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BUILDING CONNECTIONS THROUGH FAMILIES Center for Deaf-Blind Persons, Inc. ANNUAL REPORT 2008 Message from the President Some days lately I’m afraid
to open the newspaper or to turn on the TV news—it seems daily we hear that
one or another of the largest and oldest American companies is filing for
bankruptcy, that the stock market is tumbling, that personal savings are
dwindling. The Center, of course, is
not immune from the turbulence in the economy, since so much of our funding
comes either from foundations, whose contributions tend to decrease when the
value of their assets decrease, and from programs sponsored by governments,
which have been finding themselves struggling with major deficits. And yet our supporters will
be pleased to know that the Center is weathering the financial storm. The superb staff at the Center excels at
providing the same high quality and level of service to our clients and their
families as always, but with just a little “nip” here and a little “tuck”
there to keep operations continuing on a lean basis. Speaking for the Board, I
would like to express our deep appreciation and gratitude for the continuing
level of excellence exhibited by our wonderful staff and many volunteers
during these difficult times, and also for the continuing support from our
many contributors, whose generosity has kept, and will continue to keep, the
Center on a strong foundation, willing and able to provide needed services to
our deaf-blind clients. Harvey Pogoriler President Message from the Executive Director What is a family? A unit and a place where you feel you
belong, where those around you believe in you and what you can
accomplish. Where you will always be
encouraged to achieve your dreams, and where people will also nurture you and
help you to grow. A place where you
are safe and where you can be accepted for who you are. To many of the individuals who participate
through the social group W.I.S.H. (With Impaired Sight and Hearing) and the
training programs offered through the Center, that is what we have
become—family. Going beyond our
function as an agency and peer network, we realize a true sense of a family
community. Participants find
friendships and sometimes something much more. For some, their lives can be
rather isolated. Limitations in the
ability to communicate affect established relationships with family members
and impact on the ability to develop new friendships. Lack of skills, such as appropriate social
etiquette or the ability to independently travel, may limit activities and
bonds within the community. Through
both the Center’s training and the Support Service Provider Service,
individuals are given support and access to the community. Individuals and their
families rely on the Center for information about services and programs
within and outside of the Center.
Many come to the Center not knowing where to turn for help and
resources. While others, who may be
more knowledgeable, rely on the Center for strength and for advocacy to
ensure that their loved one is making informed choices and has access to
services needed for self-sufficiency. To the clients, families,
and long-time volunteers who have made the Center an active part of their
lives, we are proud to be here to serve your needs and are pleased that you
allow us to be a part of your lives and your family. To all that support our programs and give
both time and financial resources, we wholeheartedly thank you from our
family to yours. Paulette Monthei Executive Director MEET OUR CLIENTS IleneIlene is a 45 year-old woman
who is legally blind due to congenital cataracts and retinal detachments and
tears. Ilene has a severe to profound
hearing loss, mild cerebral palsy, and mild developmental delays. Ilene lives alone in her own
apartment. Due to her combination of
disabilities, Ilene and her family have worked with a variety of different
agencies over the years to help Ilene achieve this level of independence. Both Ilene and her sister, Patty, recently
expressed that their experience with the Center for Deaf-Blind Persons has
been particularly positive. In Ilene’s words: At the Center, I get a lot of help with
communication, so I am able to better understand things. When I work with other agencies, sometimes
they don’t explain things to me clearly.
The Center also helps me communicate with other agencies and
people. I also learned from the
Center how to get a point across instead of just talking. I would say that clear communication is
the biggest difference because they understand my needs and show me how I can
see it, how I can use it, how I can work with it according to my hearing,
sight, and physical movement. At the
Center, the staff keeps me moving and going and somebody is working with me
all the time. In Patty’s words: The Center is made up of caring people who
tailor services to meet the individual and unique needs of clients. There is personalized attention through
many one-on-one classes. Phone calls
are returned quickly, and often after business hours. They are very team-oriented and provide
assistance that most other agencies don’t, including impeccably good
communication, collaboration, advocacy, trustworthiness, and love for their
clients and families. Staff, clients,
and clients’ families are like an extended family. There are seven agencies working with Ilene and me but only the
Center understands and tries to accommodate all of Ilene’s needs. Center personnel have also
guided me when needed so that I knew how best to advocate for Ilene. I would
definitely recommend the Center to others who have a family member with both
vision and hearing loss. The staff
and volunteers at the Center are a real treasure! From the Staff: One of Ilene’s greatest
successes over the past year has been in the area of home organization. Ilene wanted to keep her apartment neat
and clean, but was frequently overwhelmed.
In addition, due to Ilene’s vision loss, she sometimes didn’t notice
things that needed to be done. It was determined that
distractibility is part of her disabilities and is a big factor in her
inability to keep her apartment organized.
With the SSP, Ilene developed a list of all of the household tasks
that needed to be completed regularly.
Ilene then determined how much time each task required and how much
time she had available for household duties each day. Ilene made a weekly
list of duties and was able to develop a schedule for each day of the week.
Ilene also worked with the SSP to reorganize her home, one room at a time. Together, they developed a method that was
functional for Ilene by selecting one item at a time, deciding whether to
keep, discard, recycle, or put the item where it would belong and then move
on to the next article. Though she
never complained, it was clear there were days when Ilene was irritated with
the process until the day she was frustrated because she couldn’t find her
hairbrush. The bathroom was a room
Ilene had not yet organized with the SSP.
Ilene typically would have given up looking for the brush or complained
to a friend or family member. This
time, Ilene took everything out of the dark cabinet under the sink and used
the methods she had learned with the SSP to organize the space. By the time the SSP arrived later that
day, Ilene had independently organized her bathroom area and located her lost
hairbrush. Not only did she see value
in what she was learning, she put her knowledge to use independently to solve
a problem. Due to this process, Ilene
has reduced her frustration and is able to scan a room visually to locate
items. Ilene no longer needs to refer
to a detailed task list and is very proud of the way she now keeps her home. RichardRichard is a single 65
year-old male with a profound bilateral sensorineural hearing loss. He has been deaf since an early age and
Sign Language is his primary mode of communication. Richard has glaucoma, described as “end-stage”, and as a result
over the past year he has had short periods of time when he lost his vision. In addition, Richard has diabetic neuropathy
that limits his ability to learn raised line or Braille communication
modes. Richard’s brother, Carson, and
his sister-in-law, Sharon, are his main support system, and neither has
learned to use American Sign Language.
Richard’s sister-in-law, Sharon: “The Center has definitely helped. Richard really prospers from his time
spent at the Center. It is comforting
to know the Center staff is there to support us if we have a problem or need
clarification. The Center helps us to
communicate with Richard to clarify information, which helps Carson and me
because Richard gets confused.” Richard’s brother,
Carson: “It is helpful to have the
Center staff facilitate communication between Richard and myself; sometimes
I’m impatient because I don’t understand Richard”. Carson and Sharon: “It has
meant so much to have the support and guidance of the Center staff during the
past year when Richard temporarily lost vision in his good eye. While Richard was blind and staying at our
house, the SSP came weekly to provide support services, and information for
not only Richard, but for us as well.
The SSP was tremendously helpful.” From the Staff:Over the years, the Center
has supported Richard with learning how to live with diabetes, find
employment, learn new methods of communication, and remain independent. Richard has attended a variety of classes
to help in the areas of communication, independent living, cooking, leisure, and
computer skills. As Richard has complications
due to his neuropathy, he cannot tactilely use his fingers to read Braille, a
raised alphabet card, or use the traditional Print-on-Palm method (a short
message is spelled out in the palm of the recipient’s hand using all capital
letters) as modes of communication.
Instead, a variation of Print-On-Palm is used—the instructor or family
member holds Richard’s index finger in a hand-over-hand approach and writes
each letter onto a smooth surface.
The kinesthetic movement allows Richard to decipher the messages more
readily. This method is the only
means of communication between his family and himself during the periods when
he temporarily loses all residual vision.
As a result of the
progressive eye condition, Richard is also learning tactile sign language to
prepare for the next time he may lose his vision temporarily or
permanently. While wearing a sleep
shade, Richard participates in tactile sign language classes and practices
receiving information through his hands only and without the additional aid
of facial expression and body movement to assist in context. As Richard is diabetic, his
plan has included lessons on learning how to regulate his blood sugar levels
by eating appropriate foods. Lessons
have focused on writing down food intake, counting carbohydrates, measuring
portion sizes, and learning how to read labels. Other independent living areas have focused on household
organization. Through regular SSP
visits to his home, Richard has established a weekly routine to sort through
and discard useless items and organize items he wishes to keep. Richard expresses his
creativity through the leisure program. He is very talented and takes great
pleasure working with his hands, and has completed numerous projects in
woodworking, leather crafts, painting, scrapbooking and gardening. Richard regularly participates in
W.I.S.H., often creating themed decorations for the event or celebration. In Richard’s words: “I
signed up way back, and I’ve been coming ever since. I have done so many projects it is hard to
pick a favorite”. Phyllis and Tony MemorialIt is with great sadness
that we report on the loss of two members of our Center family. Phyllis and Tony Wachowiak, the couple
featured in last year’s annual report, both passed away in 2009. Phyllis was a client who inspired us by
her perseverance and commitment to setting and achieving goals while living
with multiple chronic health conditions.
Following a lengthy hospital stay, Phyllis’s suffering ended on
February 13, 2009. Phyllis’s husband, Tony, was
also an integral member of our Center family. We got to know Tony through home visits, phone calls, and his
participation with Phyllis in the 25th anniversary of W.I.S.H. On May 18, 2009, after a short illness,
Tony passed away. We are grateful to
have known this wonderful couple and will miss them tremendously. Center ServicesFor many, the process of
acquiring rehabilitation training and independence can be a long and
frustrating course. Often there are
barriers beyond the sensory loss that the individual must overcome in order
to progress in their training program.
The Center provides services both at the Center’s comprehensive
teaching facility and in the home.
Some participants are not able to attend regular classes at our
location due to medical, transportation, or other reasons, so the Center
provides services in clients’ homes and surrounding community. Rehabilitation TrainingThe Center offers
individualized skills training in the following areas: - Alternative Communication - Adaptive Independent
Living - Adaptive Technology - Computer Training - Employment - Leisure - Orientation and Mobility Home-Based Services- Older Adults Services - Support Services Other Services- Accessible Web Site
Testing and Consultation - Consultations - Comprehensive
Information/Referral Services. - Futures Planning for
Transition Age Youth - Hands-on Demonstrations - Presentations - Public Education and
Technical Assistance - Support to Families - Weekly Support Group - With Impaired Sight and
Hearing (W.I.S.H.) Summary of DataThe Center serves
individuals who are totally deaf and blind or have varying degrees of
combined hearing and vision loss.
This year’s clients range in age from 16 to 100 and reside primarily
in the Greater Milwaukee Metropolitan Area.
The agency served 73 clients, at the Center and off-site, who received
one or multiple services. The Center
participated in hundreds of consultations and information/referral requests. Numerous individuals and organizations
gained heightened awareness of the needs and potential of persons who are
deaf-blind through presentations, workshops, exhibits, demonstrations and
tours of the Center.
In addition to the hours
noted in the chart, interpreters provided 186 hours to clients as an
essential component of the rehabilitation training program. The hours and percentages do not include
staff planning time, writing of reports and assessments, or preparation for
presentations and workshops. Board of Directors
DirectorsDr. Richard Brunkan William Holbrook Dr. Anthony Kuchan Dr. William Myers Linda R. Treland StaffJane Albrecht –
Rehabilitation Instructor
Alyssa Schauer – Specialist
in Deaf-Blind Services/ Community Support Service Provider
Twenty-Fifth Anniversary Celebration of W.IS.H. (With Impaired Sight and Hearing) The weather outside was
cloudy, bleak, and dismal, but that did not have any effect on the bright,
sunny, atmosphere inside. Forty-one
W.I.S.H. members and guests shared in the festive celebration honoring the
25th Anniversary of W.I.S.H., a social group started by Ruth Silver and
Juliette Welch in 1983. A delicious
lunch was served at the Hilton Inn-Milwaukee River. Guests and members arrived in fancy attire. Members had the opportunity
to reminisce and share their favorite W.I.S.H. memory as they received a
“silver” framed picture commemorating the event. Some of the photo memories included Daniel K. in a grass skirt
at the Hawaiian party with a large stuffed snake around his neck, John R. at
his surprise wedding shower held at the Center, and Lynn D. devouring ice
cream at the Milwaukee County Zoo. After lunch and a delicious anniversary cake made by talented staff member Lisa Crissey, clients shared their thoughts about the 25th anniversary party. Rob B. said, “I enjoyed all the little speeches, they were very meaningful and the gifts were very touching. The whole event was well put together. It was nice dressing up and the atmosphere at the hotel made the event extra special.” Tim A. commented, “I like chatting and making more new friends in W.I.S.H. clubhouse. At Christmas time I sometimes wear a Santa Claus costume, and I sing to members in ASL singing!!” Marco C. summed up the event in one word: “HOO-ray!” Ruth Silver smiled
throughout the party. Her search
twenty-five years ago to find others struggling with combined hearing-vision
loss led to W.I.S.H., where people have formed friendships, have
opportunities to communicate in sign language or other alternative methods,
and opportunities to go to a variety of community resources such as the zoo,
museum, and The Domes. Students in
sign language interpreting at MATC and UWM and community residents volunteer
to interpret and guide—making the 25th anniversary possible. VolunteersRobin Conn Bennett Connell Michelle Jaksic Jenny McKitrick Emily Paul Carol Pizon Alyssa Schauer David Schauer Marvin Silver Kim Todd Juliette Welch Stephanie Williams And numerous W.I.S.H.
volunteers and fieldwork students from the interpreter training programs at
Milwaukee Area Technical College and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Center for Deaf-Blind Persons, Inc. FOUNDATIONSAlbert J. and Flora H.
Ellinger Foundation, Inc. Alvin and Marion Birnschein
Foundation, Inc. Burmester Charitable Trust Charles D. Ortgiesen
Foundation, Inc. Clare M. Peters Charitable
Trust Dyar Foundation E. C. Styberg Foundation,
Inc. Emil Ewald Foundation, Inc. Evan and Marion Helfaer
Foundation Greater Milwaukee Foundation
Joan and Peter W. Bruce Lawlis Family Fund Green Bay Packers Foundation Heitz Family Foundation J. C. Meng Foundation, Inc. Jane Bradley Pettit
Foundation Janice and Raymond Perry
Community Fund, Inc. Klug Family Foundation Ladish Co. Foundation Lux Foundation Mae E. Demmer Charitable
Trust May and Stanley Smith Trust Melitta S. Pick Charitable
Trust Nicholas Family Foundation Northwestern Mutual Life
Foundation Patrick and Anna M. Cudahy
Fund Peck Foundation, Milwaukee
LTD PPC Foundation Quad Graphics, Inc. R. D. and Linda Peters
Foundation Rexnord Foundation, Inc. Saint John's Communities
Foundation, Inc. Schoenleber Foundation, Inc. Sensient Technologies
Foundation, Inc. The Kellogg Family
Foundation The ROS Foundation Thompson Foundation Weyco Group Charitable Trust Woman’s Club of Wisconsin
Foundation CIVIC ORGANIZATIONSFranklin Lioness Club Greendale Lions Milwaukee Lake Lions New Berlin Lioness Club Sussex Lions Club Thiensville Mequon Lions
Club Waukesha Evening Lions Club INDIVIDUALSJacqueline Bartelak John and Sharon Bremer Rhoda M. Beyer Edward M. and Helen Brady Marshall Flax Greater Milwaukee Combined
Federal Campaign James R. and Cathleen A.
Johnston Joyce D. Hammond Just Give Rev. William Key James and Mary Kuehn Wayne and Edna Lauderdale Carol A. McKenny Nancy C. Parey Joan Pendergast John Pershing Pick & Save "We
Care" Program Joan M. Schneider Ruth and Marvin Silver Marshall D. Stern Jo A. Swamp Virginia Toth United Way-Donor Options
Program Sheila Weiss Juliette M. Welch BUSINESSESIndustries for the Blind,
Inc. CHURCHESNorth Shore Congregational
Church IN MEMORY OF HARRY S. HOWLAND Mr. and Mrs. Walter Bock Mr. and Ms. A. Buric Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Doyle Mr. and Ms. R. Enochson Mr. G. Hawkes Mr. and Ms. W. Hofmann Ms. Shirley Kaepernick Ms. C. Larson Mr. and Mrs. Letko Mr. D. McArthur Mr. and Mrs. Henry Mueller Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Nelson Mr. and Mrs. Corydon Olson Mr. and Mrs. J. Petersen Mr. J. Reed Ms. Leona Ryan Ms. M.J. Saksa Mr. and Ms. E. Schneeweis Ms. Lucille Sorensen Mr. and Mrs. James Turk Mr. and Mrs. James Verhaeren Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Wolff The
Center for Deaf-Blind Persons, Inc. is a non-profit agency serving youth and
adults with combined hearing-vision loss. Tax deductible contributions or
bequests are deeply appreciated. 3195
South Superior Street Milwaukee,
WI 53207 Voice/TDD/TeleBraille:
414-481-7477 Fax:
414-481-7481 www.deaf-blind.org |
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