“When people tell you you’re legally blind, you think, ‘That’s it,’ and throw in the towel.”
For Ivory Clanton, those words reflected the reality he had come to accept. Everyday tasks like reading his mail, paying bills, and enjoying a book with his grandchild had become impossible. Living with severe vision loss meant giving up many of the simple moments most people take for granted.
Then everything changed.
At the MedRVA Low Vision Center, Ivory discovered that vision loss doesn’t have to mean losing independence. With encouragement from the Low Vision Center team—and a little persistence from staff member Kim—he decided to give specialized low vision rehabilitation a chance.
“I really had to be convinced to come here,” Ivory recalls. “But Kim said, ‘Just give it a try.’ You all really helped me.”
Restoring More Than Sight
Thanks to the generosity of the MedRVA Foundation, Ivory received a closed-circuit television (CCTV) magnification system, an assistive device designed to help individuals with low vision read printed materials by enlarging text and images onto a screen.
For Ivory, the technology wasn’t simply a new device—it was a new beginning.
“With the CCTV, I can read my mail and bills. I can read with my grandchild and read things I haven’t been able to read in 10 years.”
After a decade without being able to read independently, Ivory was once again able to manage daily responsibilities and share meaningful moments with his family. What seemed like a small piece of technology became a life-changing tool that restored confidence, connection, and independence.
Hope Beyond Vision Loss
Many people believe that being diagnosed with legal blindness means there are no options left. The MedRVA Low Vision Center exists to change that perception.
While low vision rehabilitation cannot restore eyesight, it can help patients maximize the vision they have through specialized evaluations, training, adaptive technology, and personalized rehabilitation plans. The goal is simple: help people continue doing the things that matter most.
Whether it’s reading a favorite book, paying monthly bills, recognizing loved ones, or enjoying hobbies again, the right tools can make an extraordinary difference.
Powered by Community Support
As Central Virginia’s only nonprofit low vision rehabilitation center, the MedRVA Low Vision Center is able to provide life-changing services because of the generosity of donors who believe everyone deserves the opportunity to live independently.
Gifts to the MedRVA Foundation help provide specialized equipment, rehabilitation services, and support for individuals who may not otherwise have access to these resources.
Every donation helps write another success story like Ivory’s.
Helping People See the World
For Ivory, the greatest gift wasn’t just being able to read again—it was reclaiming a part of his life he thought was gone forever.
His story is a powerful reminder that vision loss does not have to define a person’s future.
With compassionate care, innovative technology, and the support of a generous community, the MedRVA Foundation is helping people throughout Central Virginia rediscover independence, confidence, and hope—one life at a time.
Help Change a Life
Your support makes stories like Ivory’s possible.
By giving to the MedRVA Foundation, you’re helping provide low vision rehabilitation, specialized assistive technology, and life-changing resources for children and adults living with vision loss throughout Central Virginia.
Help people see the world by making a gift today.