Stargardt Tele-Support

Are you a teenager or young adult with Stargardt disease? We are forming a tele-support group just for you!

Starting in June 2008, The Children's Vision Health Initiative, a program created by The Jewish Guild for the Blind, will form a telephone support group aimed at the concerns of teenagers and young adults around the country who share this condition.

Participants will have the opportunity to talk about common social concerns raised by living with Stargardt disease. Discussions will include such subjects as:

Driving
Traveling at Night
Dating
College
Career
Scientific Advances

Groups will be facilitated by Daria Zawadzki, J.D., L.M.S.W., a professional counselor and social worker who is also affected by vision loss. Ms Zawadzki will meet the groups by phone (toll-free) for 60-90 minutes weekly. The groups will be small so everyone will have the opportunity to take part. Interesting guest speakers will also call in on occasion to share their knowledge and experiences.

The Guild currently provides telephone support groups to parents of blind and visually impaired children and adolescents. It was at the suggestion of some of those parents that The Guild decided to expand its program to the teenagers and young adults themselves.

Interested persons may register for a telephone support group by calling 1-800-915-0306.

We hope to hear from you!