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| District 25 F Vision Van Program
The primary initial purpose of this program is to provide for the early detection of possible eye problems. Later, we plan to add hearing screening, diabetes screening, and other health screenings to this program. (Work is already underway to develop those aspects of the program, but details are not ready for release, at this time.)
By using a mobile vision screening clinic, we will be able to screen a wide variety of people who may be at risk. Our Vision Van Program will allow us to take our exam equipment to the people, regardless of their location or mobility, and at no cost to those being screened. It will cover every age group from “Diapers to Depends” as someone mentioned during the presentation. The screening will focus on identifying those individuals who have, or show early signs of: eye diseases (such as Macular Degeneration, Diabetic Retinopathy and Glaucoma), vision disorders (such as Near-sightedness, Far-sightedness, and Lazy Eye), and, in some instances, other more serious health problems that may show up during a comprehensive vision screening and the risk assessment that is done prior to the screening. Any individuals who appear to have problems will be referred to an appropriate health care professional for further evaluation and treatment and/or verification of the vision screening results.
How will we screen?
As a tool to help us achieve the goals of this program, the Lions of 25 F are currently in the process of purchasing a vehicle that will allow us to provide mobile vision screening.
We did look at the possibility of purchasing a new vehicle, but we felt that the initial purchase price of nearly $200,000 was cost prohibitive at this stage. That price did not include the cost of the vision screening equipment, which will run somewhere in the neighborhood of an additional $50,000. Fortunately, we were able to locate a used vehicle that had previously been custom built as a mobile classroom that will require only minimal modifications to suit our needs. The vehicle is a 1995, but it only had 3,000 miles, and its price tag was only $34,000. The used vehicle was better equipped for our needs in some respects, and perhaps not quite as well in others when compared to the brand new unit. However, the overall package is very good, and very usable with little modifications needed, and certainly is a much more viable option with which to begin our program. The unit was on display at our Fall Cabinet Meeting and received excellent reviews by all who saw it.
We are currently estimating that we will be able to do comprehensive vision screening in District 25 F for about $10,000 - $15,000 per year (or approximately $200 per club per year, based on 70 clubs). This would include the cost of fuel, insurance, and maintenance on the vehicle. (Actual costs will vary by the number of miles driven, the actual price of fuel, insurance costs, and license plate fees, and the actual maintenance required.)
Later, we should be able to add other health screenings to the program at no additional operational costs – the same fuel should be able to take all of the equipment and screeners to each community. (Of course we will still need to initially spend some money to make modifications to the vehicle and purchase additional health screening equipment with which to work. But the ongoing expenses should not be drastically affected.)
To further expedite this program, we are partnering with PBI – Prevent Blindness Indiana, a non-profit agency that has been working with the Indianapolis Downtown Lions Club for some time. They will provide us with free training to do vision screenings and have offered to loan us enough equipment to begin doing vision screening, until we can actually purchase our own equipment. PBI has done an outstanding job of doing these vision screenings in the Marion County area, but was looking for a way to serve the other areas of the state as well. (Currently, PBI does not have anything like our planned mobile vision screening clinic.) We feel that a team of Lions Volunteers, coupled with PBI Staff, will be able to do an excellent job of providing Vision Screening in the communities that are served by the Lions of District 25 F.
In short, we have the opportunity to provide comprehensive vision screening to the public of all ages in our district for a very minimal cost to us, as Lions, and at no cost to those being screened.
Yes, we do need your financial and physical support for this program.
We need to complete our purchase of the vehicle and later, we will also need to purchase vision screening equipment for it. We will also need to make some very minor modifications to the vehicle – for example paint and logos to clearly identify it as a Lions Program of 25 F (what a great Public Relations tool!), and later - a hearing booth and some different furniture for our vision screening needs.
We also need volunteers to become screeners and volunteers that can drive the vehicle to the locations where it will be needed. (Yes, we will probably twist our drivers’ arms to become screeners as well – but not to the point of breaking…we still need them to be able to drive.)
Now, aren’t you glad I gave you the “short” version?
Respectfully submitted by VDG Lion Carl Sharp |