Seminar: October 18, 2008
The Austin Retina Associates partnered with national non-profit organization the Macula Vision Research Foundation (MVRF) to educate the Austin community about aged related macular degeneration and its effects on those with the disease and the people in their lives. The seminar was hosted at the J.J. Pickle Research Campus.
On the docket for the evening was Lea Bramnick, the executive director of the MVRF, present to tell attendees about the organization, its goals and its fundraising efforts that go entirely towards education and funding groundbreaking research in the search for a cure.
Dr. James W. Dooner was also on hand to present the attentive audience with his medical perspective. The doctor spoke to the crowd about a number of recent research breakthroughs and discussed how that information might translate to treatments and strategies that those affected with the disease could expect in the coming months and years.
Deborah Kogler, LDO talked about declaration of independence for persons who are visually impaired. Often times a difficult issue to navigate, Deborah explained the process in a step-by-step fashion. At the conclusion of her presentation, she also paused to take questions for the audience to help clarify the matter.
The final speaker was Kathleen Jones, who came to share her personal experience with macular degeneration and speak about how to thrive with the disease. Jones emphasized that while macular degeneration can be trying at times, both for those with the disease and their loved ones, it is possible to live a full, complete and satisfying life with the right information and a stable support system.