12-23-2009 –
I am more grateful than ever this Christmas season and it is not Christmas day. Funny for years how I believed that somehow, someday, things would be better on their own and all along all I needed to do was sit back and realize how good I have it.
Living with legal blindness owned me for years, but now (the only time I have) I am deeply grateful. I took charge of my life and now am happy, joyous, and free.
I wish for all a happy and successful Holiday Season. This could be the time to take complete control, 100% responsibility for our lives and be grateful for our blessings.
Making a decision to focus on what I can do, and not what I cannot do or did not have made a huge difference in my life.
Yes, I can read with a video magnifier, better lighting, pocket magnifier, a computer that reads to me and displays very large print, a camera that takes a picture of my magazines – actually any printed materials - and reads them back to me in a human sounding voice, and best of all many low tech items that enable me to live a much higher quality of life.
I am grateful for all the wonderful people in my life, for my clear mind’s eye, and the inspiration I get on a daily basis to help others with their struggles.
We are all blessed. I look forward to hearing from you and seeing you in the store.
Charlie Collins
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Vision Dynamics, LLC of Cheshire, CT strengthens ties with HumanWare, a Canadian based international provider of Low Vision/Blindness products
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
EDITORIAL CONTACT:
Jack Sheehan
Director of Marketing
Vision Dynamics
203-271-1944
jack@visiondynamics.com
Vision Dynamics expands its long term association with HumanWare in adding their complete Low Vision Line, highlighting the new Intel Reader.
Cheshire, CT – December 17, 2009.
Charlie Collins, founder and owner, of Vision Dynamics is happy to extend their twelve year association with HumanWare. “We have always offered the HumanWare line of Blindness Aids and as we both continue to grow, we are very comfortable in knowing that they are constantly seeking to add new products.” said Charlie.
HumanWare is a Canadian based company with offices in Australia/New Zealand, Europe/UK, and the United States. On the HumanWare web site it states.”HumanWare's products are having a profoundly positive impact on the lives of people who are blind or visually impaired. These are the tools that empower them to live independently and compete effectively in a sighted world.”
Vinnie Zappa, V/P of Low Vision Sales for HumanWare, stated “HumanWare products are designed to last, to grow (and in many cases, to go) with the user. Giving them the independence to compete effectively with peers, to feel connected – to be a vital part of the global information age in which we live”. Charlie adds “This statement fits right in with our mission to inspire and empower people with low vision, blindness, and learning difficulties with the hope, desire and ability to lead happy and independent lives.”
HumanWare’s Low vision aids include the brand new SmartView Synergy video magnifier (CCTV), myReader2 (auto reader) and the SmartView Graduate (close-up/distance camera). Humanware has a full line of hand held portable magnifiers including the SmartView Nano, Pocket, Versa and Versa+. Video readers offered include the new Intel Reader. There is a soon to be released Orator for BlackBerry Smartphones. This will bring your BlackBerry to life using state of the art text to speech (TTS) technology with adjustable volume and speech rate.
“This is the kind of awareness and advanced thinking we are accustomed to from HumanWare.” said Charlie. “They are cutting edge providers in our industry. That is why we have been able to benefit from this partnership for so long.”
EDITORIAL CONTACT:
Jack Sheehan
Director of Marketing
Vision Dynamics
203-271-1944
jack@visiondynamics.com
Vision Dynamics expands its long term association with HumanWare in adding their complete Low Vision Line, highlighting the new Intel Reader.
Cheshire, CT – December 17, 2009.
Charlie Collins, founder and owner, of Vision Dynamics is happy to extend their twelve year association with HumanWare. “We have always offered the HumanWare line of Blindness Aids and as we both continue to grow, we are very comfortable in knowing that they are constantly seeking to add new products.” said Charlie.
HumanWare is a Canadian based company with offices in Australia/New Zealand, Europe/UK, and the United States. On the HumanWare web site it states.”HumanWare's products are having a profoundly positive impact on the lives of people who are blind or visually impaired. These are the tools that empower them to live independently and compete effectively in a sighted world.”
Vinnie Zappa, V/P of Low Vision Sales for HumanWare, stated “HumanWare products are designed to last, to grow (and in many cases, to go) with the user. Giving them the independence to compete effectively with peers, to feel connected – to be a vital part of the global information age in which we live”. Charlie adds “This statement fits right in with our mission to inspire and empower people with low vision, blindness, and learning difficulties with the hope, desire and ability to lead happy and independent lives.”
HumanWare’s Low vision aids include the brand new SmartView Synergy video magnifier (CCTV), myReader2 (auto reader) and the SmartView Graduate (close-up/distance camera). Humanware has a full line of hand held portable magnifiers including the SmartView Nano, Pocket, Versa and Versa+. Video readers offered include the new Intel Reader. There is a soon to be released Orator for BlackBerry Smartphones. This will bring your BlackBerry to life using state of the art text to speech (TTS) technology with adjustable volume and speech rate.
“This is the kind of awareness and advanced thinking we are accustomed to from HumanWare.” said Charlie. “They are cutting edge providers in our industry. That is why we have been able to benefit from this partnership for so long.”
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Vision Testing
Charlie Collins:
As one who is visually impaired I am very familiar with struggling with my initial thoughts. Are you having doubts or questions about your vision? Can’t do more of the things you used to handle easily? Not sure what, if anything, you can do? I remember having all these thoughts when I was diagnosed with Juvenile Macular Degeneration. If you are struggling and looking for some answers try these everyday living questions.
Do you find it difficult for you to watch sports or the news, your favorite “soaps” on TV?
Can you see the regular print in newspapers, magazines or books?
Can you see the large print headlines in the newspaper?
Are you having difficulty when you use your computer, play cards, sew, or doing other favorite things?
Are you having difficulty reading labels on medicine bottles or prices at the supermarket?
Are you having difficulty reading your own handwriting or your personal mail?
Are you sometimes even having difficulty recognizing the faces of family or friends?
Does seeing in dim or bright lights seem to be getting more difficult?
If you answered yes to three of these questions and have not had an eye exam recently I advise
you to do so as soon as possible. Your problems may not be serious and you may only need a minor adjustment to your normal vision.
If you answered yes to more than three of these questions there is a definite need for a vision examination conducted by an optometrist or ophthalmologist.
You are not alone in your doubts, perhaps even fears, about these questions. I personally know there are many ways to solve whatever problems you may be experiencing. My staff and I can help with advice or with the vision aids we deal with every day. Please call me or send me an e-mail today. I have been where you are so I know the way out.
As one who is visually impaired I am very familiar with struggling with my initial thoughts. Are you having doubts or questions about your vision? Can’t do more of the things you used to handle easily? Not sure what, if anything, you can do? I remember having all these thoughts when I was diagnosed with Juvenile Macular Degeneration. If you are struggling and looking for some answers try these everyday living questions.
Do you find it difficult for you to watch sports or the news, your favorite “soaps” on TV?
Can you see the regular print in newspapers, magazines or books?
Can you see the large print headlines in the newspaper?
Are you having difficulty when you use your computer, play cards, sew, or doing other favorite things?
Are you having difficulty reading labels on medicine bottles or prices at the supermarket?
Are you having difficulty reading your own handwriting or your personal mail?
Are you sometimes even having difficulty recognizing the faces of family or friends?
Does seeing in dim or bright lights seem to be getting more difficult?
If you answered yes to three of these questions and have not had an eye exam recently I advise
you to do so as soon as possible. Your problems may not be serious and you may only need a minor adjustment to your normal vision.
If you answered yes to more than three of these questions there is a definite need for a vision examination conducted by an optometrist or ophthalmologist.
You are not alone in your doubts, perhaps even fears, about these questions. I personally know there are many ways to solve whatever problems you may be experiencing. My staff and I can help with advice or with the vision aids we deal with every day. Please call me or send me an e-mail today. I have been where you are so I know the way out.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
You can help me help the vision impaired needy.
Charlie Collins:
I am a sufferer of Juvenile Macular Degeneration. I know what it is like to face life with the fear and anxiety that loss of vision brings to its victims. I also remember what happened when I realized there was help for my problem. Now I want to show people who are really hurting in this recession how they can still get help.
Using my large print, talking computer, I read a letter last week from an agency representing our local nonprofit agencies.
“With the nation’s unemployment rate over 10%, more and more middle-class families find themselves seeking services from nonprofit providers. The very people who were donating to nonprofit providers as recently as eighteen months ago are now applying for services.” states a recent letter from The Connecticut Nonprofit Human Services Cabinet (CNHSC) This agency represents well over 800 nonprofit providers across Connecticut that contract with the state to provide health and human services on its behalf
The letter added “The economic bubble has burst for our state. Unfortunately, there was no bubble to burst for nonprofit providers; we’ve been “doing more with less” for so long that many cannot remember what it is like to not struggle to balance a budget. The fiscal hardships that the state went through in 2009 are what nonprofit providers have been going through for years.”
This letter made the severity of the problems facing nonprofits very clear. I made up my mind right then that I was going to do something to help. You may be able to help too. Our company, Vision Dynamics in Cheshire, is well known to these agencies. Our reputation is one of always being ready, able and even anxious to help. We believe there are many vision aids not being used by the original purchasers for many reasons. We upgrade people’s aids many times and they usually keep their original product. We will be contacting those folks to offer to act as a drop off station for vision aids that are no longer being used. We have arranged to deliver these items to the non-profits that we and CNHSC support and make sure they get to the people that need them. I know we can make a difference in someone’s life that might not happen without this help.
If you or a loved one has one of these in your house, a magnifier or other item that is no longer being used because a stronger one was needed, someone can still use that original! There are other examples, readers, Braille products and many others. Our staff, most visually impaired themselves, is expert at placing the right tool in the right hands. You can drop off any vision aid product at Vision Dynamics, 470 West Main Street in Cheshire, CT. Items dropped off before December 15th may make a Merry Christmas gift for a needy person!
If you or a loved one needs vision aid advice but are unsure about the help available to you, please contact us, we may be able to put you in touch with an agency that can help you.
I am a sufferer of Juvenile Macular Degeneration. I know what it is like to face life with the fear and anxiety that loss of vision brings to its victims. I also remember what happened when I realized there was help for my problem. Now I want to show people who are really hurting in this recession how they can still get help.
Using my large print, talking computer, I read a letter last week from an agency representing our local nonprofit agencies.
“With the nation’s unemployment rate over 10%, more and more middle-class families find themselves seeking services from nonprofit providers. The very people who were donating to nonprofit providers as recently as eighteen months ago are now applying for services.” states a recent letter from The Connecticut Nonprofit Human Services Cabinet (CNHSC) This agency represents well over 800 nonprofit providers across Connecticut that contract with the state to provide health and human services on its behalf
The letter added “The economic bubble has burst for our state. Unfortunately, there was no bubble to burst for nonprofit providers; we’ve been “doing more with less” for so long that many cannot remember what it is like to not struggle to balance a budget. The fiscal hardships that the state went through in 2009 are what nonprofit providers have been going through for years.”
This letter made the severity of the problems facing nonprofits very clear. I made up my mind right then that I was going to do something to help. You may be able to help too. Our company, Vision Dynamics in Cheshire, is well known to these agencies. Our reputation is one of always being ready, able and even anxious to help. We believe there are many vision aids not being used by the original purchasers for many reasons. We upgrade people’s aids many times and they usually keep their original product. We will be contacting those folks to offer to act as a drop off station for vision aids that are no longer being used. We have arranged to deliver these items to the non-profits that we and CNHSC support and make sure they get to the people that need them. I know we can make a difference in someone’s life that might not happen without this help.
If you or a loved one has one of these in your house, a magnifier or other item that is no longer being used because a stronger one was needed, someone can still use that original! There are other examples, readers, Braille products and many others. Our staff, most visually impaired themselves, is expert at placing the right tool in the right hands. You can drop off any vision aid product at Vision Dynamics, 470 West Main Street in Cheshire, CT. Items dropped off before December 15th may make a Merry Christmas gift for a needy person!
If you or a loved one needs vision aid advice but are unsure about the help available to you, please contact us, we may be able to put you in touch with an agency that can help you.
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