Clients Paul Ashby and Frank Brooks Share How In-Home Visits from Society’s Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants Has Made A Difference In Their Lives

Paul Ashby lives in Festus and has been a client with Society since June of 2022. He has Macular Degeneration and has completely lost vision in one eye, but still has some vision in the other. After visiting Society for evaluation, he is now receiving occupational therapy services in his home with Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant, Michelle Harrell.

Mr. Ashby said, “Michelle has been here twice and has set me up with lighting, a magnifier, and bump dots everywhere, and has just made things safer and more accessible for me. It got to the point where I could no longer be home alone while my wife was gone. It’s amazing how the simplest things can help. Those bump dots have helped tremendously.”

Mr. Ashby was having trouble seeing the brown power outlets in his kitchen to plug in devices and he could no longer see to operate the microwave and stovetop. “Michelle strategically placed those bump dots so I can plug in things. I can safely turn on the stove and she also marked the dials, so I don’t turn the heat up too high. I can even keep up with laundry because she marked the dials on the washer. I’m so happy for that grant (from the Jefferson Foundation) so Michelle can help people like me out here in Jefferson County.”

Frank Brooks lives in St. Peters and became a client with Society in July of 2022. Mr. Brooks has both Macular Degeneration and Glaucoma. He loves to cook and is now safely doing so again. He even has an apron that says, “Big Chef.” Ali Lambert, Society’s other Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant has made a huge difference in the Brooks home.

Mr. Brooks said, “The home visits have helped me adjust to my vision loss. Ali showed me the way to do many things I could not do anymore. Helping me in areas of safety, cooking, and self-sufficiency. She was informative, patient and zeroed in on my needs. It has been a great blessing.” More than anything, he is cooking again. “I hardly cooked anymore. I learned techniques on how to measure—even though I can’t see—to use vegetables that are already cut, and my new orange bump dots are the best!” His first meal was a Mediterranean Stew in a small crock pot. He can’t wait to tackle hamburgers on the Foreman Grill next!

“With those orange bump dots and my sense of touch, I can do things I could not see to do. I can use many appliances like a washing machine, dryer, microwave, dishwasher. Just three little bump dots enables me to heat my food, whether it’s a slice of toast or reheating my left over stew!”