THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, July 26, 1996 TAG: 9607250179
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 15 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Pam Starr
LENGTH: 87 lines
Olga Caruana surprised even herself when she raised $4,000 in only three months for a Closed Circuit Television that magnifies text, photos and graphics for visually impaired residents of Russell House, a low-income retirement community.
Legally blind for five years because of macular degeneration, Caruana started using a CCTV several months ago. It helped her so much that she wanted other visually impaired residents at the First Colonial facility to enjoy one, too.
``I wrote to eye doctors in the area, then expanded to friends and business associates,'' said the soft-spoken Caruana, who lives with her husband, Charlie. ``Everyone has been so nice to me. It didn't take long at all - I couldn't believe it.''
Within three months, Caruana had raised the needed money. Because of her hard work, 14 other visually impaired residents are able to read books and personal letters, look at photographs, pay bills and write checks with an Optelec CCTV.
The administrator and residents of Russell House were so excited with the gift that they held a reception this month upon the CCTV's arrival. A long table laden with all sorts of goodies and punch went ignored as the residents stood in clusters around the CCTV.
Optician Charles Goldman, who delivered the equipment, explained how it worked.
``The unit can magnify text and graphics up to 80 times its normal size,'' he said, as a resident placed her grandson's photograph on the slide table and watched it pop into the screen. ``Most people with vision impairment use one-third the capacity of the machine.''
Lillian Kingsley, legally blind for three years, sat enthralled in front of the CCTV as she read a brochure.
``Oh, this is great,'' she exclaimed. ``For the past three years, everyone has had to read to me. I haven't read a decent book in three years. This will make me more independent.''
She reluctantly relinquished her seat of honor and watched as Mary Eubanks tried out the CCTV. Eubanks, who has glaucoma and macular degeneration, was equally thrilled.
``I'm going to clip articles out and personal letters,'' she said. ``This is just going to be terrific.''
Harriet Flannery, a resident who is not visually impaired, had come down to the lobby to see how the machine worked.
``Olga had the foresight to think that others could use this,'' said Flannery, giving Caruana a hug. ``She knows what it meant to her. This is the sort of thing we should be doing for ourselves - it might encourage others to do so, too.''
Caruana, a diminutive brunette with a shy demeanor, shrugged off the praise. This was the first time the mother of three and grandmother of seven had ever tried to raise money.
``This proves that people still care and still love each other,'' she said. ``I'm just so happy we reached this point.''
If you've ever thought about taking care of the elderly - and getting paid for it - you might want to check into the city's Comprehensive Mental Health Services training course this September.
Respite Care for the Elderly Program trains Virginia Beach residents 18 and older who are interested in becoming caregivers. Classes will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sept. 6, 18, 23, 25, 30 and Oct. 1, 7 and 8 at the Central Library.
After completing the 35 hours of training, caregivers will be assigned to Virginia Beach families to help them care for their elderly family members, according to program director Pat Craven. The hours are flexible, and caregivers will be paid. There is a $10 charge for the continuing education credits given by Tidewater Community College at the completion of the program.
Call Craven at 437-6115 if you are interested in attending the training program. Registration began July 22.
The AARP chapters have several trips planned this fall. The Kempsville chapter is going to Smithfield on Sept. 18 to tour Sears Roebuck catalog-ordered homes, take a boat trip along the James and Appomattox rivers and eat lunch at historic Weston Manor. The cost is $51 per person. Contact Julie Mullarney at 490-1316.
A Fall Foliage tour of the Blue Ridge Mountains is being planned Oct. 15 by the Princess Anne chapter. The cost is $58. The trip will include lunch at Graves Mountain Lodge, apple picking and a visit to Montpelier. Call Dorothy Green for more information at 467-3441.
And the Lynnhaven chapter is going back to the site of the First Thanksgiving at Berkley Plantation on the James River in November for $51, which includes a Thanksgiving feast in the style of Pilgrims and a tour of the plantation and gardens. Call Barbara Earnhardt at 496-3714. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by D. KEVIN ELLIOTT
Olga Caruana, rear, shows Mary Eubanks how to use the Closed Circuit
Television Set at Russell House. Both women are legally blind. by CNB