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THE LANTERN, SPRING 2003
VOLUME LXXII, NUMBER 2 (Text only)

IN THIS ISSUE:
Braille & Talking Book Library
Boston Marathon
Irish Tea

COVER PHOTO: Al Gasper volunteers 10 hours every week and has been a loyal patron of Perkins Braille & Talking Book Library for many years.

CAPTION: Please join us and learn about the invaluable services of Perkins Braille & Talking Book Library.


MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT:
It is an honor for me to write this, my first Message for the Lantern. In January I joined a distinguished line of people as the new President, the ninth leader in Perkins' 173 years of service. These past few months have indelibly etched Perkins in my heart. I am humbled to be part of the Perkins family. The creativity, tireless work ethic and selfless leadership of so many students, staff, volunteers and trustees make Perkins a powerful presence in our community.

An example of Perkins leadership is the legacy left by former director,
Kevin J. Lessard. Kevin's 18-year tenure resulted in many domestic and international initiatives. Please learn about the Kevin J. Lessard Fund for Parent & Teacher Initiatives in the enclosed article. We hope many of you will join us in continuing to recognize his excellence by contributing to this important fund.

This issue of the Lantern highlights a number of important initiatives at Perkins School for the Blind. There is an extensive piece on the work of the Perkins Braille & Talking Book Library. We take pride in the work of the library and are working hard to maintain its services despite state budget challenges. Also featured is marathoner and Perkins Ambassador Marla Runyan's visit to our Watertown campus, our special showing of Touching Lives: Portraits of Deaf-Blind People, our work in Russia through the Hilton/Perkins program, and a number of our other campus activities.

Thank you for so graciously welcoming me into the Perkins family. For those of you I have yet to meet, I look forward to meeting you in the near future. As we approach our 175th Anniversary next year, it is my hope that we will all work together to make this a special year.

Best wishes,
Steven M. Rothstein, President


CONTENTS:
PERKINS BRAILLE & TALKING BOOK LIBRARY - Providing access to the written and spoken word
KEVIN J. LESSARD ENDOWED FUND FOR PARENT & TEACHER INITIATIVES - Honoring Perkins past leader by endowing the future
MARLA RUNYAN AT PERKINS - The Boston Marathon, Perkins students and celebrating potential
REFLECTIONS - Perkins people and happenings on and off campus
TRANSFORMING LIVES - Through books and film


PERKINS BRAILLE & TALKING BOOK LIBRARY:
Imagine that all bookstores, newspaper stands and libraries carry only reading material in languages that you don't know. Imagine being 13-years-old, and everyone is talking about books and movies you can't understand. Then imagine a place that gives you those same books, magazines and videos in your language. That is what the Perkins Braille & Talking Book Library is all about.

For over 17,000 children, adults and elders who cannot read traditional print, Perkins Braille & Talking Book Library (BTBL) provides braille, recorded books and described videos that connect people to the world of information.

"Lifesavers," BTBL patron Christina LeFabrie once wrote about the library. "That is how I think of you."

Patrons of Perkins Braille & Talking Book Library (BTBL) span all segments of society from all over New England. The majority are elders who have lost their sight late in life. Others have used the Library all their lives. From adults to children, Perkins BTBL is often considered a lifeline.

"Our library is the equivalent of a public library," says Kim Charlson, Director of Perkins BTBL. "Just because we are unable to read standard print, we should not have to pay for the right to access reading materials and information. All members of society are entitled to free library services."

Perkins BTBL loans braille, recorded materials and special tape players free of charge to anyone having difficulty reading print because of a visual, physical or neurological disability. The Library carries over 15,000 braille books and 50,000 talking book cassette titles (unabridged, unlike most commercial books-on-tape) in English, Spanish and 64 other languages. 500 mainstream videos with audio description of the film's unspoken action is a welcome new service, for it is difficult to buy and almost unheard of to rent described tapes.

Founded in 1830, Perkins BTBL became affiliated with the Library of Congress' National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped in 1931. It is funded in part through the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners and supplemented by Perkins and private donors.

The Increasing Need - 
The need for Perkins BTBL has never been greater. As we live longer, age-related problems such as macular degeneration, glaucoma, cataracts and diabetic retinopathy affect many, making traditional reading difficult, sometimes impossible. Losing what had been a lifetime joy, or simply a way of getting information, can be devastating in an already challenging situation. Perkins Braille & Talking Book Library offers more than hope. It offers a link to a world that people often assume had been shut off to them.

"My mother enjoyed [talking] books more than she or I could ever tell you. They were her window to the world after she lost her eyesight," reports Sylvia Estabrook, daughter of BTBL patron Elsie Wanhatalo.

Elders tend to prefer recorded books rather than braille (though several retirees have joined the Library's classes for new braille readers). Adults who have been blind most of their lives and school children may use both braille and talking books. Parents and young children often share picture books with clear Braille overlays allowing a blind child to follow along, or a blind parent to read while a sighted child enjoys the pictures.

Perkins BTBL reaches far beyond people who are blind. Dyslexia, a stroke or surviving a coma can impair a person's ability to process printed information, and physical disabilities such as severe arthritis, quadriplegia or multiple sclerosis can prevent a person from holding a book or turning pages. Talking books and tape machines - some that have been specially adapted to accommodate those with limited dexterity - currently allow about 4,000 people with physical or reading disabilities to continue or even to start reading.

"I get tapes from the Perkins Library and listen to all the stories my classmates are reading," wrote Scott Varley. "I am much happier because in school I can talk about the same books everyone else does. I know my learning style is different than most of the kids, but I don't want to be left out because of it."

Surviving Budget Cuts - 
In this era of state budget cuts, Perkins Braille & Talking Book Library is determined to continue providing quality services to people who do not have the luxury of patronizing a local library, bookstore or newspaper stand. But it is getting more difficult. Last year's $120,000 cut in state funding, along with this year's $110,000 cut, forced a hiring freeze that left four positions vacant (two shipping clerks, a reader advisor and the assistant director). This is especially difficult as Perkins BTBL already relies heavily on 155 volunteers donating over 11,000 hours of service each year.
Determined to keep their access to books, patrons themselves contributed $35,000 to a recently established Library Fund.

"I wish this check could be fifty times more," states BTBL patron Jeanette Bower.
"I could not cope with my life without your talking books. I thank God everyday for this service."

Reaching Out - 
Perkins Braille & Talking Book Library, which currently serves only 10% of the eligible population, needs to do more than weather the current budget storm. The BTBL needs to reach the thousands of people who are not receiving services.
Before the budget crisis, the Library implemented a public service announcement campaign throughout New England. Library staff began contacting every council on aging, public library and school special education department.

Because of the budget reductions, the BTBL has been forced to reduce its outreach efforts. The need is still there, and - with Baby Boomers around the corner - it will only be growing. 

"Thousands of people throughout New England do not know about the free services at Perkins Braille & Talking Book Library, " says Kim Charlson. "We need to reach hospitals, dialysis units, nursing homes, cancer clinics and doctors offices... We need to reach people before they resign themselves to a world of diminishing sight and diminishing expectations. At no time in one's life - not in childhood, not in adulthood, not after retirement - does blindness have to mean isolation." 

The 15 Most Requested Authors at Perkins Braille & Talking Book Library are -
1. Danielle Steel
2. Jack London
3. Mary Higgins Clark
4. John Grisham
5. Belva Plain
6. Nora Roberts
7. Sue Grafton
8. Dick Francis
9. Agatha Christie
10. Sidney Sheldon
11. Jack Higgins
12. Ken Follett
13. William Shakespeare
14. John LeCarre
15. David McCullough

Services of Perkins Braille & Talking Book Library Include -
- Reading Materials: Mailing braille and recorded books and magazines to patrons at home.
- Playback Equipment: Providing special cassette players needed to listen to talking books.
- Described Videos: Distributing VHS tapes of mainstream films with special audio description.
- Reader Advisors: Recommending books and facilitating services to patrons through regular contact in person, phone or email.
- Recording Studio: Recording books, usually of local interest, that have not been produced on tape by the Library of Congress.
- Reference Services: Retrieving information (as in a standard library) and making it available in braille, large print, on disk and in other accessible formats.
- Tape Duplication: Creating additional copies of requested talking books and magazines in order to minimize waiting lists for materials.
- Braille Education: Providing experiential education kits to schools to teach sighted students about braille.
- Website & On-line Catalogue: Allowing patrons to search for books from home.

All services are free of charge, as in a community public library.

 
People May Use Perkins Braille & Talking Book Library Who- 

- Are legally blind with 20/200 vision or less or a visual field no greater than 20 degrees.
- Have corrected vision but cannot read comfortably for extended periods of time.
- Cannot hold a book or turn pages due to a physical disability.
- Cannot read standard print due to a reading disability, certified by a medical doctor as having a physical basis.

Hospitals, libraries, nursing homes, day care facilities, schools and other agencies serving Perkins BTBL patrons may also apply for service.
Voorhees

There are many opportunities to help Perkins Braille & Talking Book Library - 

-REFER a friend or family member for services. Everyone has the right to free reading materials in accessible formats.  Call 1-800-852-3133 or 617-972-7240, email Library@Perkins.org or check out www.Perkins.org.

-VOLUNTEER. Perkins Library always needs volunteers in two main areas: inspecting returned cassette books; and recording books in our studio.
Call Volunteer Office: 617-972-7224 or email Volunteer@Perkins.org

- DONATE. You can send a check payable to "Perkins School for the Blind" with
"Library Fund" written in the memo line:
Perkins School for the Blind
175 North Beacon Street
Watertown, MA 02472
Attn: Development Office (or use attached envelope)
For credit card donations, call 617-972-7469.

- WRITE your Senator or Representative at the State House. Tell them it is essential to maintain library services for people unable to read standard print.
The State House: Attn. [your Senator or Representative]
Boston, MA 02133
www.mass.gov (to obtain information on your legislator)


Information about KIM CHARLSON Director, Perkins Braille & Talking Book Library - 

- Appointed Director of the Perkins Braille & Talking Book Library in 2001 following 16 years as the Service Management Librarian and Assistant Director.

- Serves on a number of committees for the Library of Congress' National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped.

- A national member of the Braille Authority of North America, the standard-setting body for Braille in the United States and Canada.

- Chair of the Massachusetts Braille Literacy Advisory Council.

- Treasurer of the International Council on English Braille.

- Appointed member of the Governor's Advisory Council on Disability Policy.

- Former board member of the American Council of the Blind.

- Active in a wide range of consumer advocacy arenas including arts access and audio description, braille literacy, adaptive technology, civil rights, guide dog access issues and special education.

- Author of "Establishing a Braille Literacy Program in Your Community: A Handbook for Libraries and Other Community Organizations."

- Contributed to numerous publications, including a chapter on braille library services in the book, "Braille: Into the Next Millennium," published by the Library of Congress.

- Contributing author to the book, "Making Theatre Accessible: A Guide to Audio Description in the Performing Arts."

- Earned a Master's degree in Library Science, summa cum laude, from the University of North Texas.

Quotes and Captions included in the BTBL article include -
Photo Caption: Every year, 155 volunteers give over 11,000 hours of service to Perkins Braille & Talking Book Library. Here, Molly Walsh rewinds one of the 40,000 tapes borrowed each month.

Photo Caption: Thousands of students, such as Rebecca Slattery, use talking books in their classrooms.

Photo Caption: Braille books and tapes at Perkins Braille & Talking Book Library occupy 5 miles of shelving.

Caption:  Most patrons receive their free books and tapes by mail, but Perkins Braille & Talking Book Library also staffs a drop-in center that allows Librarian Patricia Ahearn to assist patrons in person and by phone.

Caption:  17,000 patrons receive free books and tapes by mail from Perkins Braille & Talking Book Library. Return mailing labels allow the materials to be returned free of postage.

Quote:  "Thank you very much for the magic machine and the wonderful tapes... Since I live alone, and my dog is not a conversationalist, your books make a great difference in my life." - Rosemarie Voorhees



THE KEVIN J. LESSARD ENDOWED FUND FOR PARENT & TEACHER INITIATIVES:

To honor Kevin J. Lessard's 35 years of service and dedication to Perkins School for the Blind, the Board of Trustees, parents, colleagues, alumni and friends have established The Kevin J. Lessard Endowed Fund for Parent and Teacher Initiatives.

This fund honors Kevin's vision and energy which enabled Perkins to grow in new directions, such as:
-creating the Perkins infant and toddler program
- initiating outreach to the elderly blind population
- building a worldwide program for children who are deafblind and their teachers
- leading an international educational program for teachers of the blind and
deafblind
- advocating for parents of children who are blind, deafblind and multihandicapped

Kevin J. Lessard helped Perkins become a trusted friend of parents, children, alumni, teachers and colleagues around the world. The fund in his name will continue his auspicious work. 

Quotes and Captions included in the Kevin J. Lessard Endowed Fund article include -

Caption:  To contribute to the Fund, please contact Jan Spitz, 617-972-7328 or Jan.Spitz@Perkins.org.


CONGRATULATIONS MARLA!  Perkins Ambassador Triumphs in the Boston Marathon:

We are thrilled to congratulate Perkins Ambassador and Olympic runner Marla
Runyan for placing 1st among American women in the 2003 Boston Marathon. Marla placed 5th overall and was the first American woman to place in the top 10 since 1993.

Marla, who has been legally blind since late childhood due to a degenerative eye condition, has never let her vision hold her back. She is a great inspiration, not just to Perkins students, but to the many people who have learned her story of dealing with vision loss, setting goals despite the advice of some, and achieving those goals. Marla embodies possibility for us all.

We celebrate Marla's accomplishments and thank her for taking time from her
Boston Marathon schedule to spend an afternoon with Perkins students and an evening downtown with Perkins friends from the business community. Thank you, Marla, for your endless energy and inspiration.

Quotes and Captions included in the Marla Runyan article include -

Photo Caption:  Marathon celebrity Bill Rodgers with Alli Richissin and Marla Runyan with Jason Campbell conducted a running workshop for Perkins Secondary students. 

Photo Caption:  The day before the Boston Marathon, Marla threw out the opening pitch at a Boston Red Sox game, and Perkins Lower School student, John Castillo, sang the U.S. and Canadian national anthems to a loud and appreciative audience.


REFLECTIONS - Perkins People and Happenings On and Off Campus

From Russia with Love - 
Seven years ago in Russia, the Deafblind Children's Home, one of the largest such schools in the world, was rescued from potential collapse by the collective efforts of German donors and the Hilton/Perkins Program. After initial assistance that included $25,000 worth of hearing aids and building supplies, Perkins' help today arrives in the form of teacher training programs, technical assistance and staff exchanges.

Over 170 students, about 50 who are orphans, are thriving, and Hilton/Perkins and our Russian colleagues are now strategizing about ways to reach the estimated 1,200 more children in need of services in European Russia.


Large as Life - 
How do you know the size of an elephant if you can't see it? Someone can tell you that a mouse will fit in your hand and a lamb in your arms, but what about the really big things? Without benefiting from the pictures that sighted children can learn from, Perkins Preschool students learn about the world through touch.

They ride ponies, hold baby chicks, and run their hands over tables, chairs, pianos, books, bricks... everything in order to get a sense of what these things are. We are especially grateful to the Ryder Rental Company for every year bringing one of their trucks to Perkins Preschool. The kids climb and crawl all over. They learn how big wheels can be, that the back is cavernous and the height of the truck.

Back in the classroom, when learning about elephants - an animal not among the taxidermy birds, wildcats, the polar bear or the shark in Perkins touching museum - they now understand what is meant by "an elephant is the size of a
Ryder truck."


Celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - 
Newspaper stories of Yˇguˇ Badiguˇ, a self-motivated graduating senior originally from a small town in the African country of Chad, so touched the organizers of two Martin Luther King, Jr. Day celebrations that they asked Yˇguˇ, also a serious pianist, to participate in their events. Partners HealthCare sponsored a ceremony at Massachusetts General Hospital where The
Honorable John Lewis, congressman and civil rights activist, spoke about his work with Dr. King. The following week, Winfred W. Williams, M.D. spoke to a gathering for Blacks in Government, the Greater Boston chapter of state, city and local government workers, about the situation for minorities in health care. Both events celebrated pride and potential. Attendees at both events gave Yˇguˇ standing ovations for his performance and for living up to that potential.


The Way of Tea - 
Perkins annual Irish Tea on St. Patrick's Day brought song, music, smiles, dance, scones, strawberries and whipped cream to Perkins Secondary Program for high school-aged students. Some of the kids might say that the best part of the tea was that their teachers and other staff - even Perkins President, Steven Rothstein - were the waiters. Whatever one's role, everyone was smiling.


THE GIFT OF READING FOR LIFE:
Mildred "Billy" Hall Mason, an annual fund supporter of Perkins for years,
recently established a charitable gift annuity as a way to give back to Perkins
Braille & Talking Book Library.

"When suddenly - with macular degeneration - I was no longer able to read
or watch TV, I was desolate. My entire life had been devoted to reading and
writing," says Billy, a former writer and reporter for the United States Information Agency. Before retiring from the State Department after 30 years, she worked in the Philippines, India, Africa and the U.S.

"Now I am able to satisfy my enjoyment of authors too long neglected as well as my appetite for books of the 'police procedurals' genre."

Billy's charitable gift annuity provides her with a yearly, fixed income for life, after which Perkins Braille & Talking Book Library will receive the remaining assets.

Thank you, Billy, for sharing the gift of reading with everyone through the library. 

Quotes and Captions included in the The Gift of Reading for Life article include -

Caption:  In today's economic climate of an anemic stock market, historically low interest rates and fewer company dividends, finding a steady source of income can be challenging. A life income gift may help you meet this challenge. By establishing a Perkins Charitable Gift Annuity, you can:
- Give a meaningful gift to Perkins School for the Blind
- Save on income, capital gains and estate taxes
- Earn a steady, secure source of income for life.

To learn more about a Perkins Charitable Gift Annuity or any other gift options, please contact us at 617-972-7284 or Ursula.Turano@Perkins.org.

Photo Caption:  Billy at Christmas time 2002


TOUCHING LIVES:
The documentary film, "Touching Lives: Portraits of Deaf-Blind People" premiered at Boston's Museum of Fine Arts, received glowing reviews, featured a number of Perkins graduates, and highlighted the need and particulars of communication for people who are deafblind.

Perkins hosted two screenings of the film on campus, followed by a panel discussion with members of the deafblind community and Jaimi Lard, Perkins spokesperson who was featured in the documentary.

Perkins is especially grateful to Mr. Paul Alizio for making a financial gift that paid for the equipment that made the showing possible and the translators who enabled people who were deaf or deafblind to "watch" the film. Thank you for touching the lives of Perkins students, staff and the general public. The community is richer for your generosity. 

Quotes and Captions included in the Touching Lives article include -

Quote:  "So far, people who are deafblind have lived in isolation.  The movie helps people learn not to be afraid of us." - Jaimi Lard
A moving testimonial to a friend. 


BEQUESTS:
The gifts and bequests of Perkins friends make it possible for the School to sustain the excellent quality of service that has become the Perkins hallmark over the past 173 years.

While a few foundations and government grants enable Perkins to initiate new programs, the consistent support of donors makes possible our daily academic, residential and home-based programs.

You can make a bequest to Perkins School for the Blind by creating a new will, adding a codicil to your current will, designating Perkins as a beneficiary of your retirement plan, or including Perkins in your revocable trust or other estate plan.

The following language may be used for an outright gift by will.
Specific dollar amount for unrestricted use:

I give (________________) dollars to the Perkins School for the Blind, a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Percentage amount for unrestricted use:
I give (__________) percent of the residue of my estate to the Perkins School for the Blind, a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

These examples may be tailored to best suit your interests. For more information please contact the Treasurer of the Corporation as follows:

Mr. Charles C. J. Platt, Treasurer
Planned Giving Office
Perkins School for the Blind
175 North Beacon Street
Watertown, Massachusetts 02472
(617) 972-7284

MEMORIAL & HONORARY GIFTS:
Honor a friend or family member through the Tribute Program at Perkins. Gifts made "in memory" commemorate the life of a loved one who has passed away, while a gift made "in honor" celebrates a special occasion such as a birthday, graduation, anniversary, or other important event.

A moving testimonial to a friend or loved one, tribute gifts support the important programs at Perkins and make a difference in the lives of students who are blind, deafblind or have multiple disabilities.

After we receive your tribute, we send a letter to the bereaved family or the person being honored to inform them of your kindness. We also send you a note to thank you for your generosity. The amount of your gift is always kept confidential.

All gifts are tax-deductible.

We are often asked what amount should be sent for a memorial or in honor gift. A good rule of thumb is to send what you would spend on flowers. Many gifts range from $50 to $500 or more. But, the only "right" amount is the one your heart tells you to send.

To make a tribute gift, please send your check to:

Perkins School for the Blind
175 North Beacon Street
Watertown, MA 02472
Attn:  Development Office, Tribute Program.

Or, call (617) 972-7328 to make a donation with your MasterCard or VISA.

Please be sure to include the full name and address of the person to whom you wish us to acknowledge your gift.

PHOTOGRAPHERS:  Bruce Blakeslee, David DelPoio, Frank Franke, Jennifer Jordan, John Kennard, Mark Ostow, Paul Taggert

BACK COVER:
Perkins School for the Blind was incorporated March 2, 1829. The school is an accredited member of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges and the National Association of Independent Schools. It is licensed by the Massachusetts Department of Education and Mental Retardation and by the Commonwealth's Office of Child Care Services.

Perkins School for the Blind admits students of any race, color, creed, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, national or ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, scholarship, and athletic and other school-administered programs.


THE LANTERN
Perkins School for the Blind
175 North Beacon Street
Watertown, MA 02472
Tel: 617.924.3434
Fax: 617.926.2027
www.Perkins.org
Editor: Robert Guthrie