(Left to right) Stuart Nelson, Communications, BVA; Sandra McGee; Tom Miller, Executive Director, BVA; Bill McGee; and Christina Hitchcock, Executive Assistant, BVA.

Washington, D.C., November 8, 2010 — In an agreement reached in time for Veterans Day between Thomas H. Miller, Executive Director, Blinded Veterans Association (BVA) and William L. McGee, founder of  BMC Publications,  BVA will serve as the exclusive representative to the blinded veterans market for BMC’s new title Learning To Cope With Sight Loss: Six Weeks at a VA Blind Rehabilitation Center by William L. McGee.

“BVA is the perfect arm to reach out and inform the many thousands of military veterans living with sight loss or low vision about the VA’s blind rehab program,” said Bill McGee.

 

Founded after World War II, BVA serves all legally blind veterans who have served in the U.S. military. BVA links veterans with the services they’ve earned.

 

“Bill McGee’s publication is filled with insightful observations and a complete analysis of all that the world-class VA facilities can offer to our Association members,” said Tom Miller.

 

Learning To Cope With Sight Loss: Six Weeks at a VA Blind Rehabilitation Center by William L. McGee

 

 

Tuesday, August 3, 2010 – ”A few weeks ago I spoke with veteran Bill McGee.  One of his many publications, Learning to Cope with Sight Loss: Six Weeks at a VA Blind Rehabilitation Center, is a high-quality illustrated 36-page booklet with a companion audio CD.

“The publication gives a succinct personal account of Bill’s experiences when, after being diagnosed with Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD), he decides to attend a Veterans Administration (VA) vision rehabilitation program.

“Bill shares the benefits he gained—both from the VA program and the other blinded vets participating in the same program. He fully explains what so many people are unaware of—the scope of vision rehabilitation services he experienced at that VA Blind Rehabilitation Center.

“This publication is an invaluable contribution and increases opportunities for all those living with severe vision loss to pursue the quality of life and independent living benefits of vision rehabilitation.”

For more on this book, visit BMC Publications.

Emmy award-winning ABC7/KGO TV news anchor Cheryl Jennings with Bill and Sandra McGee

San Francisco, CA, May 9, 2010 — Authors Bill McGee and Sandra McGee were guests on ABC 7/KGO TV’s Emmy award-winning public affairs show Beyond the Headlines  hosted by news anchor Cheryl Jennings. 

Bill discussed his new book, Learning To Cope with Sight Loss: Six Weeks at a VA Blind Rehabilitation Center. He praised the Veterans Administration for their excellent help as well as low vision aids they make available to blind and visually impaired veterans.

Legally blind since 2003 with macular degeneration, McGee continues to read and write using visual aids such as a CCTV (a desktop closed circuit television magnifier) and ZoomText software and computer keyboard.

Legally-blind since 2003 from macular degeneration, author William L. McGee tells how he got back to writing in his inspiring new booklet and companion Audio CD, Learning To Cope With Sight Loss: Six Weeks at a VA Blind Rehabilitation Center. 

 In 2009, McGee joined other blinded veterans for six weeks of live-in training at the VA Western Blind Rehab Center in Palo Alto, California. He was so impressed with the program, the staff and instructors, that he dictated a journal of his daily activities and observations.

The author goes into detail about the various components of the VA’s treatment program:  Visual Skills, Orientation and Mobility, Living Skills, Manual Skills, Computer Access Training, Recreation Therapy, and Family Training.

“Sight loss can be a very stressful event in anyone’s life. I wanted to help spread the word about the excellent work being done at these VA Blind Rehab Centers,” says McGee. “I hope to inform and inspire anyone living with sight loss or low vision — veteran or non-veteran —  to ‘get up off the couch’ and seek help from one of the many resources listed in the book’s appendix.”

The booklet is also available on Audio CD and is read by four San Francisco Bay Area Broadcast Legends: Don Mozley (CBS Radio and KCBS/74); writer/producer Ed Dudkowski; Emmy award-winning news anchor Cheryl Jennings (ABC 7/KGO TV); and Warren Weagant (former ABC 7/KGO Radio and TV).

Available in Three Formats

• Booklet and Audio CD, Sold as Set, $15.95
• Audio CD in a jewel case, $12.95 (running time: 1:15)
• Booklet, $9.95 (36 pps, 40 photos, color)

The publisher is offering a complimentary downloadable PDF of the booklet (without photos) at BMC Publications.