Research - Rehabilitation - Re-Employment

Sgt. Shaft 11/19/2001

Dear Sgt. Shaft:
This letter is in regards to the need and direction of the planning for a replacement facility for the VA Hines Blind Rehabilitation Center (BRC) located in Illinois. This, a facility which is more than 73 years old, currently serves blinded veterans in 14 states. The opinion of the professionals, service organizations such as the Military Order of the Purple Heart and veteran consumers, such as myself, have strongly supported an independent replacement facility for a number of years. Several years ago, the VA attempted to inappropriately combine a plan for a BRC replacement facility jointly with the Spinal Cord Injury Center and the Traumatic Brain Injured Center. After announcing the drawbacks and the illogic of combining these diverse disabled populations to the VA, the issue was referred to a planning group called CARES (Capital Asset Realignment for Enhanced Services) Project Team for study. CARES was also charged to resolve the entire VA's new constructions. 

The CARES Committee, through its extensive research, produced a plan with four options. In all four of them the CARES Committee specifically recommended that the Hines BRC be provided a "Stand-Alone" replacement facility. We were jubilant with CARES recommendations and the careful review of the critical issues facing the blinded veterans, not and in the future. However, in spite of the fact that at the onset, we were told that the CARES decision was binding, we were later informed that regardless of the CARES recommendations, the VA still plans to build a dual facility. It is interesting to note, before the CARES research was completed, VISN 12 had already proposed a plan of a joint facility indicating to the stakeholders that it was the only alternative. As a blinded veteran of the Korean War who underwent blind rehabilitation training at Hines in 1952, it is my opinion that this decision if enacted would not be in the best interest of blinded veterans and the United States tax payers.

The planners must be acutely cognizant that the blind person requires unique and special instructions, some more than the others. The newly blind required an environment undisturbed by any extraneous influences during the nascent stages of training. It is difficult to walk in a blind person's shoes unless one understands what the blind person is experiencing as he or she is undergoing rehabilitation. At all times, it is a strenuous process of learning, to accurately perceive the environment in which one travels and inculcates the skills of coping. One has to adapt and master the rudimentary skills to become independent and regain one's confidence as well as self-esteem. The comprehensive BRC program encompasses a multitude of adjustment skills, including living, communication and manual skills to overcome the complexities of the encumbrances of blindness.

It is very discouraging to many blinded veterans and their many supporters that the VA architectural plan for a replacement facility may not be based on the intrinsic needs of the BRC or the blinded veterans. We, who were recipients of the VA blind rehabilitation services, are fully cognizant that the tremendous success of the program depends on an independent "Stand-Alone" facility that is significantly separated in every aspect from other programs.

Based on my rehabilitation experiences in the older facility in 1952, the BRC training regimen requires full day concentration, five days a week. The veteran's evening and, for some, even the week ends are often filled with diligent homework and practice of the skills learned each day. Any distractions be those going through medical treatment within the rehabilitation area will ultimate compromise the program. Therefore, any abrogation of an optimal BRC physical plant for a highly acclaimed Blind Center which has been ignored for over twenty years would simply be unconscionable.

The Hines Blind Rehabilitation Center has had a tremendous positive affect on thousands of blinded veterans. It has been known for almost 54 years of leadership and excellence in serving our blinded veterans with phenomenal success. Also historically, it was the site where much of the refinement in long cane travel technique emerged with such significance that it impacted blind programs nationally and internationally, enhancing the standards in the treatment of the blind. The results should be reasons enough as to why the CARES Committee's research should not be annulled. The Hines BRC should have a state-of-the-art, stand-alone replacement facility to serve our increasing number of aging blinded veterans as well as those who are still in their career years. The Hines BRC has been the pioneering program and the gateway to all VA Blind Rehabilitation Services and became world renowned; as such, it certainly deserves to maintain its cornerstone status for emerging programs.

Steve M.
Chicago, IL

Dear Steve:
I have personally shared your concerns with Anthony Principi, Secretary of Veterans Affairs. As stated previously in my column I agree with you that the BRC must have a free standing facility and be self-contained; commingling of services and program resources should not exist. Lessons in long cane foot travel is arduous and requires many hours of skilled professional supervision in space that is unencumbered with extraneous distractions. Rehabilitation programs for the blind are conducted in a contracted period, making it necessary for a more intense rehabilitation schedule in a shorter period of time. I am aware that past efforts to combine facilities for various disabled groups have resulted in failure, and have been discredited. It is essential to follow the recommendations of the Commission of Accreditation for Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) submitted in its May 2001 report. As a result of the aging veteran population and the current involvement against terrorists, it is anticipated that there will be casualties affecting our military personnel, which will also affect BRC's.

Send letters to Sgt. Shaft, c/o John Fales, P.O. Box 65900, Washington, D.C. 20035-5900; fax to 301-622-3330; call 202-462-4430 or email sgtshaft@bavf.org.

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