| The Consumer Vision January/February, 2011 Address: 359 Coggeshall St., New Bedford, MA 02746 Telephone: 508-994-4972 Web Site: www.consumervisionmagazine.com Email Address: bobbranco93@gmail.com Publisher: Bob Branco Editor: Janet Marcley Braille Production: Perkins Braille and Talking Book Library CD Production: Bob Zeida Cassette Production: Audible Local Ledger, Sherry Bergeron Email Production: Bob Branco and Janet Marcley Print Production: Alpha Graphics Board of Directors: Clement Beaulieu, Darryl Breffe, Steve Brown, Lauren Casey, Dan Germano, Ken Sylvia and Gail Teixeira I am pleased to inform all of you that the Consumer Vision is
officially a If you would like to subscribe to the Consumer Vision six times a year, please email bobbranco93@gmail.com or call our office at 508-994-4972, and we will discuss which format you want to receive. The Consumer Vision is available in print, Braille, cassette, CD and email. We are also accepting monetary donations to help keep Consumer Vision running. If you would like to contribute, please make your check payable to Consumer Vision and send it to Bob Branco, c/o Consumer Vision, 359 Coggeshall St., New Bedford, MA 02746. We will accept money orders and checks, but we do not accept credit cards. The Consumer Vision would also like to establish a readers forum, which will consist of responses by our readers to material published in past issues of Consumer Vision. If you have a question or a comment about a previous article, please email bobbranco93@gmail.com. Note: For searching purposes, three asterisks (***) have been inserted just before the beginning of each new article or section. *** Humanitarian of the Year Honored *** Humanitarian of the Year Honored The Consumer Vision is proud to pick its Humanitarian of the
Year for 2010. My nomination is Mary Lou Washburn of Oklahoma City, OK. She drives people around to doctor appointments, grocery shopping trips and other errands. Sometimes she reads for blind people who need it. She grew up with blind parents, and, she has a blind husband. So, she knows about the challenges that blind people face. The people she helps usually pay her a nominal fee to cover the gas. Don Hansen *** Something for Stevie I tried not to be biased in hiring a handicapped person, but his
placement I wasn't worried about most of my trucker customers because
truckers don't The four-wheeler drivers were the ones who concerned me - the
mouthy college I knew those people would be uncomfortable around Stevie so I
closely After that, I really didn't care what the rest of the customers
thought of Our only problem was convincing him to wait to clean a table
until after the He took pride in doing his job exactly right, and you had to
love how hard they had fallen between the cracks. Money was tight, and what I paid him was probably the difference between their being able to live together and Stevie's being sent to a group home. That's why the restaurant was a gloomy place that morning last August, the first morning in three years that Stevie missed work. He was at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester getting a new valve or something put in his heart. His social worker said that people with Downs Syndrome often had heart problems at an early age so this wasn't unexpected, and there was a good chance he would come through the surgery in good shape and be back at work in a few months. A ripple of excitement ran through the staff later that morning
when word He grinned. "OK, Frannie, what was that all about?" he asked. "We just got word that Stevie is out of surgery and going to be okay." "I was wondering where he was. I had a new joke to tell him.
What was the "Pony Pete asked me what that was all about," she said, "so I
told him about That was three months ago. Today is Thanksgiving, the first day
Stevie is I led them toward a large corner booth at the rear of the room.
I could feel As he picked it up, two $10 bills fell onto the table. Stevie
stared at the *** The Working Blind The following are success stories of blind people hard at work
at their Bob, Jean Marcley, Brenda, Arizona *** How My Trip to Lourdes has Strengthened My
Catholic Faith By Karen Crowder On June 3, I attended a funeral and met a former classmate from
Perkins. We Her comforting words stayed with me, "We do pray for the people
on the The next eleven days, I put this conversation in the back of my
mind, I was "This is Kathleen, and there is a seat on the plane to
Lourdes." I thought She was delighted to have me stay at her house the nights of the
23 and 30 By Monday, June 21, this journey was taking on a life of its
own. I was I was happy to speak with Marlene, our sweet, dynamic group
leader. She I told everyone about my trip, feeling drawn to Lourdes like a
magnet. When I met my friendly seat-mate, Denise, from New Hampshire. As we flew she fascinated me with stories about her trips to
Europe. She Marlene was at our gate, smiling, saying, "Even if Joe could not
come, he I met a family from Maryland, their daughter urging them to go
to At four thirty we all went through enhanced security, this being
an Linda was my seat-mate, we had a delightful flight. We
appreciated the thin We landed at the quiet Charles De Gaul Airport and booming
speakers We made our connecting flight to Peau and it was at this airport
I As we entered our hotel in Lourdes I heard singing and
clapping. Our Our first meal was good fish, mashed potato soup and a light desert. Half asleep I met my roommate and friend, Mary. She is
from West Germany. Father Mike gave an uplifting homily about the Sacrament of
Reconciliation Saturday my roommate Mary awakened me. "Saint Anthony
found your luggage!" After lunch we went to learn about the life of Saint Bernadette
It was hot, Marleen would give us a short lecture; we would learn Bernadette
had If you want to know more about this organization call Our Lady
of Lourdes *** |
A Woman with Patience and Determination
THIS TIME JUSTICE DID PREVAIL
by John Justice
Linda Heskell Justice graduated from Overbrook School for the Blind in
1972.
In an effort to pursue her dream of being a broadcaster, she
attended
Keystone Junior College and then Williamsport Area Community
College. She
graduated with an Associate Degree in
Broadcasting. Although Linda did hold
several jobs at small community
radio stations, she was never able to secure
a position which could provide
a reasonable level of income.
Although she was disappointed, Linda decided to turn her attention to
other
pursuits. Using her communication skills, she worked for the
Bradford
County Planning Commission and for a local contractor, handling
phones and
delivering messages. She eventually secured a position
with DuPont in her
home town of Towanda. Unfortunately, the job she
was given was based on the
company's efforts to meet Title 20 affirmative
action goals. The position
had no future and eventually Linda
resigned. Once again, in spite of her
best intentions, society's refusal to
accept her as a blind woman led them
to limit her duties and place her in a
job which had no potential for growth
or promotion.
In spite of her setbacks, Linda believed in her ability and personal
value
as an employee. She was determined to find meaningful work, no matter
what
lengths she had to go to. Many of her classmates suffered the
shock of
being exposed to the sighted world which was unwilling or unable
to accept
visually impaired men and women, regardless of their intelligence
or
abilities. Linda would not allow herself to take the easy road of
a limited
existence, supported by Supplemental Security income or by some
other form
of government-sponsored benefit. Many times she would tell
her parents and
friends that she refused to let that happen.
In 1979, at the direction of her state rehabilitation counselor,
Linda
traveled to Littlerock, Arkansas, and took classes in a personnel
interviewing course offered by Arkansas Enterprises for the Blind.
Although
she completed her work satisfactorily, the training provided no
guaranty of
placement and, in fact, locating work of that kind, was
difficult. She
finally secured a position with a major personnel agency and
was just
settling in, when all of her equipment was stolen. The state
had provided
the typewriter, Optacon and other devices but when they were
lost, her
counselor refused to replace them. Her employer told her
that without the
equipment, no position was available. Once again,
Linda was back to Square
One. Did she give up? No, not at
all.
Linda moved to Hatboro, Pennsylvania, and soon became Mrs. Linda
Justice.
She became an integral part of Panama Productions, our small
entertainment
business. She contacted nightclub owners, restaurateurs
and agents,
scheduled performance dates and encouraged her new husband to
expand on his
musical abilities until he became a well-rounded
entertainer.
At the same time, Linda resumed working with the Bureau for Blindness
and
Visual Services, trying to find that illusive position which would make
the
best use of her considerable ability and skill. She worked
briefly for
Prudential in the early eighties but once again, the state had
secured a
position but the employer made no serious effort to support Linda
or allow
for her special needs as a visually impaired person.
For several years, Linda was a seasonal employee of the Internal
Revenue
Service, working in the Criminal Investigations
Division. Her work ended
there when the entire department was phased
out.
Finally, in 1994, Linda went for a walk and found that a huge ditch had
been
excavated right through the sidewalk. Pictures of her and her
guide dog
standing at the brink of a ditch measuring four feet in depth
were carried
by every major newspaper in the neighborhood. The Home
Depot was building a
new store in the area and Linda decided to turn a near
disaster into an
employment opportunity. She went to the trailer
where potential employees
were being interviewed, presented herself, and
offered her services as a
switchboard operator. Linda had been
trained on the switchboard by Lucy
Boyle, one of the best people in the
business. She loved working the school
switchboard at Overbrook and
spent many an hour on weekends handling calls
and school visitors.
Her determination made it possible for Linda to
finally secure a position
with The Home Depot. She is still working for
that retail store now
and has been there for more than sixteen years.
The duties of the switchboard operators changed not long after she
had
joined The Home Depot and the telephone personnel were expected to be
able
assist callers by looking up product availability in the store.
Linda made
management aware of the need for a computer system adapted for
use by the
visually impaired. The company was reluctant, to say the
least, because of
the cost involved in creating such a program. But
her persistence finally
bore fruit. She was taken to Atlanta and
trained on the specially developed
system which made it possible for her to
perform all of the new duties
expected of her.
Linda learned that few people at The Home Depot had any knowledge or
experience in knowing how to deal with physically handicapped employees and
customers. She wrote a manual called Disability Awareness and portions
of
that manual became a permanent part of The Home Depot's employee
handbook.
In addition, Linda taught classes on the same subject to newly
hired
employees until the store relocated in 2006.
The Home Depot's computer system changed so much that her adapted
equipment
no longer functioned but in 2011, Linda will begin training on a
newly
upgraded computer package. Once again, her determination
encouraged the
company to begin designing a new system for her use.
This author has met many visually impaired people but none has
shown more
perseverance or strength of personality than his wife, Linda
Heskell
Justice. She has overcome double knee replacements, job
failures,
disappointments and disasters and does not know the meaning
of the word
quit.
John and Linda Justice
with Guide Dogs Jake and Zachary
Personal e-mail:
***
***
Coastline Elderly Nutrition News
Kimberly Ferreira, MS, RD, LD
Coastline Elderly Services, Inc.N
EATING FOR A HEALTHY HEART
Heart Health is largely promoted and emphasized in the month of
February.
There are many risk factors that can contribute to heart disease
including
genetics, diet, activity level and stress. It can be a bit
overwhelming so
it's important to tackle one goal at a time.
Eat more Fiber including more of the following in your diet:.
Decrease your Total Fat intake by:
Decrease your Saturated and Trans Fat intake by:
Limit Sodium by:
Lower your Cholesterol intake by:
Achieve & maintain a desirable Body Weight by:
Please contact me with any questions at (508) 999-6400 x194 or email
ksferreira@coastlineelderly.org
***
Fear and Loathing with SRTA
by Steve Brown
The Italian dictator Mussolini gets a "bad rap" from today's
historians.
After all, it was he who led Italy into Hitler's axis embrace
in World War
II, and from there, on to defeat and devastation. But he
did two really
good things - he nearly destroyed the Mafia in Italy, and
succeeded in
getting the trains and busses to run on time. Concerning
transportation, we
need some of his forceful examples in Greater New
Bedford's Southeast
Transit Authority (SRTA).
Our transit problem began with a seemingly wonderful offer: Free
bus fare
for the months of June, July and August. For myself, that
meant $120 in
summer savings. In my mind, I had spent the money
already. But, the road
to "you know where" was paved with good
intentions - no good deed goes
unpunished.
Everything began just fine, but soon changed. One-third filled
busses
became two-thirds filled, and then filled to capacity. Soon it
became
standing room only! With the increased number came, shall we
say, a
different type of clientele. Large groups of teenagers taking
long-distance
rides, mainly to get free sundaes at Friendly's, mixed with
the
psychologically challenged and just plane drunk. Human body order
became
more and more obvious. With little space to sit or stand, I
frankly became
uncomfortable. Crowd trouble began to develop boarding
the busses, and the
police suddenly appeared at the station. Finally,
busses could no longer
keep up with the demand, and suddenly did not make
stops at appointed
locations and times. For me, this meant standing
around for an extra 40
minutes several times. Even this was not
consistent - you just did not
know. Finally, this
generous-program-turned-near-catastrophe ended on the
last day of June.
But problems were not to end for me and others. Now we have the
Market
Basket fandango. Two bus lines I take to do volunteer work
changed their
routes - all to serve the clients of this store. SRTA
did not properly
alert the public to the change - no new printed schedule
was made available.
I began to understand the new routes when that bus no
longer stopped at a
location I was used to, and I had to take a cab after
waiting for 40
minutes. To cope with these changes, the gentleman I
do volunteer work for
and I decided to split my cab fare to the bus
station. The first time we
tried it, it rained and I was threatened
with an hour's wait for a cab. (I
finally walked six blocks for a bus
and had to flag a cab.) Also, this
change triggered a new period of
transit unreliability - busses did not show
up at designated times, or
arrived very late. Unfortunately, I may have to
give up volunteering
or sharply curtail it. SRTA has demonstrated gross
insensitivity to
me and others. A more thoughtful approach to unheralded
and
ill-considered "innovation" would be appreciated.
***
How Santa Came to Little Rock, Arkansas
By
Lucille Burkhardt
Many years ago, a plan was devised as to how Santa would get to Little
Rock.
Since it receives no snow on Christmas Eve, Santa had many
helpers: dogs,
mules, horses and the like. Finally it was
decided that, since Santa couldn't
use reindeer and a sleigh, he used a
covered wagon to carry his heavy load.
The children were still as surprised
and grateful. All kinds of vittles
were left for Santa: fried
chicken, black-eyed peas, greens, okra, and
everyone's favorite, sweet
potato pie. After all, pulling this wagon was
hard work. Boy,
was Santa grateful! Occasionally, he enjoyed a little
Mountain Dew,
but not during working hours. His other most favorite drink
was hot
apple cider. Not knowing when the rain would come, he and his crew
always came prepared for it. So, if your gifts arrive late, do not
fret
because Santa will never forget you.
Since Santa didn't have sleigh bells, he was always equipped with either
a
banjo or a guitar. The children still enjoyed sitting on Santa's
lap and
giving him their Christmas list. Some of them would still
sneak downstairs
to have a peak, but Santa never noticed. I must say,
the children received
some pretty nice gifts.
Christmas day was still filled with lots of joy, love and prayer.
The
Christmases following didn't change too much, except for the mode
of
transportation, the automobile.
***
What is a Rose? A rose is someone whose love, time, and strength
cannot be
measured. A rose is someone who does not prejudge.
Her pedals are as soft
and gentle as a warm summer rain. She is there
to protect through any
storm, no matter how great. Her heart is
bigger than the Earth. Her song
is sweet and pure. She will
forever be an eternal flame and a guiding light
to all who know and love
her. She'll also be our guardian angel protecting
us from life's
harm. Rose, we love and miss you very much, but we know your
job on
Earth is done. May you have a peaceful, safe flight into God's hands
and eternal house. May He eternally provide happiness to a person who
richly deserves it. Even though we have not known you for very long,
we've
always felt that you've been a part of us. You were like a part
of our
family.
***
Coastline Elderly Nutrition News
Kimberly Ferreira, MS, RD, LDN
Coastline Elderly Services, Inc.
EATING RIGHT IN THE NEW YEAR
With the new year upon us, it's important to remind ourselves of
basic
nutritional concepts that help us maintain an appropriate weight, a
balanced
diet and a healthy well-being.
1. Never Skip Breakfast. Try to eat within an hour of waking to
keep your
metabolism at its optimal level.
2. Stay Hydrated. Drink ~8 glasses of fluids daily to maintain
regularity,
beat fatigue and limit false hunger signals. Fluids
include coffee, milk,
juice, water, flavored waters, etc.
3. Limit Processed Foods. These foods tend to be higher in sugar,
fat and
sodium and contain less vitamins & minerals. This
includes prepackaged
foods, frozen dinners, cured meats and cheese.
4. Be Mindful of Portions. Each year, the portions we are served and
eat
continue to escalate. Examples of proper portion sizes are below.
5. Listen to Your Hunger Signals. It's a basic concept that most
people do
not follow: "Eat when you feel hunger, Stop when you feel
full."
6. Love Your Kitchen. Research has shown time and time again that
cooking
from home is usually more nutritious than eating out.
Portion Control Reminders
CUTTING CALORIES CORNER
Did you know?
1 plain English muffin = 2 grams fiber
vs.
Whole Wheat English muffin = 3.8 grams fiber
¾ cup Cornflakes cereal = 0.5 grams fiber
vs.
¾ cup wheat bran cereal = 5.1 grams fiber
½ cup apple juice = 0.1 grams fiber
vs.
1 medium whole apple = 3.7 grams fiber
Please contact me with any questions at (508) 999-6400 x194 or
email:
ksferreira@coastlineelderly.org
***
Chocolate is enticing, bars sit in store windows.
You pick up a thin long one feeling all the small squares,
Unwrapping it outside - should you eat it all now?
You feel the smooth sweet taste as it melts in your mouth.
There is the delicious temptation of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies
With small semi sweet morsels so tantalizing as they bake,
You can't wait to eat that first crunchy cookie - one is not enough;
If you do not stop half the cookie sheet may be gone.
Brownies with there delicious chocolate smell so good baking;
Dark chocolate cake is tempting on a birthday -
Your mom lovingly bakes it and you can't wait for that first piece,
Blowing out candles, one piece with creamy fudge frosting is all Mom
lets
you have.
There is the creamy- or gritty-tasting chocolate fudge cooked at Christmas -
It is so hard to eat just one or two squares; Mom says "that is enough."
Store-bought chocolate fudge is okay;
Home made fudge is easy using a microwave.
Now even doctors say chocolate is good for you.
It puts a smile on your face as you savor it.
They say you can have a little dark chocolate every day.
Chocolate is good year-round: hot chocolate or doughnuts in winter;
Cold milk shakes ice-cream in summer
***
Chopsticks on the Side
Marilyn Brandt Smith
In 2011 the Chinese New Year falls on February 3, about a month after
our
new year. It's the year of the rabbit, and they will start celebrating
two
weeks ahead of time with lanterns, presents, red envelopes containing
cash
for the kids, and games and feasting everywhere on the globe where
Chinese
traditions abound. We can celebrate with some Americanized Chinese
recipes.
Velly Fast, Velly Good
1 and 1/2 pounds lean ground beef
2 cups chopped onion
2 cups diced celery
1 teaspoon salt
1 can bean sprouts
1 can water chestnuts, chopped
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can cream of chicken soup
1/2 cup slivered almonds
4 cups cooked rice, egg noodles, or ramen noodles
Brown meat and onion until meat is crumbly. Stir with all other
ingredients
into large oven pan. Heat uncovered 30 to 40 minutes in a 325
degree oven.
Serves eight. Refrigerates well, and tastes even better the next time
it's
warmed.
----------
Cantonese Spareribs
2 to 3 pounds spareribs, cut into manageable pieces
1 tablespoon salt
1 teaspoon powdered ginger
1/2 teaspoon powdered garlic
1/3 cup soy sauce
1 tablespoon sugar
2 ounces white wine or whiskey if desired
1/2 cup apricot jam
Parboil ribs and drain well.
Rub with salt.
Marinade for 1 hour in remaining ingredients.
Line baking dish with heavy foil.
Place ribs and marinade in dish, and bake at 350 degrees for 45 to
60
minutes, reserving part of the marinade for basting from time to time.
If
the top begins to brown, cover with foil.
Serves about four.
----------
Chinese Salad
2 cups bean sprouts
1 and 1/2 cups celery, thinly sliced
1 cup radishes, thinly sliced
1 cup unpeeled cucumbers, thinly sliced
1 green pepper in thin rings
2 raw carrots, sliced thin
3 green onions, sliced thin
French dressing
Soy sauce
Combine the vegetables in a salad bowl, moisten with French dressing,
then
season with soy sauce to taste.
Toss and serve.
Serves six.
----------
Fruit and Chicken Chinese Delight
2 cups cooked diced chicken
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 cup diced fresh apple
1 cup orange sections
1/2 cup pineapple spears
2 cups chopped celery
lettuce leaves
Dressing:
6 tablespoons plain low-fat yogurt
5 tablespoons mayonnaise
4 tablespoons milk
1 tablespoon sugar to taste
1/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
Toss chicken and soy sauce. Let stand fifteen minutes.
Mix fruit with celery, then add chicken. Mix well, and chill.
Blend dressing.
Arrange fruited chicken salad on lettuce leaves, and drizzle with dressing.
Serves six.
----------
Ming Almond Cookies
2 and 1/2 cups flour
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 cup butter or margarine
1 egg
2 tablespoons water
1and 1/2 teaspoons almond extract
Sift dry ingredients. Blend in margarine or butter. Add egg, water, and extract.
Chill dough for two hours, then form into one-inch balls.
Place on a cookie sheet and make an indention with your thumb in each cookie.
Place a whole almond in each indentation.
Brush lightly with beaten egg white.
If you like, when you brush with egg white, you can also add some rum or almond extract.
Bake at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes.
Consumer Vision Trivia Contest
Here is the answer to the trivia question submitted in the
November/December
Consumer Vision.
Ray Parker Jr. was a member of the group "Radio." Congratulations to the following winner:
Jan Colby of Brockton, Massachusetts
And now, here is your trivia question for the November/December Consumer Vision. Name the maid on the television series, The Jeffersons.
If you know the answer, please email bobbranco93@gmail.com or call 508-994-4972.
***