HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2005-02-02, Page 7News
CNIB provides talking books for Seaforth
woman with macular degeneration
By Susan Hundertmark
Expositor Editor
While Antje Veldhuis can still see well
enough to get around the Seaforth Manor
with her walker, macular degeneration
has affected her eyesight enough that she
has had to give up one of her favourite
pastimes - reading novels.
"I can still see some letters but I can't
make words out of them. I miss reading
but I'm not bored. I'm an optimistic lady
and I have other things I can do," she
says.
Macular degeneration is the most
common cause of severe vision loss in
Canada, especially among the elderly.
The disease involves the macula, a
small pea-sized spot on the retina, which
is responsible for us being able to see
details and colours in the central part of
our vision. If the macula is diseased, the
result is blurry central vision and loss of
details.
"Everything is smoky and foggy now.
I can't see things clearly anymore,
especially when it's a dark day. Dark
days I hate," says Veldhuis.
While Veldhuis started to wear reading
glasses in her 40s, she didn't start to
notice any of the symptoms of macular
degeneration until she was 80.
Antje Veldhuis
And, even though macular
degeneration can develop slowly,
Veldhuis's eyesight "went downhill fast"
after she was diagnosed several years
ago.
"The doctor said he could not help me
anymore," she says.
When she eats a meal, Veldhuis needs
some description of what is on her plate
and she needs help dialing phone
numbers and operating her tape recorder.
But, she is enjoying books on tape
including her Bible, provided by the
Canadian National Institute for the Blind
(CNIB) along with tapes of choral music
and hymns.
"I like nice music that you can sit back
and listen to. You don't have to use your
eyes to enjoy it," she says.
She also received a talking clock for
Christmas.
'The CNIB helps a lot," she says.
The CNIB has over 180 clients in
Huron County, 24 of whom are in
nursing homes. The majority of CNIB
clients are seniors, with 87 per cent over
the age of 60.
All registered clients have access to
the world's largest "talking book"
library.
Other services provided to CNIB
clients locally are technical aids that
allow people who are losing their
eyesight to maintain as much of their
independence as possible including self -
threading needles, talking clocks, large
print calendars, cheque -writing tools
with signature -line guides and
magnifiers of all grades and strengths.
The CNIB's local crocus fundraiser is
happening Feb. 3 at Seaforth Community
Hospital and Clinton Public hospital and
on Feb. 5 at the Zehr's in Goderich.
Second Mitchell ice surface would be
welcomed, say Seaforth arena reps
While some West Perth
councillors are concemed that a
second ice pad in Mitchell
would hurt surrounding arenas,
such as Seaforth's, both
Seaforth arena's manager and
its arena board chair have no
such worries.
"I can't see it really affecting
us. The majority of our ice
rentals are local minor sports
teams and we're maximized for
ice time," said Seaforth arena
manager Dale Lamont Monday.
West Perth Coun. Walter
McKenzie, representing
Hibbert, expressed concem at a
recent Mitchell council meeting
that a second ice pad in
Mitchell would "kill the
Seaforth arena."
West Perth council is
currently considering an
expansion of Mitchell's arena,
including a second ice pad, four
more dressing rooms and a
lifestyle centre.
McKenzie said a lot of
people from Mitchell use the
Seaforth arena for sports like
broomball.
But, Mike Kelly, Seaforth
arena board chair, agrees with
Lamont that a second ice pad at
the Mitchell arena wouldn't
hurt Seaforth's arena.
"We got some good solid
programs in place and there
aren't that many Mitchell
people using our ice now," he
said, adding that Seaforth's
arena is averaging 70 hours of
booked ice time a week.
Kelly said he sees a second
ice pad in Mitchell creating
more opportunities for local
people to play winter sports.
" 1 think it's good news," he
said.
Both Lamont and Kelly said
the major user at Seaforth arena
is Seaforth minor hockey,
which can't get all of its ice
time now in Seaforth and rents
ice time in Brussels and
Hensall.
"We're looking at making the
ice season longer because
minor hockey wants to start
sooner and we're going to
oblige them," he said.
Lamont added that all of
Seaforth's prime ice time is
now being used but that
Seaforth's figure skating club
has also indicated it would use
more ice time if any became
available.
While some broomball
players come from Mitchell,
Lamont said broomball only
rents eight hours a week in ice
time in Seaforth.
"I don't think they'd move
but if they did, it might open up
more time for minor hockey,"
he said.
Kevin Williamson, president
of Seaforth minor hockey, said
he'd welcome a second ice pad
in Mitchell if it provided the ice
time he can't get in Seaforth.
"We're already using ice time
in Clinton, Hensall and Brussels
and Mitchell isn't any further
away. It gives us another
option," he said.
By Susan Hunderhnark
THE HURON EXPOSITOR, Feb. 2. 2005-7
Suffering from a sore back, joints or muscles?
No Family doctor?
Time to try
Physiotherapy
Call for an assessment
527-1551
Located at the Seaforth Medical Centre
Physician referrals not required
•
IRWIN PHYSIOTHERAPY
Most Services covered by WSIB, Auto Insurance
or Extended Health Benefits.
NOTICE OF
ANNUAL MEETING
The 129th Annual Meeting of the Members
will be held in the
HEAD OFFICE
of
McKillop Mutual
Insurance Company
91 Main Street South, SEAFORTH, Ontario
on
Wed., February 23, 2005
at 1:30 p.m.
• To receive and dispose of the 2004 financial
statement and auditor's report:
• To appoint Auditors;
• To elect three qualified Directors for a term of three
years;
• To consider amendments to By -Laws #
(33) Remuneration
(53) Adjustments and Settlement of Claims
• To transact any other business that may properly
come before the meeting;
• The retiring Directors are Eric Anderson, Jeff
Campbell, and Brad Camochan. Jeff Campbell and
Brad Camochan are eligible for re-election;
• Any qualifying policyholder wishing to seek
election must file their intention to stand for election
in writing with the Secretary of the Company at least
seven days in advance of the Annual Meeting
(by1:30 p.m. February 16, 2005.)
(By -Law No. 21 (d) ). Ken Jones
Secretary -Treasurer -Manager
You want them to live a long and happy life.
Don't forget they want the same for you.
Every year, thousands of Ontarians stop smoking.
For themselves. For their families. For life.
You can too. So set your quit date. And for help,
call Smokers' Helpline: 1-877-513-5333.
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