Focusing on valuable contribution

Dayner O. Clarke, Staff Writer

FOR MORE than a decade, The Jamaica Society for the Blind has organised Sight Awareness Week in order to increase public knowledge of eye care and blindness. This year their efforts are centred on the parish of St. Catherine, which as the largest parish, has a correspondingly large number of blind citizens. It all commenced on Sunday, May 28, 2000 at the Phillipo Baptist Church in Spanish Town. Since then, rehabilitation field officers and a group of blind persons who have excelled in their chosen disciplines gave talks in schools through out the parish. The guest speakers serve as role models for the youngsters and through video presentations and demonstrations the children were taught basics such as how to walk with a person using a white cane. The presentations also highlighted how, despite the loss of this vital sense, many are making valuable contributions in the fields of music, craft, administration and education.

Other events on the week's agenda are:

A seminar on 'Coping with Blindness: The Family's Perspective' which was held yesterday at the Jamaica 4 H Club Rosehall Training Centre in Linstead (9:30 am -- 4:00 pm).

A symposium on Eye Care and Blindness on Thursday, June 1 at Cecil's Restaurant, Martin Street, Spanish Town (9:30 am -- 4:00 pm) and

A Public Awareness Demonstration on Friday, June 2 at the Spanish Town Shopping Centre (2:00 pm -- 6:00 pm).

The Week of events will culminate in a health fair on Saturday, June 3, 2000 from 10:00 am -- 2:00 pm at the Portmore Missionary Church, 114 Cecile Avenue, Edgewater.

Approximately 20,000 Jamaicans are blind. However, there are still some ways of preventing blindness in certain circumstances. It is therefore important that as many as possible take the opportunity to learn more about eye care especially during this special sight awareness week!

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