The Citizen staff report

Eight months ago, Novelis process engineer Kevin Lawless underwent a rite of passage. He went from having “low vision” to being declared “legally blind.”

He lost his limited drivers license. He can no longer sit on the bleachers and recognize his child playing on the sports field.

But Lawless does not have to face the changes alone. Along with the support of his family, friends and employer, he is receiving services and information from AURORA of CNY, Inc.

AURORA is an agency of the United Ways of Oswego and Cayuga counties. It is the only nonprofit that works exclusively with central New Yorkers who are deaf, blind, visually impaired and hard of hearing.

Lawless told his story at a recent Constellation Energy United Way Leadership Luncheon to give Constellation Energy's leadership-level contributors an idea of where its money is going.

Lawless, 45, was diagnosed with macular degeneration when he was 21. His vision deteriorated gradually.

“The hardest thing to deal with now is the loss of freedom,” he said. “I loved my autonomy, but it's no more.”

AURORA's services to Lawless include an evaluation by a specialist to determine what devices, such as magnifiers, will help him at home and on the job.

If needed, AURORA will offer him additional support, such as cooking classes and instruction in traveling with a white cane.

AURORA also offers support groups as well as social work services and referrals.

According to the American Foundation for the Blind, a person is legally blind when their field of vision encompasses 20 degrees or less, or their acuity is 20/200 or less. A person with 20/200 vision has to be 20 feet away to see something that a person with normal vision can see from 200 feet away.

For more information about AURORA, call 422-7263 (TDD 422-9746).