MLV Foundation Inc.

01/08/2026

Early detection for glaucoma, through eye exams, is vital for preventing irreversible vision loss.

01/04/2026

Glaucoma can cause vision loss with no early symptoms. Schedule an eye exam today!

01/01/2026

Did you know? Over 3 million Americans have glaucoma—but only half know it.

01/01/2026

As we look back on this past year, we want to say a heartfelt thank you. Your support of the MLV Foundation—through donations, volunteering, attending events, or simply sharing our mission—has made a real difference. We are deeply grateful for each of you.

This year included our Hooks fishing event that was a team effort with Wilderness Adventure Ministries, but our largest focus was launching the Orbit Training Center for the Blind. From logistics and construction to contracting and setup, it was a major undertaking—and we are proud to say the center is now open and ready to serve.

Orbit is now accepting individuals for training. We also welcome professionals interested in contract work, interns seeking on the job teaching experience, and individuals who need training but cannot commit to a long-term residential program. Go to www.orbitcenter.com for more information.

MOKA Conference for the Blind

Today is the final day to register at the early bird rate of $125 for the MOKA Conference for the Blind. It will be full price on January 1 of $150. For those of you who might not be able to attend the full conference, we also have a day pass option that is $100. We have several new things going on at the upcoming MOKACFB that we will be sharing more about over the next couple of months. Of course, we will have our keynote speakers as well as breakout sessions on independent living skills, technology, and support.

MOKACFB is about more than sessions—it’s about people. No matter your eye condition, whether you are living with glaucoma, retinitis pigmentosa, diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, or are a parent of a child with CVI, there is incredible value in connecting with others who understand this journey. Finding community and shared experience can be both empowering and healing.

Don't forget, we offer travel scholarships on a first-come, first-served basis to help reduce the cost of attending the conference.

For conference details and registration, visit:

www.mokacfb.com

GIVING AND GRATITUDE

Because of generous donors, we were able to launch a food basket program back in November to assist individuals in our community experiencing food insecurity during the government shutdown. We are exploring ways to continue this program and will share more details in a future newsletter.

As we close out the year, we’d like to share a gentle reminder that MLV Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit supported primarily through donations. If you are able, please consider a last-minute, tax-deductible gift. Your support is always appreciated and helps fund programs such as our Food Basket program, travel scholarships, and training scholarships at the Orbit Training Center for the Blind.

Thank you for your continued support and belief in our mission.

With gratitude,

Debbie Sanders

President, MLV Foundation

MLV Foundation is proud to be hosting our second MOKA Conference for the Blind. MOKA is an acronym for Missouri, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Arkansas. The dates for this conference are May 28-30, 2024. This four-state area conference will be held at the beautiful University Plaza Hotel, 333 S. John Q. Ham...

12/28/2025

A white cane does far more than help someone walk. Here is what most people do not know.

The cane is white so the general public knows that the person using it is blind or has low vision.

A white cane is something we lightly tap and slide from side to side or it stays in constant contact with the ground. The tapping sound the cane makes when using the two point touch (tap and slide) can work like echolocation for the user. Our cane is usually 3 to 6 feet in front of us and that tapping and contact gives us information about what is ahead, changes in surface, drop-offs, obstacles, and landmarks. Our cane alerts us to what our eyes may not see or see clearly. It gives us independence to navigate the world with more confidence.

Did you know white canes are not all the same?

One cane does not work for every person. Length, tip, handle, weight, and material all matter. What works well for one person may not work at all for another. One cane also does not work equally well on all surfaces or terrains.

White canes are white for an important reason. The colour identifies to the public that the person using it is blind or has low vision. This helps others understand why we may be navigating differently and encourages safer interactions.

Some canes are all white. Some have red on the bottom portion. Some of us decorate our canes because the cane becomes an extension of who we are.

The red on the bottom of the cane means different things in different countries. In Canada, most of us are given the same cane from the main service provider, if you are blind or low vision here, the bottom is red for those canes. With Canada being a snowy country the red helps with colour contrast in the snow.

A red and white striped cane has a specific meaning. It indicates the person is both hard of hearing and has low vision, or is DeafBlind.

Some canes fold and some do not. They can be made of aluminum, carbon fibre, or graphite. Each material changes the weight and feel of the cane. Some canes are measured based on height, while others are chosen based on comfort, travel style, or personal preference.

Cane tips also vary widely. They are made from materials like metal, ceramic, or plastic. Some tips roll and some stay fixed. Each type gives different feedback about the environment, including texture, vibration, and surface changes.

Handles are not all the same either. They can be plastic, foam, cork wood or rubber. Some are thicker, some thinner. Some have grooves for fingers. Comfort and grip matter, especially for daily use.

A white cane is our mobility device. For those of us who use one, it represents independence, safety and freedom to us. Please do not step over it, grab it, touch it, or move it. Doing so can disorient or endanger us.

It is called a cane, not a stick or a pole. If someone who uses one calls it something else, then you know for that person. In general, calling things what they are shows respect.

Do you have any questions about white canes or how they are used?

“Having a disability does not change who we are. It changes our interactions with the world.”-Gina Martin



Photo description
Text readsa white cane is not a prop it is how we detect obsticals, understand our environment and move safely through the world.
Finds obsticles, Detects drop offs. Surface changes guides us forward. There is a white cane with a rolling tip and a cane handle in the image.

12/25/2025

As you’re placing lights, ornaments, and other decorations on the tree, be alert to needles that can poke your eye or branches that can spring out when netting is cut away from a fresh Christmas tree.

12/25/2025

MLV Foundation would like to wish you and yours a very merry and blessed Christmas.

12/22/2025

If you’re cutting down your own Christmas tree, wear safety goggles to prevent flying wood chips and sawdust from lodging in your eyes.

12/22/2025

Our last podcast of 2025 has just dropped. Join us for some cooking tips with Wilma Chestnut-House.

In this episode, Felishya and Debbie are joined by Wilma Chestnut-House, who shares her practical, real-world cooking tips and kitchen strategies for cooking confidently as a blind woman. Wilma is the author of a cookbook and a biography, and she brings both wisdom and warmth to the conversation as....

12/18/2025

Did you know that your eyes can get sunburned in the winter? Snow blindness often heals on its own in a few days, but prolonged winter sun exposure can raise your risk of cataracts and growths on the eye, including cancer.

12/15/2025

Hot cooking oil and grease can easily splash onto the eye and burn your cornea. This injury can be avoided by using a grease shield or lid on the pan. If hot grease splashes in your eye, immediately flush it with plenty of water.

12/13/2025