Sierra Services
for the Blind and Visually Impaired
offers full services, at no charge, to clients in the foothill communities of Nevada and Placer
Counties and beyond.
We
help blind and visually impaired individuals stay in their homes and out of institutions.
Dedication by Dave Marsh, System Architect
Uncle Ben died when I was eleven. He had lost the sight in his left eye
and one rainy night, in San Francisco, stepped off the curb to walk out to
an approaching street car when he was struck and killed by an automobile he
did not see.
For many years, my father operated his laboratory across Howard Street from
Lighthouse for the Blind and developed many friends there. Occasionally one
of us would see a blind person—usually a new employee—having a problem and
offer to help. Usually a re-orientation was all that was needed. The loud
bell on San Francisco’s traffic signals at that time, in conjunction with
the sound of heavy traffic, allowed the blind to cross the busiest streets
safely.
By the time Dad reached seventy-three, he had lost the sight in one eye, and
the other became so poor, he had to give up riding his bicycle through
Golden Gate Park. Shortly thereafter, he became totally blind for two years
before he died.
In the sixth grade, my daughter formed a neighborhood friendship with two
other girls, one of whom’s eyesight was seriously impaired and getting
worse. Many years later, all three are teaching in public schools in their
own specialty and although living miles apart still manage to get together
once a year and correspond by telephone and email.
In 1995, I had the privilege of meeting Bob Montgomery. Bob was an
exceptional man. We soon learned we had both been Word War II pilots, he
in the Navy and I in the Army Air Corps. Whenever Bob heard something on
the radio about airplanes, or something else, he could not visualize, he
would ask me to describe it to him. It never took much of an
explanation—usually a hint was all required. Over time I learned Bob was
quite self sufficient. He walked around Downieville to do most of his
shopping and had a friend who occasionally drove him to Grass Valley or Reno for other
needs.
Over time, I learned Bob was active on the Sierra County Grand Jury, serving
several terms, including one as chairman. He was also president of Sierra
Services for the Blind’s Board of Directors. Bob was a Client who gave back
much more than he took from Sierra Services, and in life, for that matter.
His contributions to that organization are legend. His recent loss was a
blow to all who knew him.
It is in memory of and in admiration for these individuals and others who have
walked among us in darkness, but shed light along the way for others, I have willing undertaken the task
of developing this Website.