team, an antique car show and a silent auction. Admission is $10, and door prize tickets are $1 each.
In addition to support groups, the alliance provides care consultations and helps family members learn about resources and community support.
According to Terrie Hardison, founder and director of the local alliance, each diagnosis of Alzheimer's or dementia means a caregiver support team of three to five people will be required.
"Lives are going to be changed and demands placed on families that may not match their expectations," she said. "The more knowledge people have, the better their coping skills."
At the Robertson home, two brains are challenged. Dick has to be Sarah's eyes to read prescriptions; she has to recall when he is supposed to take them.
Sarah Robertson said she has found a "world of help from Terrie and the services she and her husband provide. I would be overwhelmed if it were not for the support groups I attend, the knowledge I have acquired, the friends I have made and the comfort of knowing help is a phone call away."
For more information go to www.maculardegenerationassociation.org
Korean War veteran Dick Robertson suffers from dementia. His wife, Sarah, whose hand is touching his at their Ocala home Wednesday, is going blind.The Florida Horse Park hosts a benefit Saturday for the local Alzheimer's and Dementia Alliance. Korean War veteran Dick Robertson suffers from dementia. His wife, Sarah, whose hand is touching his at their Ocala home Wednesday, is going blind.The Florida Horse Park hosts a benefit Saturday for the local Alzheimer's and Dementia Alliance.
A pervasive darkness is wedging itself into the life and loves of Dick Robertson. It is attempting to pry loose the bonds of his marriage of 56 years to his childhood sweetheart and engulf his 78 years of learning.
The darkness throws its shadows into every aspect of Dick and Sarah Robertson's lives and will not retreat from the brightest light man or medicine can shine. Dick Robertson - husband, father, grandfather, Korean War veteran, retired accountant and strapping 6-foot tall man - is slowly being separated from his world as dementia erases his memories and recall function.
Sarah Robertson, her husband's primary caregiver, has macular degeneration nibbling her vision away.
The Robertsons attend one of eight Alzheimer's and Dementia Alliance for Education and Support Inc. support groups scattered throughout the county. While the caregivers meet, volunteers engage the clients in activities to stimulate their brains.
A fundraiser to benefit the alliance is being held Saturday at the Florida Horse Park. The 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. event includes a cricket match between area physicians and a local cricket team, an antique car show and a silent auction. Admission is $10, and door prize tickets are $1 each.
In addition to support groups, the alliance provides care consultations and helps family members learn about resources and community support.
According to Terrie Hardison, founder and director of the local alliance, each diagnosis of Alzheimer's or dementia means a caregiver support team of three to five people will be required.
"Lives are going to be changed and demands placed on families that may not match their expectations," she said. "The more knowledge people have, the better their coping skills."
At the Robertson home, two brains are challenged. Dick has to be Sarah's eyes to read prescriptions; she has to recall when he is supposed to take them.
Sarah Robertson said she has found a "world of help from Terrie and the services she and her husband provide. I would be overwhelmed if it were not for the support groups I attend, the knowledge I have acquired, the friends I have made and the comfort of knowing help is a phone call away."
For more information go to www.maculardegenerationassociation.org
Monday, October 5, 2009
The Ray Romano and Kevin James Celebrity Golf Classic to Benefit Advancement in Vision Research
LA JOLLA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Ray Romano and Kevin James Celebrity Golf Classic will be held on Monday, November 16, 2009 at the El Caballero Country Club in Tarzana, California. This year’s golf classic will benefit the advancement in vision science at The Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, California.
The celebrity tournament is an annual event hosted by television and film stars Ray Romano (Everybody Loves Raymond, Ice Age) and Kevin James (The King of Queens, Paul Blart: Mall Cop). Each year, Romano and James choose a cause to support that is close to their hearts. Funds raised by this year’s golf tournament will support the research and treating of such debilitating vision diseases as retinitis pigmentosa and macular degeneration.
“My scientific team and I greatly appreciate Ray and Kevin for choosing The Scripps Research Institute as the beneficiary of this year’s golf tournament. The Ray Romano & Kevin James Celebrity Golf Classic’s contribution will be dedicated to research on stem cells for RP and MD patients,” said Scripps Research Professor Martin Friedlander, M.D./Ph.D., who is also a practicing ophthalmologist at the Scripps Clinic.
For information regarding sponsorship opportunities, please contact: Golf on Earth Event Services at: (818) 594-7277.
For more information go to www.maculardegenerationassociation.org
The celebrity tournament is an annual event hosted by television and film stars Ray Romano (Everybody Loves Raymond, Ice Age) and Kevin James (The King of Queens, Paul Blart: Mall Cop). Each year, Romano and James choose a cause to support that is close to their hearts. Funds raised by this year’s golf tournament will support the research and treating of such debilitating vision diseases as retinitis pigmentosa and macular degeneration.
“My scientific team and I greatly appreciate Ray and Kevin for choosing The Scripps Research Institute as the beneficiary of this year’s golf tournament. The Ray Romano & Kevin James Celebrity Golf Classic’s contribution will be dedicated to research on stem cells for RP and MD patients,” said Scripps Research Professor Martin Friedlander, M.D./Ph.D., who is also a practicing ophthalmologist at the Scripps Clinic.
For information regarding sponsorship opportunities, please contact: Golf on Earth Event Services at: (818) 594-7277.
For more information go to www.maculardegenerationassociation.org
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