Grand Opening of the AFB Center on Vision Loss Draws Hundreds
AFB's Center on Vision Loss in Dallas drew more than 400 visitors during its grand opening week, October 23-27, 2006. The opening was celebrated with a series of events that included a tea and two educational workshops. It culminated with the grand opening ribbon cutting and reception on October 27, featuring a keynote address by U.S. Congressman Pete Sessions.
Included among the more than 175 grand opening attendees were Dr. Jeverley Cook of Communities Foundation of Texas, Maggie McCarthy of the Bernard and Audre Rapoport Foundation, Mavis Best Knight of the Texas Board of Education, Dallas City Councilman Mitchell Rasansky, Texas Governor's Committee on People with Disabilities Executive Director Pat Pound and Richard Piatas of Bank of America.
Esther Smith chaired the event, and Dorothy and Roger Hirl provided a generous contribution to help underwrite the evening. Jerry and Phyllis Prager secured a donation of wine for the grand opening from Glazer Wholesale Distributors, and Marilyn and Jim Augur secured a donation of water from Water Event.
A standing-room-only crowd heard remarks by Center Director Judy Scott, AFB President and CEO Carl R. Augusto and Paul Schroeder, AFB Vice President, Programs and Policy. Mr. Rasansky presented the Center with an official proclamation from Dallas Mayor Laura Miller. The presentations were followed by a ribbon cutting and reception and by tours of the Center, including the independent living model apartment.
Earlier in the week, 76 people attended a free seminar on macular degeneration, the first in a series of seminars related to vision loss to be held at the Center. The seminar included a discussion on research and treatment by H. Dwight Cavanagh, M.D., Ph.D., a Center Board member and the Dr. W. Maxwell Thomas Chair and professor of ophthalmology at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. Center Board Member Esther Smith gave a presentation on living independently with macular degeneration, and Ms. Scott and Priscilla A. Rogers, Ph.D., discussed how families and friends can help.
Also during opening week, the Center hosted an afternoon tea party (see story below), and a free workshop to help visually impaired students in grades 6 through 12. Parents, teachers, mentors and 17 students attended the workshop. "Get Ahead of the Curve: Learn Ways to Succeed at School and Work" featured tips for succeeding at school, finding a career and learning what employers value in their employees. The event drew 70 attendees and was held in partnership with the Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services and the Education Service Centers, Regions X and XI.
British Tea Benefits the CenterOn October 26, as part of its grand opening week, the AFB Center on Vision Loss held A Traditional British Afternoon Tea Party with Royal Chef Darren McGrady. The event drew 90 people and raised more than $5,000 for the Center. Phyllis Prager chaired the event, and Ramona Jones was vice chair. Their committee included Barbara Brice, Nancy Horowitz, Sandra Moon, Esther Smith and Lynn Smith. Guests enjoyed Earl Grey tea, tea sandwiches and pastries, and scones with clotted cream personally prepared by Chef McGrady.
Chef McGrady is former chef to Queen Elizabeth II and Diana, Princess of Wales. He is now a private chef in Dallas. Born in Nottinghamshire, England, Chef McGrady trained at the prestigious Savoy Hotel in London. He served the royal family for 15 years. Chef McGrady moved to the U.S. with his wife and three children in 1998 after the death of Princess Diana. He declined an offer from H.R.H. the Prince of Wales to become his private chef and has devoted much of his free time since the Princess's death working for causes she supported, including shelters for battered women, charities for children with chronic illnesses and disabilities, and breast cancer charities. He also teaches cooking classes and his first cookbook, Eating Royally, will be released in August 2007. |
Related Events
Welcome to the AFB Center on Vision Loss |
|
|
Related Links: |
|
|
Aging and Vision Loss:
A Handbook for Families 
|
E-mail to a Friend
