Are you a person with declining vision? Have you lost your sight
completely?
YOU ARE NOT ALONE!
There are others just like you...partially sighted or totally blind.
Peer Support for the Blind and Visually Impaired is a peer group made up
of people from the community. They provide support to those who are
experiencing similar conditions. They also serve as a resource that can
provide information on adaptive aids and appliances, low vision, and other
alternative techniques to blindness.
The number one goal of a peer group is to educate persons who are
visually impaired to become independent by using alternative skills. Group
discussions center around attainable goals for blind people. Facilitators
can direct you to the appropriate agency or service to which you may be
entitled.
The second goal is to educate the general public, especially family
members and friends about blindness and partial sight. Family members can be
the vital link for a blind person in gaining independence.
There are no sign-up fees or yearly membership dues for attending a peer
group. Your participation and input is wanted and needed. Volunteers are
welcome, as well as, contributions for transportation, facilities,
refreshments, etc.
Please share this information with someone you know who has vision loss
of any type. The Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired is here to
serve you. We are here to help you live the next chapter of your life with
more ease and confidence.
If you are interested in becoming a facilitator and starting your own
group for peer support, please call Nancy Wise, Peer Support Coordinator at
(208) 334-3220 ext. 113 or email to:
nwise@icbvi.idaho.gov or call the office nearest you.
Peer Support Groups
The list below are Peer Support Groups located across the state.
ASHTON
SHIRLEY RICHEY
3507 East 1600 North
Ashton, ID 83420
(208) 652-3500
BLACKFOOT
VEE ANN WILLIAMS
850 Parkway, #17
Blackfoot, ID 83221
(208) 785-6656
BOISE
GEM STATE REGIONAL GROUP OF BLINDED VETERANS
VALERIE DUFFY (OOVIS)
VA Medical Center
500 West Fort Street
Boise, ID 83702-4598
(208) 327-1158 (Bert Strom)
BertJeanStrom@cableone.net
CALDWELL
EMILINA BALDERAS
211 Howe Avenue
Caldwell, ID 83605
(208) 459-9235
MARGARET BEDIENT
202 Poplar Avenue, #A
Caldwell, ID 83642
(208) 459-1440
COEUR D'ALENE
LARRY KIMBLE
300 Acorn
Coeur d'Alene, ID 83815
(208) 769-9989
HEYBURN
LINDA CROFT
335 South 400 West
Heyburn, ID 83336
(208) 679-0339
JEROME
CARLYNE
WOOLF
604 East Avenue A
Jerome, ID 83338
(208) 320-0875
LEWISTON
TIM SMITH
1424 Alder
Lewiston, ID 83501
(208) 413-4567
trsmith313@cableone.net
MOSCOW
CLARA DOCKTER
518 East 8th Street
Moscow, ID 83843
(208) 883-0911
cd2147@peoplepc.com
NEW PLYMOUTH
FERN ANDERSON
Box 211
New Plymouth, ID 83655
(208) 278-5784
POCATELLO
DOROTHY MARTIN
765 Ebony
Pocatello, ID 83201
(208) 233-2307
REXBURG
BERNICE WILDE
350 West 5 South, Apt #54
Rexburg, ID 83440
(208) 359-2145
SANDPOINT
BRITT RAUBENHEIMER (telephone group)
73 Village Lane
Sandpoint, ID 83864
(208) 255-8879
britt@whoi.edu
REXBURG
LOU STODDARD
386 North 1700 East
St. Anthony, ID 83445
(208) 624-7118
TWIN FALLS
VERNA MOTES
145 Crestview
Twin Falls, ID 83301
(208) 732-0627
SUZANNE MCCLAIN
1828 Bridgeview Blvd, Apt. 222
Twin Falls, ID 83301
(208) 316-1351
WEISER
MARGARET CHARTERS
1085 Serenity Drive
Weiser, ID 83672
(208) 549-2244