How BVRS' Low Vision Clinic Helped an Artist and Poet Continue Doing What She Loves

Dolores Urbank, 81, pictured left, has written poetry and painted pictures her entire life. She has been featured in the book, The Best Poems & Poets of 2007. Her painting, Tea Time Chatter, won second place in a state competition. Her poem about Flight 93 will be on display when the Flight 93 Memorial is completed, and she is completing a collection of her poetry and art titled, My Pen Likes to Talk.

Mrs. Urbank and her husband, John, live in Whitehall where they raised their two daughters and where she now reads her poetry to her great grandchildren and teaches them how to paint. And so, when Mrs. Urbank lost her vision in 2007 to macular degeneration and glaucoma, she felt isolated and consumed by grief.

 “Writing poetry and painting come from feelings deep inside,” she said. “I didn’t know how I was going to live with the loss.”

Her ophthalmologist, Dr. Ronald Salvitti of Southwestern Pennsylvania Eye Center in W

ashington, PA., referred her to Dr. Erica Hacker at BVRS’ Low Vision Clinic.

Dr. Hacker prescribed telescopic spectacles to enhance Mrs. Urbank’s vision at intermediate distances for painting. She prescribed prism glasses so Mrs. Urbank could read her poetry

projects images onto a television or computer screen, for reading and writing at home. Amy Rebovich, Occupational Therapist and Certified Low Vision Therapist, taught Mrs. Urbank how to use the aids.

“I can’t express how this has improved my life,” Mrs. Urbank said. “Now I can continue doing the things I love. I can be with my family and not be a burden or feel left out. I can never repay Dr. Hacker and Amy for what they have given back to me.”

Above, Amy Rebovich, Occupational Therapist, shows Mrs. Urbank how to use optical aids.

Right, Mrs. Urbank uses a CCTV to paint. In the background is Mrs. Urbank's painting, Tea Time Chatter. The CCTV has a camera that projects anything beneath it onto a large computer screen. The image can be enlarged, or the background color changed for better contrast. With the CCTV, people with vision loss can read a book, read their mail, watch themselves sign a check, or other uses such as with Mrs. Urbank, paint.

Below right, On the CCTV, John and Dolores Urbank view a replica of the plaque with the poem, "The Spirit of Freedom" that they presented to the Flight 93 Memorial museum. 

The Spirit of Freedom

 
The Constitution was made for us
to keep our faith and put in trust
The freedom of press and all the rest
and to our leaders who stood the test
To keep young America highest of all
Freedom for one and freedom for all.

To revive the spirit like before
and not to fear another war
The hope of man will burn the flame
For black or white no matter what name
Our hope for the future must come from within
Treasurers of gold to pass to our kin.

The Constitution has given to us
the right to change and keep our trust
The freedom of speech and the right to teach
and to look for goals I know well reach
To help keep America highest of all
Freedom and peace for one for all.

“I dedicated this poem to the heroes of Flight 93 for the bravery and courage they showed in the last moments of their lives. Though there was terror in the sky, it didn’t stop them from doing what they had to do, knowing they would not survive. They prayed. Their spirit  lives on in the hearts of all Americans.” – Dolores Urbank

At the twilight of dawn
rows of aspen
line distant mountains.
Thin veins of grey
hovers in silence
then, disappears
as the sun’s tongue
licks between the limbs
of the trees.
Cascades of gold leaves
fall on silhouettes and shadows
of silent ground
at dawn's awakening.

The blush on summer’s face
makes me feel warm inside
as I watch Autumn leaves
blazing with color
Limbs stretching out into the wind
flaunting her dress of many colors
patiently waiting to be noticed.
The wind whistles and begins to blow
Trembling leaves turning in all directions
gusty winds sweeping leaves over the hillside
then dancing to the rhythm of the wind
soon, autumn leaves begin to change
deep purple, gold, cinnamon, red wine
blanketing the earth with many colors
keeping warm seeds for Spring
the season of rebirth
at last autumn trees shaken by the wind
stand alone no longer skirted with color
no longer waiting to be noticed but
humble, bending low, ashamed of nakedness
the nectar is gone
but, summer's blush lingers on.

The Death of Summer

Embrace Each Day

Embraced
By the freshness
of each day
I feel revitalized
with an overflow of love
and a grateful feeling
for an opportunity to challenge
another day

Show Me The Way

A quiet wind touched me
and dawn knelt beside me
when I prayed to the Lord
give me peace on this day
I feel soft white lilies
and tasted the fragrance
of this holy chapel
when a light came through
the stained glass windows
giving peace in my heart
and to show me the way.
Hear the bells ringing
He is coming today
kneel down beside me
and let’s start to pray.
I see the light Lord
that’s shining so bright
I know that you touched me
when I saw the light.
Show me the way Lord
just show me the way
kneel down beside me
and let’s start to pray.

A Summer Sunrise

Through tired eyes
I barely see
what goes on
in this world.
Colors fade
and I can’t find
little things
that mean a lot to me.
My mind forgets
and then remembers
things that make me feel good
things that make me happy
Outside in my garden
the smell of lilacs
Fills my heart
with jars of memories.
I hear birds splashing
in the bird bath
cooling off hot feathers
in the soft summer breeze.
I see butterflies
with velvet wings
hovering over the garden
and flittering above the roses.
Last, but not least,
white flowers with red fruit
Strawberries plump and sweet
A taste of a fresh treat
Though I don’t always see
what goes on in this world
my heart feels the warmth
of a Summer sunrise
deep inside of me.