Category: Vision

This category contains information about visual accessibility for blindness, low vision, and color-blindness.

Ray Charles Foundation Establishes Neurosurgery Scholarship

Cynthia A. Lockley on

Los Angeles,Dec2,2019

Press Release – LOS ANGELES (Dec. 2, 2019) — The Ray Charles Foundation has made an investment in the future, donating $1 million to fund a new neurosurgery scholarship program at Cedars-Sinai.

Under the direction of Keith L. Black, MD, chair of the Cedars-Sinai Department of Neurosurgery, scholarship recipients will receive personalized, mentored research training from Cedars-Sinai’s neurosciences faculty members while conducting their own research projects.

“This generous gift allows us to create a program, the Ray Charles Foundation Scholars Fund in Neurosurgery, that will help us invest in the future,” Black said. “We hope that these scholars will continue to give back to their communities.”

The scholarship program will accept one or two MD or PhD students to participate in the program every year. The scholars then will be matched with a principal investigator who will provide mentorship, guidance and career-development advice. Scholars also will be able to access the day-to-day resources and training that they need as they carry out their research projects.

Tribute display for Ray Charles
Ray Charles Foundation President Valerie Ervin with a photo of the music legend at the foundation headquarters in Los Angeles. Photo by Cedars-Sinai.

“The knowledge and insight these scholars will gain through this experience will help prepare them to serve as the healers, scientists and thought leaders of tomorrow,” Black said.

The Ray Charles Foundation Scholars Fund in Neurosurgery aims to promote representation and enhance diversity in the neurosciences by supporting the training of students who come from underrepresented backgrounds, with a focus on historically black colleges and universities.

Valerie Ervin, president of The Ray Charles Foundation, says that the goal is to create a training pipeline that helps shape the careers of future leaders in the field of neuroscience.

“It is an honor, on behalf of The Ray Charles Foundation and its board of directors, to partner with Cedars-Sinai and Dr. Black in shaping the future for the next generation in science and medicine through The Ray Charles Foundation Scholars Fund in Neurosurgery,” Ervin said. “The mentorship and teaching in this program in the name of Ray Charles are immeasurable and will set the tone for the next generation of doctors.”

Legendary singer and songwriter Ray Charles (1930–2004) gave a gift to Cedars-Sinai about 15 years ago to name the Ray Charles Cafeteria and Conference Center to convey his appreciation for the care he received at the medical center. Founded in 1986, The Ray Charles Foundation continues in the legacy of its founder by supporting philanthropic programs in music, education and healthcare.

Read more in Discoveries: Women in Neurosurgery

URL : http://www.cedars-sinai.org/newsroom/ray-charles-foundation-establishes-neurosurgery-scholarship/

Songs About Silent Cars & the Library

Cynthia A. Lockley on

One of the more unique organizational traits of the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) is the central role that songs have played in their community.

Since their first song contest in 1969, the NFB has used song for inspiration, to protest against people and organizations believed to be acting against the interests of blind people, and to support the NFB's purpose.

I particularly like the following songs. Links go to the mp3 audio recordings available on the NFB website.

The Hybrid Car Song
Tune: “Surry with the Fringe on Top”
Words by Mary Ellen Gabias
Copyright 2007, National Federation of the Blind

Kids and dogs won’t know when to scurry.
Silent death arrives in a hurry.
All who walk have reason to worry
‘Bout the hybrid car.

We all want to stop the polluting,
Save a lot of gas while commuting.
If they made sound, there’d be no disputing
With the hybrid car.

Saving the planet we all hold dear,
Nobody wants to destroy it.
Please make cars pedestrians can hear
‘Cause we want to be ’round to enjoy it.

We don’t need a noisy vrum-vrumming,
Just a simple audible humming,
So that we can know when you’re coming
In a hybrid car.
Then we all can walk with safety on the street
Without fear that we will accident’lly meet a hybrid car.

The Quiet Car Song
Tune: “Found a Peanut”
Words by Sandy Halverson

1. I was walking down the sidewalk
Thinking of what I would eat
When I got up to the restaurant
And the friends I was to meet.
 
2. I was so close I could smell it.
Didn’t have to go that far
When my life was quickly altered
By that sneaky quiet car.
 
3. I approached my destination
When my cane broke at my feet.
Never heard the car approaching–
I was lying in the street.
 
4. Heard the siren of the ambulance
As it carried me away.
Lost my hunger in the ER.
Guess we’ll meet another day.

The Library Song
Tune: “Tramp, Tramp, Tramp, the Boys Are Marching”
Words by Curtis Willoughby

1. At the mailbox I sit thinking of the book I need,
And the library so cold and far away.
And the tears they fill my eyes ‘spite of all that I can do
When I think of what the library will say.

(Refrain:) “Wait, wait, wait, your book’s not in yet.
We’ll try to have it next year without fail.
We are not your corner store. We cannot do any more.
After all, we know just one percent read Braille.”

2. ‘Cause they’re running out of space. “For your book there is no place.
The demand for it, you see, is far too low.
How about a light romance or a novel set in France,
For we mostly serve the elderly, you know.”
(Refrain)

3. So at home and on the job I am waiting for the day
When the mailman will come up to my door
With the book that I have sought and not the one they thought
That my profile showed I should be asking for.
(Refrain)

For more information on the history of NFB songs and the full text of the songs, read Barbara Pierce's article, "Singing Our Story: Federation History in Song", from the July 2013 issue of the Braille Monitor.