Page 31 - bon-dia-aruba-20200707

LOCAL Tuesday 7 July 2020
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There is more to the eyes than you see

ORANJESTAD – In the year less they are considered a world appears and we
1974 a group of enthusias- visually impaired person.” paint that world. Their so-
tic people, stimulated by In general people with a cial behavior differs often
the Netherlands, founded vision above that, they are from other children as their
the “Stichting Blindenzorg not accepted. However senses are more devel-
Aruba” foundation. In 1975 the exception is when their oped and they express in
the name was changed functional system is not a different way which can
to the Papiamento name working well, we need to cause misunderstandings.
“Fundacion Arubano di set a guideline. FAVI has
esnan Visualmente Inca- ten workers, the director, 3, 105 Visually Impaired
pacita,” abbreviated as two teachers, bus drivers, According to Census Aru-
FAVI, easily recognizable receptionist, and clean- ba 2010 there are 3,105
in the community. The ing lady among others. visually impaired people.
name FAVI nowadays is A revalidation therapist FAVI only has 350 clients,
directly linked to the visu- gives all trainings and op- by percentage that is
ally impaired. Cetty Baarh, erates the vision testing. comparable to the Nether-
Director of the foundation: She teaches patients how lands and Curacao. “They
“FAVI is for the blind and to work on the computer, do not look for help easily.
visually impaired, we are typing and does Braille The reasons are the taboo,
the only one on the island classes for clients and they are embarrassed
that gives guidance to teachers as well. to get out, do not want
this group. The objective people to know and will
is to help and guide them It does not stop there, as try to ignore it, as long as
with the main purpose to the assistant at the school manageable. Other fac-
make them happy again. also has to teach Braille to tors are they do not wish to
We focus first on happi- the parents. There are in- burden the family so they
ness because when the formation briefings to the keep themselves isolated”, everybody, we have the a government subsidy,
person feels good about police school and lectures the director explains. The knowledge in-house and mainly to pay the workers
her or himself again after within the community. The majority of the clients are the professionals working and they have other funds
losing her or his sight, only activity coordinator takes visually impaired because here. We call on the com- from different donations.
then we can mean some- care of all social activi- of glaucoma or diabetes; munity to be open to us, “We do activities to get
thing to them. Only then ties like trips to the beach for sure 80% of those ill- even if you do not have funding and we have col-
they accept our help and or casino and bus trips, a nesses are the cause and this problem yourself, you lectors. We can only run
if they do we concentrate Christmas celebration or a also age. A smaller group might know someone in by that. We are in need
on what they want and comedy show visit. The so- is born with the illness, like your neighborhood, and of equipment and that is
need.” cial workers visit the homes premature babies, babies friends, family and you expensive, especially for
of the clients and organize with eye disease or born help a lot to inform them the blind and visually im-
Reintegration into Society conversational sessions as with cataracts. “Before about us to coax them out paired, like Braille type
Either the eye special- there are so many topics the age range was 60 and of isolation. machines, printers etc.
ist or the client initiates to that the clients have is- up, but the clients are get- For example we have two
come to FAVI. Next they sues with and in this group ting younger, so 50 and up Needs blind children on the island
go to their home to see they talk and find solutions. is now applicable but a “We would love tourists to that follow regular educa-
the situation and register “Depressions are common growing group are young come and see our facil- tion completely in Braille,
their needs. “What do you with our clients but this people in their twenties. ity to see what we have so they have their typing
want? How is your home group helps them a lot, This is because of the un- to offer and interact with machine for Braille. But the
situation? Do you have there is a way out. We fo- healthy eating lifestyle so clients. Clients are al- technology is advancing
problems at your job? cus on what they can still they get diabetes that can ways open to that, so and we need to be able
are some of the questions do and on acceptance. If go hand-in-hand with los- call us and stop by. Every to keep up to make sure
we ask. After that we do you were able to see be- ing sight.” Wednesday we have gym these kids can proceed in
a practical visual check fore and lose your sight it is class and we have other the regular system.”
with a revalidation thera- really very difficult. When a Reach Out classes, it would be great
pist. The test is not medical child is born without sight FAVI visits the doctors to to show you how we work For more information visit
but for us to determine the mostly the parents have underline the importance and have you spread the the website: http://www.
person’s visual capacity. problems. We need to of referring clients to them. word,” Baarh says. FAVI favi-aruba.org/or Face-
When a person has 30% or teach the child how the “We would like to reach as a foundation receives book: FAVI. Thank You! q