CityView Magazine

40 | March/April 2017 completely revitalize the program, more than doubling memberships, increasing the staff, adding movie-going events, out of town activities, visits to wineries, live theaters, museums and more. "It has changed my lifestyle completely," said Henderson, who had at first joined the center reluctantly, at the urging of a friend. Henderson, like countless other visually impaired residents, says that she spent much of her time before joining the program at home, with sparse interaction with the outside world. According to omas, one of the biggest challenges for people aer recently losing their vision is remaining social. "Close friends will treat it as if it is contagious, and just stop visiting or spending time with them," omas said. "ere is a stigma attached." For members like Henderson, the center is a gateway to the rest of the world. "I would not hesitate to recommend it to others," Henderson said. "You can ask anyone attending and they will automatically tell you how grateful they are for this service … In addition to exercise, we have been introduced to yoga classes and line-dancing. We go to the farmer's market and on boat rides, and last year, we went on a tour of Washington D.C. and the White House. We bowl now. We go to the theatre here and out of town. We attend shows at the Crown Coliseum, the winery and we go to independent living classes four to six weeks in the year. ey teach us how to clean house, cook without injuring ourselves, wash and dry our clothes, and they even teach us how to be careful in the house. e truth is, the opportunities we have are endless. We do everything that sighted people do." With membership increasing from 20 to almost 150 people, since omas took over seven years ago, the Vision Resource Center budget has become tighter and the need for volunteers has grown. ose interested in volunteering, donating or becoming members of the Vision Resource Center are urged to go to www.visionresourcecentercc.org. CV The center offers summer camps, youth programs, braille classes, healthy living programs that include yoga and other forms of exercise, arts and crafts activities, and van transportation to and from the center. Below: VRC Office Manager Alix Worrell, Amy Henderson & Terri Thomas

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