Know the Differences...
Support Groups (peer support)- all members can speak. No presenters/guest speakers. The members have discussions and can express their feelings in a safe environment.
Social Groups- Can meet at one place and have activities, can go on outings,
Informational meetings- A meeting having a presenters/guest speaker. This means the presenter/speaker does majority of the talking.
Are you or your loved one looking for a Peer Support Group?
- An 18yrs and over group.
- Make Connections in the group and outside the group with your peers.
- Find others to whom you can relate.
- Find others who can understand.
- A place where you are not alone.
- Find HOPE
- Find Support.
- Find Resources.
- And much more!
Who are the Open Eyes Peer Support Group?
We are an Open Group that meet once a week. Our group is facilitated by Julie Rondan, MS,CHW who has Retinitis Pigmentosa. The group consists of mixed women and men experiencing Vision Loss and Blindness. We come together to offer support to one another by sharing our experiences; personal stories, challenges, victories, struggles, happy moments, and more.
Open Eyes Peer Support group is to offer HOPE and feel EMPOWERED by peer support, inspiration, and motivation.
In our group YOU ARE NOT ALONE!
You will find Peer Support Group members that have Vision Loss and Blindness due to:
- Glaucoma
- Macular Degeneration
- Retinitis Pigmentosa
- ROP
- Aniridia
- Diabetes
- Stargardt’s
- Stroke
And other causes of Vision Loss and Blindness
For more info. please call or send Julie an email.
Support Groups
As your Support Group Facilitator
I’m very passionate about support groups and find they're vital to helping us in whatever we’re going through in life. In a support group we can relate to others, feel supported, find inspiration/motivation, learn how others cope, create friendships. and more! We all inspire each other in some way.
In 2019 Open Eyes Peer-Support Group was created, a support group offered under Open Eyes Life Coaching & Consulting, for individuals 18 yrs. and over with Vision Loss and Blindness. We were thrilled to found a home for our monthly support group meetings at the Texas Diabetes Institute- University Healthy System (Zarzamora location), and in September 2019 we kicked-of our first Open Eyes Support Group meeting not only offering it to TDI patients, but to our West-side Community. Thank You TDI for welcoming our group and working together.
In addition, I’ve had the pleasure of being the Low Vision Resource Center and (volunteer) Support Group Facilitator for Individuals who are Visually Impaired and Blind since 2013. In January 2014 I began facilitating the LVRC Support Groups at a new location, having support group meetings at The Forum at Lincoln Heights.
In 2011 I also created a FaceBook support group for women with Vision Loss and Blindness, 18 yrs of age and over, called ROOM WITH A VIEW-Visually Impaired Expressive Women. We have over 1,000 plus members all over the world, which our wonderful group is always growing. Some of us have traveled and met each other in person, which is super special.
Open Eyes Peer Support Group.
When: 2nd Saturday of every Month
Time: 9am to 11:15am
At our Office - NE/Central of SA.
2nd Location
When: Every 4th Thursday of the month.
Time: 9- 11am
Serving our West Side of SA.
Conference Call
We meet a Wednesday evening meeting.
Time: 7-9pm
More info contact Julie
FaceBook Support Group
Room with a VIEW- Visually Impaired Expressive Women
Online Support Group for Women who are Visually Impaired and Blind (18 and over) CLICK on Room with a VIEW