VIC’s Origins
With the dedication of interested professionals and community leaders, VIC was incorporated as a non-profit on September 1, 2006, granted 501(c)(3) status from the Internal Revenue Service in June 2007, and started providing services for people with vision loss in Central Washington in October 2008. Four local optometrists, Dr. Dale Graf, Dr. Byron Thomas, Dr. Christopher Babin and Dr. Jennifer Crown perform low vision evaluations at VIC’s low vision clinic. VIC is staffed by a Clinic Director and the support staff of the clinic and the clinic store is comprised of volunteers.
Help Brings Hope
Adjusting to vision loss caused by eye diseases such as macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and retinitis pigmentosa brings about life-changing challenges to individuals and their families. An increasing number of people worldwide and in our community are affected by vision loss. VIC was formed to meet the needs of these individuals and their families.
The Need
The most recent statistics of severe visual impairment in Washington State document 3,834 people with severe vision impairment who reside in Yakima County and 575 in Kittitas County (“Severely Visually Impaired Persons of Washington State: County Distribution by Age Ranges, 2000,” published by Washington State Department of Services for the Blind in 2000). In recent years, the number of people who have vision loss caused by diseases such as diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration has risen nationwide, indicating increasing needs for vision rehabilitation services in the future.
In November/December 2007, VIC sent a survey to all 40 eye care physicians in Yakima and Kittitas Counties. 29 eye care physicians returned the survey. The survey results indicated that these doctors all together saw over 3,000 patients with eye diseases, which are likely to cause permanent vision loss, in the year 2007 alone.
Funding
Each year our organization hosts the Dinner in the Dark as a fundraiser to support our services.
Services are further supported by individual donations and payments from insurance companies for services provided.
Staff
Heather Hough, Clinic Director, joined VIC in
Board Members
Christopher J. Babin, OD, Board President
Chris is a practicing Optometric Physician. Seeing a need in his community and having an interest in working to meet the needs of patients with low vision prompted Dr. Babin to collaborate with other dedicated professionals to establish this program. He received a BA in Zoology from the University of Maine. He went on to the New England College of Optometry where he earned a Doctor of Optometry degree and completed a 1-year fellowship in Primary Eye Care. He works at Cascade Eye Center.
Didi Schibig, President-Elect
Christa Owen, Treasurer
Christa graduated from Central Washington University in 1998 with a B.S. in Accounting. She is a Certified Public Accountant. She got involved with VIC in August 2008 after her eye doctor, Dr. Dale Graf, talked to her about volunteering and asked her to become the treasurer of the VIC Board.
Shawn Brazil, Secretary
Byron Thomas, O.D. F.A.A.O., Board Member
Byron has practiced as an Optometric Physician for 53 years. He is a graduate of Pacific University College of Optometry. His practice career started in the USAF as a primary care eye physician for three years. He founded Family Eye Clinic and completed 41 years of private practice. He is now retired. Dr. Thomas is a Past President of the Optometric Physicians of Washington and was awarded the OD of the year award. He has been and continues to be active in many volunteer organizations. He enjoys working with seniors and those who have limited or low vision. He is a founding member of the VIC Board of Directors as well as continuing to practice by providing services as a volunteer doctor for VIC. Dr. Thomas is married to Billie, has 2 children, 4 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. He is excited to see VIC support all those who need care for vision loss or low vision.
Dr. Jennifer Crown, OD, Board Member
Joining VIC in 2014, Jennifer is a 2006 graduate of Illinois College of Optometry. She completed a residency at Jonathan M. Wainwright VA Medical Center, staying on as teaching staff until relocating to Ellensburg. Dr. Crown now lives in Sammamish, however she continues to travel to VIC to volunteer. She loves to hang out with her husband John and enjoys reading, running, and making bread.
Lisa George, Board Member
Louis Ackey, Board Member