How BVRS' Low Vision Clinic Helped an Artist and Poet Continue Doing What She Loves

Dolores Urbank, 81, pictured left, has written poetry and painted pictures her entire life. She has been featured in the book, The Best Poems & Poets of 2007. Her painting, Tea Time Chatter, won second place in a state competition. Her poem about Flight 93 will be on display when the Flight 93 Memorial is completed, and she is completing a collection of her poetry and art titled, My Pen Likes to Talk.

Mrs. Urbank and her husband, John, live in Whitehall where they raised their two daughters and where she now reads her poetry to her great grandchildren and teaches them how to paint. And so, when Mrs. Urbank lost her vision in 2007 to macular degeneration and glaucoma, she felt isolated and consumed by grief.

 “Writing poetry and painting come from feelings deep inside,” she said. “I didn’t know how I was going to live with the loss.”

Her ophthalmologist, Dr. Ronald Salvitti of Southwestern Pennsylvania Eye Center in W

ashington, PA., referred her to Dr. Erica Hacker at BVRS’ Low Vision Clinic.

Dr. Hacker prescribed telescopic spectacles to enhance Mrs. Urbank’s vision at intermediate distances for painting. She prescribed prism glasses so Mrs. Urbank could read her poetry

projects images onto a television or computer screen, for reading and writing at home. Amy Rebovich, Occupational Therapist and Certified Low Vision Therapist, taught Mrs. Urbank how to use the aids.

“I can’t express how this has improved my life,” Mrs. Urbank said. “Now I can continue doing the things I love. I can be with my family and not be a burden or feel left out. I can never repay Dr. Hacker and Amy for what they have given back to me.”

Above, Amy Rebovich, Occupational Therapist, shows Mrs. Urbank how to use optical aids.

Right, Mrs. Urbank uses a CCTV to paint. In the background is Mrs. Urbank's painting, Tea Time Chatter. The CCTV has a camera that projects anything beneath it onto a large computer screen. The image can be enlarged, or the background color changed for better contrast. With the CCTV, people with vision loss can read a book, read their mail, watch themselves sign a check, or other uses such as with Mrs. Urbank, paint.

Below right, On the CCTV, John and Dolores Urbank view a replica of the plaque with the poem, "The Spirit of Freedom" that they presented to the Flight 93 Memorial museum. 

I stand alone
looking down the canyon
feeling warm inside
as giant boulders
wrap their arms around me
to sweeten my joy

I looked deep
into the throat
of this amphitheater
colored by many seasons
trapped by many lights and shadows
listening for a sound

Hush, all is silent
I feel the wind
blowing around my face
a veil of grey mist
hangs low over the canyon
and it begins to rain

From the cliffs above
the river looks like
a ribbon of blue
twisting and turning
carving out its path
flowing at its own pace

In silence
I saw the sun go down
the power of this panorama came alive with color
as the canyon posed majestically
It refreshed my soul

I saw this beauty
through sensitive eyes
This is not a vision, it is a joy
never to be forgotten, I was overwhelmed
when in a distance I heard the canyon speak
You will return, you will return

The blush on summers' face
makes me feel warm inside
as I watch Autumn leaves
blazing with color
Limbs stretching out into the wind
flaunting her dress of many colors
patiently waiting to be noticed.
The wind whistles and begins to blow
Trembling leaves turning in all directions
gusty winds sweeping leaves over the hillside
then dancing to the rhythm of the wind
soon, autumn leaves begin to change
deep purple, gold, cinnamon, red wine
blanketing the earth with many colors
keeping warm seeds for Spring
the season of rebirth
at last autumn trees shaken by the wind
stand alone no longer skirted with color
no longer waiting to be noticed, but
humble, bending low, ashamed of nakedness
the nectar is gone.