edited by Sharon Strzalkowski
The announcement of products and services in this column does not represent an endorsement by the American Council of the Blind, its officers, or staff. Listings are free of charge for the benefit of our readers. “The ACB Braille Forum” cannot be held responsible for the reliability of the products and services mentioned. To submit items for this column, send a message to [email protected], or phone the national office at 1-800-424-8666, and leave a message in Sharon Lovering’s mailbox. Information must be received at least two months ahead of publication date.
Accessible CPR Video
The University of Arizona Sarver Heart Center and Arizona State Schools for the Deaf and the Blind (ASDB) have developed a chest-compression-only CPR video for those in the deaf and hard of hearing community. The video provides accessible information on vital skills using American Sign Language, voice-over, and captions.
The video was made possible by ASDB, which provided the resources and funding production. To view the video, go to https://heart.arizona.edu/heart-health/learn-cpr/learn-chest-compression-only-cpr-asl.
Pre-Clinical Trial for New Laser to Treat AMD
Lutronic Vision recently launched a pre-clinical trial to determine the optimal setting for its R:GEN™ laser for the treatment of the dry form of age-related macular degeneration. This study is being conducted at the University of Southern California with Stan Louie, PharmD, professor of pharmacy, as the lead investigator. At the conclusion of this study, Lutronic Vision plans to begin clinical evaluation of the R:GEN™ laser’s ability to treat dry AMD.
Phase 2 Trial for New Microbial Drug
Lakewood-Amedex Inc. recently entered into a collaboration agreement with Nassau-based Foot and Ankle International (Bahamas) to conduct two Phase 2 clinical trials for its topically applied Nu-3 antimicrobial, used to eliminate infection and promote wound healing in patients with chronic diabetic foot ulcers (cDFU). The trial will be under the direction of Dr. Daniel Johnson, who is the chief researcher of Foot and Ankle International, and an expert on the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers.
Nu-3, which belongs to a proprietary class of antimicrobials called Bisphosphocins™, was first used as a solution to treat infected diabetic foot ulcers for seven days in a Phase 1/2 clinical trial completed in late 2017. Results showed promising trends with median wound area reduction of 65.5% in the 2% Nu-3 treatment arm, versus 29.9% in the placebo arm.
Lakewood-Amedex intends to conduct a Phase 2 clinical trial this year using this compound to treat chronic diabetic foot ulcers, with a 28-day treatment period using escalating concentrations of Nu-3.
No Candle in the Window Retreat This Year
Due to a sudden and unexpected change at our usual venue, we will not be able to hold a Candle in the Window retreat in 2019. Wooded Glen is no longer a retreat-conference center; it has been sold, and will be converted into a substance abuse treatment center. We hope to hold a Candle retreat in 2020, and we welcome any suggestions of possible locations. If you have ideas or suggestions, please contact Kathy Szinnyey or Becky Davidson (contact information below).
Kathy Szinnyey
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (502) 759-1288
Becky Davidson
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (914) 393-6613
Remembering Camp Bloomfield
My friend Marcia and I, known then as Marcy, started attending Camp Bloomfield in 1956. We joyously slept in Army tents on cots on a dirt floor in the area later known as the playground. We sang and stomped our feet in a World War II mess hall; chanted “We are table number one, two, three” in turn as loud as we wanted until we lost our voices, and sang the song “Cookie, You’re a Part of Camp Life Too.” We didn’t have the swimming pool yet, but I do remember the session when David McCallum (in “The Man from U.N.C.L.E.”) came to talk to us at a campfire, which was far on the other side of the mess hall. We held our dances at the mess hall, and chats with Norm (the camp director). How I loved Norm! I revered Norm so much that I went back as a 33-year-old as a counselor, just to be near him for three whole months. Everyone remembers something special about Bloomfield. I hope you’ll share your stories with me. Signed, Ojocion Ingram, [email protected]
New from NBP
Now available from National Braille Press is “Little Baseball,” by Brad Herzog and Doug Bowles. It’s a print-and-braille board book for ages preschool and up. This year, Major League Baseball’s opening day was March 28th – the earliest ever! Share “Little Baseball” with your little slugger and help him or her learn the basics of America’s favorite game.
Newly available is a brand-new edition of “Humpty Dumpty and Other Touching Rhymes,” with descriptive text and illustrations by Shirley Keller and Irma Goldberg. It is available as a large print, tactile and uncontracted braille book for ages preschool to 9. Each classic nursery rhyme appears in large print and braille on the left side of the page, with a tactile illustration on the right.
Craving more old favorites for your kids or grandkids? Check out “The Runaway Bunny” by Margaret Wise Brown and Clement Hurd. It’s available in contracted braille for ages preschool and up. First published in 1942, generations of readers have fallen in love with this story.
“Hidden Figures: The True Story of Four Black Women and the Space Race” by Margot Lee Shetterly and Laura Freeman is now available in contracted UEB for ages 4 to 10. This is the story of four black women who helped NASA launch men into space; it’s based on the New York Times bestselling book and the Academy Award-nominated movie.
Also new are “Reach for the Stars Graphic Overlays,” by SAS Curriculum Pathways. It has 12 tactile overlays (for the iBook) in EBAE braille. Download the free iBook onto your iPad, attach these 12 tactile overlays, and blast off into a totally astronomical learning experience! Early learners will be able to explore astronomy like never before.
For more information, contact National Braille Press at 1-800-548-7323, or visit www.nbp.org/ic/nbp/publications/index.html.
Author’s 2nd Book on BARD
ACB member Peter Altschul’s book “Breaking It Down and Connecting the Dots: Creating Common Ground Where Contention Rules” is now available on BARD as DBC16304. It has a reading time of 6 hours, 53 minutes. This is a book of essays by a motivational speaker, exploring topics ranging from psychology, sports, and diversity to family life, politics, and Christianity. Includes personal stories, political analysis, and satire.