seeing beyond vision loss Welcome to CNIB’s InFocus Webinar Series Webinar 4: Adjusting to Vision Loss John Pimental, RN, DE, & Vision Rehabilitation Therapist Sharon Kanhai 21 st November 2012

seeing beyond vision loss Emotional impact of vision loss for clients and families Agenda Sharon Kanhai’s personal story Barriers to care Tips for health care professionals – helping clients through the transition Q & A session

seeing beyond vision loss John Pimental John Pimental RN, DE & Vision Rehabilitation Therapist, Insight Vision Rehabilitation Centre

seeing beyond vision loss Emotional Impact DENIAL DEPRESSION ACCEPTANCE ANGER GRIEF

seeing beyond vision loss Emotional Impact Choices: Pastimes Responsibilities Job/Career Hold it out Learn how to refill it React to empty basket

seeing beyond vision loss Choices encountered: Emotional Impact Default 1. End it all 2. Isolation 3. Take back your life

seeing beyond vision loss Learn to face fear via: 1. Orientation and mobility training 2. Put fear in perspective ie. enlightened fear Barriers to Care Fear – an integral part of blindness The word or concept “blind”

seeing beyond vision loss 1. Simple tools eg. white cane, safety pins Tips for HCP’s in Helping Clients Organization and labeling Teach adaptive techniques: 2. Technology eg. talking watches, blood glucose meters, scales, etc. 3. Adaptive techniques 4. Sensory development

seeing beyond vision loss Barriers to Care 2. Must be willing to work at becoming proficient Any task can be adapted Requirements for the learner: 1. Must be willing to learn a different way 3. Be patient – will often take longer to learn

seeing beyond vision loss 1. Don’t pity or patronize the client. Example of best approach: “This is a sad thing but there is help available. You can’t have your sight back but you can have your life back” Tips for HCP’s in Helping Clients 2. Assess the need for professional counseling 3. Refer the client to CNIB 4. Beware of myths

seeing beyond vision loss Tips for HCP’s in Helping Clients 5. Independence is not about never needing help for anything at all Only ask for help when you really need it 6. Put the client in touch with other successful blind people It is not possible to overstate the importance of successful role models

seeing beyond vision loss Words of Wisdom “It is not miserable being blind; it is only miserable to be incapable of enduring blindness” – John Milton “It is not what happens to you but how you deal with what happens to you” – John Pimental

seeing beyond vision loss Sharon Kanhai

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seeing beyond vision loss Production of materials has been made possible through a financial contribution from the Public Health Agency of Canada. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the views of the Public Health Agency of Canada. CNIB Website: Toll-free CNIB Helpline: CNIB Contacts & Resources