Out Of Sight Fun
Reprinted with the permission from the May, 2008 issue of "The Community Weekly" of Richmond, Virginia.
The Virginia Workers for the Blind (VAWB) was founded in Staunton, in 1919, with the motto "We help the blind help themselves." The charter members consisted chiefly of the alumni of the Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind, their friends and relatives.
Burkeville Lodge for the Blind - Photo courtesy "The Community Weekly"
The VAWB is headquartered in Richmond, with active chapters in Richmond, Virginia and Northern Virginia. We provide recreational, social and cultured opportunities for blind and vision impaired people in the Richmond area and throughout the state. Tours and day trips are arranged to historical sites, theatrical performances, museums and other points of interest, but the crown jewel of the VAWB, is the Burkeville Lodge for the Blind, in Burkeville, Virginia. Rooms and meals are kept affordable by donations and the fundraising efforts of the VAWB.
The lodge is a rare experience for its blind and vision-impaired clients. It's one place where they're the majority. All of the amenities and activities are designed to maximize independence. Railings guide the way to well-stocked fishing pond so that blind people can be alone in nature. Most people take something that simple for granted, but it isn't always possible for the folks at Burkeville.
The Burkeville Lodge Swimming Pool - Photo courtesy "The Community Weekly
Beyond the terrific food, sparkling blue swimming pool, exercise room, voice adapted computer and tape library, Burkeville is a warm embracing community. After meeting there time and again, the guests are more family than friends.
As children, Dot Woolcott, Ann Eliza Elizabeth and Lydia Blake went to the Virginia School for the Blind together. Now in their eighties, they reconvene at Burkeville as often as they can. All three have been coming to the lodge for decades. By now they know every inch of the place and areas comfortable as they are in their own home.
The gazebo on the front lawn is the place for socializing, and lazy or sometimes spirited conversation. There are always friendly people around if you want company and pleasant rooms to retreat to if you want solitude. We have an extensive library of books on tape for quiet moments and a raucous Braille card game every evening that is anything but quiet. It's not hard to scare up a competitive game of Braille scrabble. Sighted people are allowed to play too. Several of the regulars are talented musicians and often play for us after the evening meal.
Making good use of the walking trail that goes thre fourths of the way around the pond. - Photo courtesy "The Community Weekly"
The lodge is administered by the VAWB, under the direction of Betty Meredith. Besides dishing up three mouth-watering meals a day, Betty maintains the lodge and her sense of humor beautifully. All the holidays get special attention at Burkeville. Betty makes sure to decorate for Christmas, Halloween, Valentine's Day, the Fourth of July and anything else she can think of. Special meals and programs are planned for all the occasions. Professional musicians often come to liven up the festivities. Blind people like to dance too!
Burkeville is unique. Blindness is less limiting there and the problems that come with it are understood and shared. It is a comforting place psychologically and a comfortable place physically. Burkeville has many and varied charms, not the least of which is some of the best home cooking around.
If you would be interested in joining the VAWB, making a donation or helping with transportation, fundraising or food service at the lodge please contact the VAWB at (804) 275-7300 or email us at Vwbhnd@cs.com. Please visit our website at VAWB.org. We area 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.