Our Continued Success Depends on You
The stories are intended to inspire and inform others seeking help on their own vision-loss journey.
But there is another audience these stories hope to reach - those who have either given or are considering giving their time or treasures to Bosma. Without donors, these success stories would not have been possible.
Almost 160,000 Hoosiers are blind or visually impaired. And, Bosma is the only nonprofit provider of comprehensive rehabilitation services for those with vision loss in Indiana.
Bosma’s on-site training and rehab programs prepare people who are blind or visually impaired to successfully navigate their homes, jobs, and community independently.
In-home training is also available through Bosma. Community-Based Services sends rehabilitation teachers into the homes of those aged 55+ who are suffering vision loss. The client is given (free of charge) special devices, training, tips, and support, giving them the confidence they need to feel safe in their own homes.
The Benefits Are Real
Joyce Simmons, a recent participant in the Senior Grant program, refers to her Bosma instructor, Amy Planalp, as Super Woman. “Amy’s awesome and made my life so much better. She gave me special magnifiers, lights, glasses, a talking watch, kitchen mitts…so many tools.
The new lights and magnifiers have allowed me to continue my favorite pastime…quilting!
“My eye issue is hereditary. When Amy learned about my sister in southern Indiana suffering the same condition, she went to visit her, too. My grandmother and mother both had the same problem, and I just wish they could have had the support and tools Bosma has given me. How much better their lives would have been,” Joyce said.
Helen O’Guinn, another Senior Grant recipient, is just as enthusiastic. Amy, also her instructor, introduced Helen to many of the same devices as Joyce, but because her interests and vision situation were a bit different, so were Amy’s suggestions.
“She (Amy) ran through the house, giving me tips on things to change. She gave lots of tools…a 2-sided cutting board, measuring devices for the kitchen, a nifty signature pad, an enlarged calendar, suggestions for apps like Seeing AI, and four pages of suggestions. So much help!
"Now, every week I call in to Bosma’s Tech Tuesday to learn about new apps, tech, and writing programs,” Helen said.
The call-in program, Bosma Connections, includes various topics and interests like book clubs, games, trivia, and topical and educational discussion groups. Volunteer leaders are always welcome.
Critical Funding Gap
Last year, Bosma Community-Based Services served over 600 clients in their homes throughout the state with a staff of three full-time and one part-time rehabilitation teachers. The goal for 2026 is to reach 1,000 clients in their homes.
“As the population ages, the number of seniors needing help grows. Unfortunately, although the need is increasing, the funding is decreasing due to government grant cuts," Marsha Egan, Vice President of Programs explained.
"We now find ourselves facing a critical funding gap."
Currently, three full-time and one part-time experienced instructors travel every county in the state, providing rehabilitation services in the comfort of the client’s own home. A similar program, Pro Bono, is designed for those age 18-54. All, at little or no cost.
“Seniors want to stay in the home where they raised their family and have their memories. Bosma’s out-reach programs help make that possible.
We are grateful for the generosity of our donors and want them to know how important year-round giving is in funding these programs. The continued success of our clients depends on it,” Egan said.
GIVING OPPORTUNITIES
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