After Vision Loss: Should You Get a Service Dog? 5 Questions You Must First Answer

Have you seen TV shows about service dogs and wondered if you should consider getting one? Here are 5 questions you should first answer before making that decision.

1. Do you need help with mobility?
If it is difficult for you to see steps, curbs, obstacles on sidewalks and in stores, and, overall, moving safely and confidently as a result of vision loss, then a service dog can help.

2. Are you in good health?
Service dogs go through a lot of training before they are assigned to a person. To ensure that the dog remains in good health and in good working condition, it is important that the person work the dog regularly. This requires daily walks to keep the dog alert and in good physical condition.

3. Do you have the time to be trained to use a service dog?
Most schools that train a person to use a service dog require the person to attend training for four consecutive weeks. During this time, the person lives on the school's campus in a dormitory. I personally found this experience to be extremely pleasant. It will mean, however, that you will be away from your family during that time. Most, and possibly all, schools, though, will welcome your family to visit you when you are not in training.

4. Will you be able to keep your dog clean?
It is important for your service dog to have good hygiene. He or she will be going with you into all public places. For this reason, it is important that your dog be kept clean and well-groomed.

5. Can you afford to care for your dog?
It will be your responsibility to purchase food and medications for your dog and to pay for any visits to the vet that are not covered by the school which trained your dog. Some schools may offer to pay for the monthly heartworm medication along with flea and tick prevention treatment. A school may even offer to help cover some or all of a bill for certain visits to the vet.

If your answer is yes to all of the above questions, then I highly recommend that you begin researching the various schools where you may just find your very best and most loyal friend.

Get your free report, "21 Ways My Service Dog Helps Me", when you subscribe to the Prove Them Wrong Ezine: Tips & Tools for Succeeding with a Disability. Visit...
http://www.AmazingVideoMagnifiers.com

After Vision Loss: 5 Important Ways a Service Dog Can Assist

I have posted a new article at AmazingVideoMagnifiers.com.

If you or someone you know is considering getting a service dog, but you're just not sure how a service dog can assist, then you will want to read this article.

I lost my sight at age eight, but it was 35 years later before I applied to receive a service dog. Had I known just how much a service dog would assist me, I never would have waited so long.

During the four weeks of training, I quickly realized that there were many ways my new Golden Retriever companion was going to assist me, ways in which I had never even considered.

As I take the harness handle in my hand, feel the gentle tug as he begins to move, I know my life is in good paws.

Read the full article at...
http://www.AmazingVideoMagnifiers.com/article10.htm

Artificial Retina Research Continues

Researchers' vision: restoring sight through artificial retinas

December 30th, 2008 By Robert S. Boyd in Technology / Engineering

Scientists are testing artificial retinas that they hope can restore partial sight to people who've lost their vision to the most
common causes of blindness.

Read story at
http://www.physorg.com/news149841853.html

I always find it exciting to hear about advances in technology.

It may be years before the retina chip implant is available for the general public. Until then, we do have the technology of the video magnifier which can help us right now.

The Telesensory Genie Pro is a popular unit which can be used with your computer's monitor or even with your television.

Run over here and read about its many exciting features.
http://www.AmazingVideoMagnifiers.com/geniePro.html

Price Reduction for Popular Telesensory Units

A very popular Telesensory video magnifier had its price reduced today.

The Aladdin Apex 17" and 20" video magnifiers were reduced in price by $200 each.

What You Get with Your New Apex Video Magnifier
• 17" or 20" LCD flat panel full color display...enjoy viewing your documents and photos in full color on a beautiful flat panel monitor.

• Magnification from 3X to 48X for the 17" model and 3.5X to 56X for the 20" model...giving you the freedom to choose the text size that makes reading
easy for you.

• Newsprint can be magnified to over 4" high...giving you access to the wealth of information in all of your favorite newspapers.

• Integrated, all-in-one design...just take it out of the box, plug it in, and begin reading.

• Easy-to-Use Controls...giving you a relaxing and easy reading experience.

• Picture control with three zones...offering you different variations of brightness adding more comfort and ease to your reading and viewing experience.

Wow! But There's Still Much More!

• Continuous auto-focus with manual override...assisting you in completing your reading and writing tasks more quickly.

• Shadow masking and line markers...helping you focus on one area or line of text at a time.

• Adjustable Flat Panel Display...creating optimal reading distance for your comfort and ease by lowering and extending to accommodate your distinct height
and eye level preferences.

• Color Select Mode lets you view reading materials in 24 different color combinations...enhancing reading ease and comfort for your specific vision needs.

• Negative Text Viewing Mode uses bright white letters on a low-glare background...providing you with maximum reading comfort.

Low Vision Made Easier with Still More Features.

• Two Full-Color Viewing Mode...offering you high quality color contrast for easy viewing of materials with photos and text.

• Photo Viewing Mode...optimizing your viewing of photos, illustrations and 3-dimensional objects in detail.

• Built-in XY table: Non-glare platform moves freely in any direction...making it extremely easy to move the printed material or locks to easily position
your material as you read.

• Monitor folds down and slides into the C-stand...convenient storage has never been easier.

• Sleek new modern design...will look fantastic no matter in which room or office you choose to place your new Apex.

The Apex 20" model had its price reduced today from $3,195 to only $2,995.

The Apex 17" model had its price slashed from $2,795 to the low price of $2,595.

To read about even more great features of the Aladdin Apex and to place your no-risk order, visit
http://www.AmazingVideoMagnifiers.com/aladdinApex.html

The Focused Teacher: A Lesson for All

Did you hear the recent story about the math teacher in southern California who was told that his budget for his teaching supplies was being cut? He had a choice to make just as we all have a choice to make when faced with a difficult challenge.

He could focus on the problem or he could focus on the solution.

Go watch his story at...
http://video.aol.com/video-detail/math-teacher-sells-ad-space-on-tests/2424832580

He focused on the solution and found a very creative way to make up for the lost revenue in the budget cuts. He sold ads on his students' test papers.

But what does this have to do with living with low vision? Everything!

I believe that people who have low or no vision are some of the most creative people. We are constantly searching for and discovering creative solutions for everyday tasks.

When the focus is on the solution, a solution is found.

Click over here and read this article about focus. It's titled "Macular Degeneration: Focus Fuels Freedom."
http://www.amazingvideomagnifiers.com/article5.htm

Then sign up for your free subscription to the Prove Them Wrong Ezine: Tips & Tools for Succeeding with a Disability.
Go to...
http://www.ProveThemWrong.com

And now, go have a great day and never forget...

"Courage is the capacity to hear what others say is impossible and believe you are the one to make it happen." -Nancy Shugart

Top 6 Reasons Why People Love Amazing Video Magnifiers

Here are the top 6 reasons why people love Amazing Video Magnifiers.

Reason 1: Generous Discounts - Discounts are offered regularly. Contact us to see if a discount is available for the unit you are interested in purchasing.

Reason 2: Outstanding Warranty - 3 years!

Reason 3: Exceptional Quality - In my opinion, they're the best.

Reason 4: No-Risk Guarantee - For 30 days.

Reason 5: A Special Bonus - With your video magnifier purchase, you receive a complimentary copy of my hardcover book, Challenged to Win.

Reason 6: Secure Online Shopping - at
http://www.AmazingVideoMagnifiers.com

Want to see the sleek new transportable Vertex video magnifier in action? Jump over to the home page and click on the video link.
http://www.AmazingVideoMagnifiers.com

To learn more about Amazing Video Magnifiers, visit
http://www.AmazingVideoMagnifiers.com/AboutUs.html

International Day of Persons with Disabilities

Today, December 3, is celebrated as International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

2008 Theme: "Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities:
Dignity and justice for all of us"

http://www.un.org/disabilities/default.asp?id=109

Vision loss is a disability which I have lived with for 43 years. It is exciting to see the advances that are being made with technology which can help to make life so much easier.

Telesensory video magnifiers enable people with low vision to see to read and write.

For more information, visit
http://www.AmazingVideoMagnifiers.com/productCatalog.html