Central Blind
Rehabilitation Center
Hines VA Hospital
PO Box 5000 (124)
Hines, IL 60141

Phone: 708-202-2272
Fax: 708-202-7949
hinesbrc@med.va.gov

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Central Blind Rehabilitation Center (CBRC) at Hines, Illinois

Testimonials from Family Members

"By Glen attending this program he gave me the best Christmas gift I could have ever asked for."

Staff at the Central Blind Rehabilitation Center decided to include the testimonials and comments of veterans' family members for two reasons:

1. Family members knew the veteran prior to sight loss and afterward. Their observations may be our best indicator of an improved quality of life for the men and women we train.
2. Most people feel that blind rehabilitation is only for the individual who lost their sight. This is not true. When blind people become more independent in all aspects of daily life, a burden is often lifted from family members. They no longer have to worry about being a "caregiver" and can return to being a wife, a husband, a son and a daughter. Families commonly find that their quality of life is improved through the veteran's participation.

My husband, Don, is a legally blinded Ex-POW who was a guest of the Blind Rehabilitation Center at Edward Hines VA Medical Center in 1998. When he lost his eyesight, his personality didn't change much, but because of his loss of control over his outside activities he withdrew, somewhat, and paced the house like a caged animal. Since receiving his training and equipment at the Hines Blind Center, it's as though he came alive all over again.

Don is now an active member of a number of veteran organizations and support groups, is on the board of directors for two of them, one of which is the Hines Blind Center Alumni, volunteers at the local medical center and writes an occasional article for a newspaper or veteran's publication. I highly recommend this training to all blinded veterans.

Betty J. Raies

My attendance at Hines (in the family program) is one I will never forget. To see and be with men and women who have lost such a precious ability, and to have them deal with every day life without complaint and with joy, knowing they can function and function well, is truly inspiring. The experience my husband had at Hines gave him tremendous confidence in dealing with the physical and emotional blow of losing a great portion of his sight. Since returning home he has used his new skills and equipment to balance his checkbook, pay monthly bills, read sections of the newspaper and do the cooking.

Macular degeneration has been a tremendous blow. But my husband says, "If you live long enough, you will get something. This is what I got!" We are dealing with it and are grateful that he had the opportunity to attend the Hines program. I am very fortunate to have a husband who has been determined to make the best of our situation. Anyone who is offered the opportunity of participating in the Hines program is foolish not to take full advantage. Not attending is being selfish.

Lois Nethery

The VA training programs have developed my husband's ability to be more independent and involved in church and community activities as well as to be more self-sufficient at home, thus relieving me of various routine tasks. What a blessing for him and me to learn about and participate in these VA programs.

Since completing the Hines initial course for veterans with low vision my husband has developed confidence in walking in unfamiliar places because of his ability to use his white cane properly. He learned techniques and methods to do his own ironing and to operate a washer and dryer thus being able to do these household chores. He learned to make use of Velcro and tactile dot markings on appliances enabling him to more proficient in their use and how to use other devices, ie talking calculator, to make him more independent.

Following completion of the Hines computer course he now uses its screen reading program for word processing and e-mail thus assuming responsibility for communicating with friends, businesses, etc.

Vicki Butler