The May 1 episode of Visions of BVA is now live via Apple Podcasts and Spotify, podcast host Steve Baskis announced this week. In this most recent episode, Steve is joined by BVA National Secretary Tracy Ferro and National Membership Coordinator Teresa “Terry” Galgano. Together, the three explore the evolution of BVA.
Tracy and Terry begin describing the humble beginnings of the organization in supporting combat-blinded World War II veterans exclusively. They then move to BVA’s modern-day mission of serving all veterans experiencing vision loss, including those with age-related blindness, vision loss due to Traumatic Vision Injury, and those with low vision who are not yet legally blind.
The audience of the current episode will hear moving personal stories, including Terry’s seven-year journey to legal blindness and Tracy’s frontline experiences at Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Blind Rehabilitation Centers. The episode touches on the following more specific areas of interest:
- BVA’s rich history and its Congressional charter
- The services provided by VA blind rehabilitation programs and how to access them
- Assistive technology and adaptive tools that restore independence
- Emotional and psychological realities of adjusting to vision loss
- Peer support and mentorship opportunities for veterans
- How low vision veterans can now become full members of BVA
- Outreach efforts and community building for blind and low vision veterans
Listeners will gain insight into how BVA continues to empower, educate, and uplift veterans through advocacy, community, and innovative support services. The episode concludes with a call to action to learn how one can become a BVA member or otherwise get involved–with special emphasis on asking listeners to consider registering for the BVA 80th National Convention July 5-11, 2025, in Dallas, Texas.
