Message from Bill Takeshita, O.D., F.A.A.O., F.c.O.V.D.

Dear Friends,

I would like to ask you for your help to support the Hearts for Sight Foundation. This is a non-profit organization that was established in April 2016 by Joseph Burton and Racquel Decipeda, two patients of mine who are visually impaired and highly motivated to help those with low vision to become healthy and employed. The Hearts for Sight Foundation will help people who are blind and low vision to become healthy and learn to use low vision aids so that they may gain employment.  In addition, the Hearts for Sight Foundation will have special programs for adults with diabetes, the leading cause of blindness in America.

The Hearts for Sight Foundation  has developed a strong board of directors and is now raising funds to be able to provide the following services for free to adults 18-years and older:

Nutrition: A healthy diet is one of the most critical components for a healthy life for people with diabetes. People with diabetes must learn which foods are healthy and how to prepare healthy meals. The Hearts for Sight Foundation will provide education on the foods that are healthy and which foods are not healthy. In addition, the attendees will receive cooking and food preparation classes so that they can make their own meals and not rely on fast food. There will also be special cooking techniques for people with low vision and who are blind.

Physical exercise: Exercise is another very important activity that people with vision impairment must perform each day. The Hearts for Sight Foundation has special exercises that a person with low vision may perform safely and independently. There will also be special exercises for those with diabetes.

Employment training: The Hearts for Sight Foundation will also provide individualized training to help clients to create an effective resume, learn how to communicate effectively during job interviews, and to also teach them to perform various job duties by using low vision aids, blindness related devices, and computer technology.

Vision enhancement: There are now many optical and computerized visual aids that allow people with low vision to read, write, and to perform job duties.  All clients of Hearts for Sight will receive these individualized demonstrations of low vision aids, computers, and assistive technology

Prevent blindness: Many people with diabetes do not even know that they have a disease to their eyes. We will ensure that the clients of Hearts for Sight will receive a dilated pupil examination to have the retina evaluated for retinal tears, detachments, and hemorrhages.

I hope that you will be able to make a tax deductible donation to the Hearts for Sight Foundation: tax ID 81-2457848.

Please feel free to call Joseph Burton at 760-443-8430 or Racquel Decipeda at 818-457-1482 if you have any questions. We truly appreciate your support very much!

With much appreciation,
Bill Takeshita, O.D., F.A.A.O., F.c.O.V.D.
Member of the board of directors, Hearts for Sight