Local Lions Clubs help to give CL woman the gift of improved sight

Kaari Kreitlow’s best Christmas gift didn’t come from Santa this year. Instead, members of Clear Lake’s three Lions Clubs delivered a gift which will greatly enhance her daily life-- a portable flat screen video magnifier.
Kreitlow was diagnosed with the juvenile form of Macular Degeneration in 1994 and although she is able to care for herself and young son, she is challenged by everyday activities which require more precision. For example, she is able to read newspaper headlines, but not the small type of the story.
During an examination last month, Kreitlow said she learned about “the Traveller+, a portable video magnifier made by Optelec. The device provides for 4 to 16 times magnification and weighs just 1.75 pounds, making it easy to take outside the house.
“I can’t remember the last time I read a menu,” Kreitlow told members of the Noon Lions, Evening Lions and Lions Pride groups which brought her the machine last week. “This is going to be wonderful.”
Each of the three Lions groups contributed $365 toward the approximate $1,200 cost and Kreitlow added another $100.
The clubs said they were pleased to be able to help a community member in need, especially a need which dealt with vision. Lions are an international network of 1.3 million men and women in 200 countries and geographic areas who work together to answer the needs that challenge communities around the world.
In 1925, Helen Keller addressed the Lions international convention in Cedar Point, Ohio. She challenged Lions to become “knights of the blind in the crusade against darkness.” From this time, Lions clubs have been actively involved in service to the blind and visually impaired.
Kreitlow said her condition has reached a plateau and is currently stable. Now, she is ready to dive into reading.
“I’m happy to be able to go to the library and get lots of books,” she said.