Just in time for the 93rd La Fiesta de los Vaqueros Tucson Rodeo, a small group of volunteers has a big vision to support the visually impaired: They are looking to stage sold-out shindigs at the Tucson Society of the Blind Rodeo concerts on Thursday, Feb. 15, and Friday, Feb. 16.
“The money we raise at this major fundraiser all goes to Tucson Society of the Blind programs for the blind and visually impaired. These programs promote self-esteem and independence and get people out to do activities they might otherwise never do,” said concert chairwoman Barbara Macpherson, who is also vice president for the Tucson Society of the Blind.
The 80-member grassroots nonprofit organization provides a community of support through weekly meetings at 10 a.m. Tuesdays at Christ Presbyterian Church, 6565 E. Broadway.
Meetings highlight educational and social resources, provide emotional support and feature bingo games, crafts, luncheons and guest speakers on topics ranging from the latest in research and technology for the visually impaired to methods for coping with loss of vision and living your best life.
The group also works with other local agencies and nonprofits such as Southern Arizona Association for the Visually Impaired to facilitate additional resources and connections in the community. In addition, the group offers a variety of outings and field trips for people with impaired vision.
“If you can’t see, you need to have something that you can touch, so at the Reid Park Zoo we get to touch some of the animals, and when we go to the Presidio Museum we get to see how they made tortillas and did weaving. All of our field trips are very hands-on,” said Macpherson, who lives with Retinitis pigmentosa, a disease that causes retinal degeneration .
Macpherson said the organization is invaluable to those with vision loss and their families, particularly since it offers opportunities to share positive coping mechanisms and counteract the isolation that often accompanies loss of vision.
“ When you are with other people who are visually impaired, you don’t feel so alone. We support each other and share resources about better ways to do things so we can remain independent and the camaraderie is really very special,” Macpherson said.
