Sight Loss Monthly Newsletter March 2025

oralhull
Apr 8
7 min read

Our Mission Statement:

The mission of the Hull Foundation and Learning Center is to provide programs, facilities and services including social, educational, and recreational activities for people with blindness and sight loss.

*If you would prefer to receive this newsletter by email, or to unsubscribe, please call the Hull Foundation at 503.668.6195 or send an email to: oralhull@gmail.com

Hello from the Desk of the Executive Director

By Monica Butler

It seems like the days of 2024 have gone by so quickly. Being a part of the Hull Foundation family for almost seven years has been quite a journey. I have been blessed to meet many wonderful people, some by Zoom and some in person as we ventured out into the community and hosted new events at the Foundation. I am inspired by the stories I hear, and the laughter shared. I am also thankful for those of you who became members of the Hull Foundation. When we get a new member, I enjoy knowing that we are connected with another person who believes in our mission and is supporting this organization in our next adventures and activities. Many thanks to all of you and I hope you have a sunny and spring filled March.

Board of Directors 2025

Executive

President - Kerith Vance

Vice President – Chris Botcheos

Treasurer – Don Jageman

Secretary – Lisa Snider

Immediate past President – Tony Lewis

Board members

Kathleen Rogers

Welcome New Board Members!

Darlene Wiersig

Rebecca Piros

Vita Zavoli

Representative Board Members

Muriel Pagel – Clackamas District Garden Club

Hull Foundation Upcoming Events and Seminars:

March 12 One Day Fun Day – Timberline lodge
March 18 – 21 – Intro to Sight Loss Seminar
April 13 – 17 – Spring Fling Retreat
April 15 One day Fun day – Movie at the Mall
May 6 – 9 Arts & Hobbies Seminar
May 7 – One day Fun day – Oregon Trail Museum
May 31 Annual Tea Fundraiser at Oral Hull Park
June 1 – August 31st Summer Raffle Fundraiser
June 2 – 7th Friends and Alumni Retreat
June 4 – One day Fun day – Oaks Park fun day
June 28 Membership Pool Party & BBQ

Failure is the Learning Curve of Life, How to Get Back on Track- Part two

By Teresa Christian, Sight Loss Instructor

Regrouping

If you made a New Years resolution and/or goal for the year and you’re flagging, here’s a different way you might perhaps think about it.

Rewind and think back about why you wanted to do this. Is it something you’re doing because someone else pressured you into it? Is it something that you, deep down in your heart, want to do? Is it the outcome that is driving you?

If it is something you feel like you “should” do, then that might be at least in part, why your enthusiasm is waning. Yours, if it is something that you truly want to happen, that will push you forward and help you get past the perceived barriers.

Next, think about the things that seem like a barrier to you. Are they truly stopping you? Brainstorm ways around it, over it or under it. Just write it all down and as you’re doing this, no filtering or evaluating is allowed for this part. Crazy is better, how crazy did people think the Wright brothers were believing humans could fly like birds.

Next, take a break, our brains come up with solutions during recreation time, but the brain continues to percolate on it while you’re doing something else that relaxes you or that you find fun. Jim Kwik discusses this at great length in his book “Limitless.”

Come back to it in a few minutes, hours, or days. If this is important to you, it’s worth taking the time to get this sorted out.

Then go through each idea that came up during the brainstorming session. Now is when you get to evaluate the merit of each idea. Write down the pros and cons and let yourself think outside the box. Look at all the results and choose one and go after it. You’ll be glad you did.

Reading in the Dark Book Club

By Marja Byers, SLI

In February we read “Picnic at Hanging Rock” by Joan Lindsay DB92564, and “The Secret Life of Sunflowers” by Marta Molnar DB113204. We had an interesting discussion about “Hanging Rock” as most of us found it confusing and it’s an unfinished mystery (or is it?). We often have the most interesting discussions about books that we’ve have not all liked or have uncomfortable content. “Sunflowers” was a book that we all enjoyed, and I admit that I’m partial to books that are based on true stories.

In March, our books will be:

3/11 “The Wild Silence” by Raynor Winn DB121960, 9:24. We read her book “The Salt Path” last year, and we have the last in this series of three, “Landlines”, on our list of books to read. These books are based on the author and husband’s life experiences.

“The incredible follow-up to international best seller, “The Salt Path,” a story of finding your way back home. Nature holds the answers for Raynor and her husband Moth. After walking 630 homeless miles along The Salt Path, living on the windswept and wild English coastline; the cliffs, the sky and the earth now feel like their home. Moth has a terminal diagnosis, but together on the wild coastal path, with their feet firmly rooted outdoors, they discovered that anything is possible. Now, life beyond The Salt Path awaits, and they come back to four walls, but the sense of home is elusive, and returning to normality is proving difficult-until an incredible gesture by someone who reads their story changes everything. A chance to breathe life back into a beautiful farmhouse, nestled deep in the Cornish Hills; re-wilding the land and returning nature to its hedgerows becomes their saving grace and their new path to follow. The Wild Silence is a story of Hope triumphing over despair, of lifelong love prevailing over everything. It is a luminous account of the human spirits connection to nature, and how vital it is for us all.”

3/25 “The Book Women of Troublesome Creek” by Kim Michele Richardson DB95243, 9:28.

“Kentucky, 1936. Nineteen-year-old Cussy Mary Carter has been working as part of the Pack Horse Library Project, but her father hopes she’ll marry – despite the family trait of blue skin. In addition to her father ‘s hopes, Cussy must also face the prejudice of the community she serves.”

RITD book club meets on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month from 1:00-2:30 PT, call the office for the Zoom link, 503-668-6195. All the books we read are available from NLS Talking Books. Don’t have the Talking Books? Call the office and we can help you sign up if you qualify.

Join us in March as we Read in the Dark!

Tips from the Independence desk

By Todd Fahlstrom, Sight Loss Instructor

Things to think about when dining in/out:

· No canes on the table (place on the floor, in a bag, or under your leg)

· Use high contrast place settings whenever possible (placemats, silverware, dishes, etc.)

· Use your manners (don’t talk with food in your mouth, sit up straight, elbows off table, say please and thank you, cough into sleeve or napkin, ask to be excused if you need to step away, etc.)

· Consider using phone applications to enhance your experience (i.e., Be My Eyes, digital menus, or reading the menu with a magnifier)

· Don’t use your finger to shovel your food; consider using a piece of bread or a food bumper to assist getting food onto your fork

· Take in the dining experience with all 5 of your senses

· Be present with your guests (eliminate cell phone)

· Consider a portable task light to enhance your ability to see meals, menus, or table space

· If you are not proficient at cutting your food, don’t be afraid to ask wait staff to cut your meat

· Present to your dining venue with clean clothes and good hygiene

· Use the clock method when describing object placement on your plate, table, vicinity

· Sliding your hand on the table to locate items will help minimize bumping or spilling items

· Redirect wait staff to speak to the guest whose order they are taking instead of sighted people in the dinner party

Remember, eating is a pleasure, and the company is probably worth their time, enjoy!

Bubble and Squeak Recipe

By Tina Christian, Sight loss Instructor

2 cups left over mashed potatoes

1 cup of vegetables (carrots, cabbage, or Brussels sprouts

½ c chopped onion

½ tsp to 1 tsp garlic powder

salt

pepper

parsley

sour cream

In a large bowl combine the mashed potatoes, your vegetable choice, garlic, and onion.

2 tbsp butter

2 tbsp olive oil or avocado oil

Heat the butter and oil together in a large pan over medium heat. Add the potato mixture to the pan and spread it out evenly. Cook for 10 minutes or more until golden brown on the bottom. Then flip the bubble and squeak over. Cook for another 5 to 10 minutes until golden brown on both sides. Finish with salt, pepper, and parsley to taste. Serve hot with a dollop of sour cream.

Hull Foundation Presents Zoom Meetings:

Current zoom meetings will include topics on tech, cooking, crafting, book club, supporting loved ones of people with sight loss or blindness and a class on forgetfulness that has been a favorite. Bring a friend or spouse, sighted or not!!

If you would like to sign up to receive a weekly email with the weekly zoom schedule and links to the meetings, please email the office at oralhull@gmail.com or call us at 503-668-6195. If you are not an email user, then you can call us on Mondays to receive that week’s classes and the call-in number and meeting ID number for meetings you are interested in attending via phone.

Poem

By Tina Christian, Sight loss Instructor

A Leprechaun

A leprechaun for me

A leprechaun for you

We'll set a trap for two

Now, no screaming-- boo!

A leprechaun for me

A leprechaun for you

They'll fit in our hands

Oh, I wish I had a map to their lands

A leprechaun for me

A leprechaun for you

Gold and clover is their gift

On St Patty's Day, the green isle winds shift

A leprechaun for me

A leprechaun for you

May luck be on your side

The leprechauns cheeky dance gives you happiness worldwide

Did you know?...

If you have not tried Speakaboo yet, find it on the Apple App Store by searching “Speakaboo.” As always, feel free to reach out to me with questions or suggestions at patrick@ben.vision.