Often, we just see dogs as just pets. When a person is blind, a dog not only can become one’s pet, but it also becomes one’s eyes. Learn in this blog how a dog named Regatta found her purpose in life and found a forever mom, Nahseam. Also, learn how Goodwill Easterseals Miami Valley’s upcoming McCormick Vision Resource Fair 2022 can help provide services to enhance one’s independence. Enjoy Nahseam’s story as she serves as guest-blogger from her dog’s perspective.
Shari
My journey began even before I knew my mission in life.
My name is Regatta. I was born on December 21, 2014. My siblings and I were destined to be on a path, with a purpose. From the time I was a wee little puppy, I’ve been wearing a little vest letting the world know I’m a very special Dog. On September 12, 2016 my whole life was completely changed, I was paired with my forever mom!
My mom Nahseam and I graduated from Guide Dog for The Blind on September 26, 2016. My mom Nahseam was diagnosed with a very rare form of RP (Retinitis Pigmentosa). Up to this point, she did not realize the extent of services available in our community. Her greatest concerns about such a mind-blowing diagnosis were how was she going to maintain her independence, how was she going to continue working and living independently, how was she going to orient and mobilize effectively in her community, as well as her travels.
Well, my mom received an answer to her prayer and was paired with an amazing team that helped to support, train, and encourage her in maintaining her independence. Opportunity for Ohioans as well as Goodwill Easterseals Miami Valley were pivotal to her success. She received orientation and mobility training, an extensive training on assistive/ rehab technology, as well as ADL and braille training. The community offers a vast variety of services that will help to support, encourage independence for blind and visually impaired individuals.
I am making a call to action: Please come and join me and my mom on September 22, 2022 from 9:00 AM until 1:00 PM at the Eichelberger Conference Center located at Goodwill Easterseals Campus, 660 S. Main Street, Dayton, Ohio 45402 to learn about resources available in our community with more than 20 vendors from technology, educational, recreational, and informational focuses. My mom said she is very happy to announce the following vendors, topics, events, and speakers that are listed below:
Educational and Informational Speakers
- Assistive Technology and Smartphone- Doug Beitzel (10-10:45 AM)
- Low Vision and your health- Nahseam Brown (11-11:45 AM)
Events available to the public:
- Basic vision screening by Prevent Blindness Ohio
Vendors:
- GESMV Prevention
- GESMV ADS
- Radio Reading Services
- Matter of Balance
- Opportunity for Ohioans with Disabilities
- NFB
- We Care Arts
- Enhanced Vision
- Aggrability OSU
- Dayton Metro Library
- Pilot Dogs
- My Blindness and Me Support Group
- Area Agency On Aging
- AT Ohio
- RTA
- ACILS
- Prevent Blindness Ohio
- AIM
- Freedom Scientific
- Lions Eye Bank
- Kettering Health Community Outreach
- Eschenbach
- Universal Vision Technology
- Beyond Vision Arts
Looking forward to seeing you there. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Goodwill Easterseals Miami Valley at (937) 528-6340.
Lots of paws, Regatta