April’s Story

77-year-old April began her connection with Lighthouse Guild professionally and later as a client receiving services and a volunteer. Her story is a unique perspective that highlights the profound impact of her multiple relationships with our organization.

A Lifelong New Yorker

April was born in Brooklyn, New York, and lived in Queens until age four. At that time, her family moved to Massapequa, Long Island, and all her schooling was in public schools. After graduating high school, April began working at Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation while taking classes at Nassau Community College. After she was laid off from Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation, April attended Nassau Community College full-time. Soon afterward, she moved to Queens and began attending Queens College full-time. Once receiving her Bachelor’s degree, April moved to Manhattan and later received her Master’s degree at Hunter College. She’s happy to report that she has remained in Manhattan ever since.

April was diagnosed with Stargardt’s disease when she was eight years old. Stargardt’s disease is a genetic eye disorder that affects the retina, causing a gradual loss of central vision, and is characterized by the accumulation of lipofuscin deposits in the macula, leading to progressive vision impairment. Throughout the years, there has been a prolonged deterioration in April’s vision since her diagnosis.

April Connects with Lighthouse International

Toward the end of graduate school in 1977, April took a course with the former Medical Director, Ophthalmological Advisor, and Director of Lighthouse Guild Low Vision Services, the late Dr. Eleanor E. Faye. Dr. Faye informed April about an opportunity to apply for a GED one-on-one per diem teaching position at Lighthouse International (one of the two organizations that merged to form Lighthouse Guild). Dr. Faye served as a reference, and April landed the role just as she finished her Master’s degree.

A couple of months later, Lighthouse International added a communication skills course for adult students enrolled in what was then called the Sheltered Workshop Program — now Academic and Career Services — and offered April a part-time position as a Communication Clinical Instructor teaching basic communication skills, typing, and signature improvement. She was also a per diem instructor for GED and college preparation. A few months later, the position became full-time, and she taught to adults who are disabled, aged 18 to early thirties.

April Connects with The Jewish Guild for the Blind

In 1981, April accepted a position as Communication Skills Instructor in the Rehabilitation Program at The Jewish Guild for the Blind (one of the two organizations that merged to form Lighthouse Guild). April had a background in Early Childhood Development. The Jewish Guild for the Blind was starting an early intervention program, and they wanted April to help them open the program. This time, the position incorporated adults aged 18 to 92 and focused on teaching Braille, GED preparation, basic handwriting skills, and basic communication skills.

In 1986, since she also had a background in data processing and computer programming, April decided to learn how to use a screen reader and incorporated it into the training curriculum. At the time, she was teaching three separate programs but later decided to focus only on technology. From then on, she taught the students how to use a screen reader to navigate the computer to help them with their jobs.

During this time, TWA reached out to the New York State Commission for the Blind (NYSCB) because they wanted to hire people who were blind or visually impaired to work as telephone reservationists. The NYSCB contacted April, and she developed an evaluation tool for potential students. Once students were selected for the program, April trained them in basic computer skills. April also trained TWA staff on how to work with people who are visually impaired.

April Becomes a VIT

In 1989, April accepted a position as a Vision Itinerant Teacher (VIT) and a classroom teacher for the Nassau Board of Cooperative Educational Services. The program offered special education services to the different districts in Nassau County. April was there for twenty-four years until she retired. April said, “It was a great job, and I loved it.”

Volunteering

Following her retirement, April worked as a volunteer for Lighthouse International’s Saturday Youth Skills Program for two years before Lighthouse International and The Jewish Guild for the Blind merged to form Lighthouse Guild. April assisted with providing social and recreational services to legally blind children aged 6 to 13, focusing on helping them build self-confidence.

History of Services

April says, “When first moving to Manhattan in 1976, I used the reader services available at Lighthouse International, and I still use Lighthouse Guild’s services today.” After developing a significant vision loss, April said, “Once I realized I was on the edge of functional vision, I reached out to the New York State Commission for the Blind. They reconnected me with Lighthouse Guild to access their low vision and rehabilitation services.”

Low Vision Services

April was a patient of former Lighthouse Guild Chief of Low Vision Services, Dr. Bruce Rosenthal, who retired in May 2023. When speaking about Dr. Rosenthal, April says, “Dr. Bruce Rosenthal had so much experience and knowledge in the field of vision loss. He was very well-informed and thorough and provided an excellent low vision examination. I have been a patient of his for many years. Dr. Rosenthal was on top of all the modern technology available for visually impaired people, and he was a dedicated physician and was always very helpful.”

Daily Living Skills

After recently retiring, having developed cataracts and her vision worsening over the years, April contacted Lighthouse Guild’s Daily Living Skills Program for vision rehabilitation training to update her skills. April said, “Vision Rehabilitation Therapist Lilly Harris came to my home, and she taught me some very valuable things like reorganizing my sheets and towels, how to clean various areas of my kitchen such as the stove and the microwave, and tips when cooking. She helped me get involved in learning to feel more secure about using the gas stove, and now I am cooking more.

She gave me tips on how to wash the floors in the kitchen and the bathroom.” April concludes, “Lilly was very helpful and very pleasant, and she gave me some valuable advice, and I still use the techniques she offered me.”

Mobility Training

April said, “Diane Formosa, Communication Skills Instructor at Lighthouse Guild, gave me orientation and mobility lessons on how to use the white cane. She taught me how to navigate with the white cane from the 10 to 2 o’clock positions, move with the correct foot and cane coordination, and feel safer when doing so. She also taught me how to navigate in and out of the subway, approach the bus stop, and cross the street safely.” April said she learned that when unsure how long the light has been green, she waits until the light goes through another cycle and turns green again before she crosses or asks someone.

April said her building has put up some scaffolding, which changed the entranceway to her apartment building. Diane taught her how to approach the building’s new entranceway. April said, “Her assistance has been extremely helpful and very detailed. She also taught me how to use my hearing more since my vision has lessened. She helped me twice when I needed to change my methods due to my continuation of vision loss, and I feel more safe and secure in my travels.”

Lighthouse Guild Today

April said, “The Vision Rehabilitation Services at Lighthouse Guild are essential, along with the Daily Living Skills, Mobility Training Programs, and the reading services. These programs have helped me develop independence and self-reliance. Based on my experience, I recommend anyone with a vision impairment go to Lighthouse Guild.

I am currently receiving training from the Lighthouse Guild’s Tech Pals Program to improve my skills when using my iPhone. I look forward to continuing with mobility skills training and taking advantage of other services as needed.