I'm Back.

Since we last communicated, a lot has happened. I am now the Executive Director for an agency which helps visually impaired adults and children. 

In so many ways, my appointment was the fulfillment of a personal promise. You see, my Nana suffered with Macular Degeneration in the last two decades of her life. At the time, she was a widow, living alone in the same home she had located to from the Bronx back in 1949, first as a mother, stepmother, wife, sister and then grandmother and great-grandmother.

Thanks to several non profits, you see there was no single agency available to assist people with blindness in her community, she was able to receive the services that enabled her to remain in her home until she was no longer able to care for herself. While we were grateful for the help of many, it was difficult to have to depend on one agency for medical transportation, another for assistive devices, and still others for home-based services. Thankfully, my agency provides comprehensive services for people of all agencies and we partner with others to address food insecurity and other problems which people with disabilities face each day.  

Why is this important? Because in NY, almost 400,000 people have vision loss, 55% of them are female and 44% are 65 and above. Since Baby Boomers make up a large share of the general population and they are now graduating into this age segment, the need for services will continue to grow. Yet, the current administration does not value the work of the non profit and agencies such mine will continue to face funding challenges. 

It is important to support the community-based non profits who ensure the dignity and independence of our most vulnerable population. Before you donate your time or money, check Guide Star to see how much of your donation goes to direct services. Since our agency does not charge for our services, and the governmental funding does not cover the cost for providing them, we are the type of agency where your money would be most needed.