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Adult "Visionaries" Support Group
Adult “Visionaries” Support Group
A unique name for a unique group of individuals, starting with only five members in 1988, the adult evening group has grown to over 35 members today. Word of mouth has been our main avenue of growth over the years and with it has come better transportation opportunities. Younger, more independent and active than the senior group, the Visionaries (a name they chose in 1999) are always eager to share new interests and opportunities for the visually impaired community.
Currently we have 30-35 active Visionaries meeting once a month (September through June) from 6:00-7:30 PM at the DIO. Members are from the greater Detroit area and eastern suburbs. The current volunteer facilitators are Nancy Pilorget and Judi Dara. They are assisted by Friends of Vision volunteers. We have general discussion meetings, speakers, and field trips.
The group was always interested in the car show fundraiser, which at that time was called Eyes on the Classics. In 1989, the group passed out literature at the show. In 1990, working with Doug Stair, the volunteer Chair of the Vehicle Selection Committee and GM designer, Glen Durmisevich the group started to judge a class of cars at the Sunday event. Wearing white gloves and guided by sighted volunteer designers from Ford, GM and then Chrysler, the Visionaries judged each car in the class by “touch”, voted on their “favorite” in that class, and presented their own crystal award to the owner. This aspect of having visually impaired judges at our event continues to make EyesOn Design a truly unique car show.
The latest and most exciting trip, to date, was on Wednesday evening, June 2, 2010 when the Tigers played the Cleveland Indians. We wrote a grant to the Tiger Foundation and received 35 complimentary tickets. The group is still talking about this historic game. Umpire, Jim Joyce, blew a call at first base with two out in the ninth inning and cost our Tigers’ pitcher, Armando Galarraga, a perfect game - AND WE WERE THERE! Now you maybe wondering how a group of blind and visually impaired adults are able to enjoy or experience a baseball game. We had sighted volunteers giving a play-by-play, plus many of our members, who are devoted baseball fans, brought their own small radios.
Working with this group is truly inspiring. Our facilitators and volunteers always say they get more out these meetings and experiences than the members. These adults are not held back by a perceived “handicap” and enjoy each day. We should also note that most of the visually impaired walking for the DIO in the Free Press Marathon are members of the Visionaries support group. (See Steps for Sight)
To join the Visionaries either as a group member or a volunteer, call 313.824.4710 and ask for Judi Dara or Nancy Pilorget or email the DIO at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
