January 2026

Seeing Your Way Through Vision Loss

By Karen Bagnard
Posted: 12/18/2025

Vision loss comes in various forms and often doesn’t surface until our later years. This is challenging and frustrating, but there are abundant resources for all of us in this predicament. The go-to organization is the Braille Institute of Los Angeles, and all services are free.

Recently Lisa Lepore, Director of Braille Library Services, and Alex Welter, Outreach Liaison, offered a presentation at the Pasadena Village Community Connections program at Washington Park in Pasadena. This well-attended event was open to anyone interested in learning what help is available through the Braille Institute. It was eye-opening for many in attendance. Most did not know that only about 5% of Braille’s clients are blind; you do not need to be legally blind to receive services at the Braille Institute. You can register to participate in the Braille Library Services. Some services outside of the Library Services, do require a doctor’s referral. Mostly they work with people who have varying forms of vision loss or distortion. In addition, Braille Library Services helps anyone with reading challenges due to other disabilities.

Those of us who are legally blind are only too aware of the importance of learning how to manage our lives with vision loss. It was a “game-changer” for me when I began working with Braille. They have been essential in keeping my life whole. Other than driving, I have been able to continue doing all the things I love to do. I just do them differently.

Marlane Forsberg, a Villager dealing with glaucoma, told me she was “delighted to know that she could benefit from the library services” even though her glaucoma is well-controlled. She was one of the first to sign up for these services at this event.

John Merriam, another legally blind Pasadena Villager, not only benefits from Braille services but still runs 5Ks in the 70-90-year-old category, and his last marathon was in 2020, just before his vision loss. He is a great example of resilience and perseverance.

Bill Wishner, a retired medical doctor and Villager also attended the meeting. He shared with everyone, “I used to refer my patients to the Braille Institute, and now I find myself needing their services.”

In addition, John Merriam and I were invited to become Braille Ambassadors, which I have gladly accepted. This volunteer position allows me to help anyone seeking assistance from the Braille Institute Library Services or Braille services. While some situations may require a doctor referral, I can help anyone interested in applying for services. If you have questions or know someone who may be interested, please let them know to call Braille directly or contact me at [email protected]. I can email registration forms for Braille Library Services.

We are very fortunate to live in an area that has abundant resources for so many issues related to aging. Vision loss and distortion can happen anytime but often in our elder years. Braille Institute of Los Angeles can help us see our way through vision loss.