BVA extends kudos to members from the Richmond Chapter of the Mid-Atlantic Regional Group and a strongly supportive cast from VA as they commemorated Blinded Veterans Day on March 28 at the Richmond, Virginia VA Medical Center.

“It was a very successful and fun-filled day,” said Richmond Chapter member Vaneada S. Harvey, Ph.D., known also as Dr. Vee. “Our chapter president, Stevie Bradley, welcomed us and expressed excitement about the event being what he called a purpose-driven occasion.”

Stevie’s excitement had genuine merit as the well-organized and well-planned occasion was a collaborative effort of Richmond Chapter members and the Medical Center’s Visual Impairment Services Team (VIST), Recreational Therapy Department, and Center for Development and Civic Engagement.

According to Dr. Vee, BVA information, T-shirts, and hats were onsite and available for purchase throughout the event, and several BVA applications were provided to prospective members. VIST Coordinator Sherri Geiger was pleased by the way the event exemplified the resilience and determination of blinded veterans while Optometrist Dr. Michael Peterson enjoyed what seemed to be a higher morale than usual of his blinded and low vision patients on this special day.

“We had a wonderful time, and it was a great way of bringing attention to the blinded veterans here at the Richmond VA Medical Center,” Sherri later said.  

Chief Recreational Therapist Sharron Hicks kicked it all off with a reading of House Resolution 80 from the 111th Congress, issued in March 2010 and signed by President Barack Obama just two weeks later on April 7—now 13 years ago to the day. Besides acknowledging BVA’s humble beginnings and storied history, the resolution calls on all Americans to remember blinded veterans on March 28 in future years.

“The highlight of the day was the scavenger hunt,” said Dr. Vee. “In a word, it was awesome.”

Planned and organized by rehabilitation services team members Greg Chittum and Sara Jennings, the hunt creatively encouraged friendly competition while affording those who participated the opportunity to sharpen their navigation skills. The activity involved teams of 2-3 blind or low vision veterans sent out on a timed journey to see who could follow clues and instructions with the goal of locating street signs at various locations throughout the hospital.

“Our Richmond members can’t say enough about the experience of spending time reconnecting, reaching out to potential new members, and enjoying the spirit of competition together through the scavenger hunt challenge,” said Dr. Vee. “Stevie closed the event by telling us it was a big win!”