"The reason I got started in this work is because when I had vision problems, there were no services available to deal with all of the things you go through," said Stan Mosser, low vision specialist for Trinity Regional Eyecare.

He easily identifies with how loss of sight affects all facets of a person's life. The Balfour (near Minot) native was 13 when he was diagnosed with cataracts in 1963.

Mosser had cataract surgery in 1964, but due to technology available at the time, he still had complications.

Over a period of years, his quality of vision eroded.

"School was tough," he recalled. For 20 years, he struggled to complete his studies and launch a career. At times he had to rely on relatives to read to him, books on tape and any technology he could find to thread himself through.

"School was tough. Reading was not easy. You adapt anyway you can," Mosser said.

Mosser earned a bachelor's degree social work at Minot State University.

Following an experimental surgery in 1984 to remove fluids that affected his eyesight, he was able to obtain a master's degree in vision rehabilitation from the University of Arkansas.

He worked 10 years for the state of North Dakota, first in developmental disabilities, and the last six years focusing on low vision issues. For the past dozen years, he has done the low vision work in the private sector. Mosser splits his duties between clients in Minot and Williston.

Now, with 20-20 vision, he drives to and from the two cities to help his clients obtain their own independence.

"We serve clients between the ages of 4 through geriatrics," he said.

Mosser said he prefers working at the Williston and Minot clinics.

"As soon as the doctor diagnoses them, I can start working with them and find out what their interests are and how I can help them be independent. The earlier the intervention, the better it is for the client. We will sit down and talk about what they can do to deal with the vision loss," Mosser said.

Mosser said North Dakota rates number one for vision loss due to age-related macular degeneration.

"When there is no vision, you miss all of that," Mosser said. "If you hear something, you have to look to see. If you smell something, you have to look to see. Imagine what you could miss seeing in one day's time."

He suggests people try functioning in their home for just a day with a blindfold on to help them empathize of the impact vision loss has.

For his younger patients, the earlier Mosser finds modes to help their vision, the easier they can find to process information in early learning.

He said there also is much technology available for college level students to make their experience much easier than his own. These include machines that will read print materials orally or translate Braille into regular print.

For his senior citizen clients, self-reliance is the ultimate aim. This is where low vision readers are very key.

"If they live alone, they won't have someone to read their mail to them. With the low vision readers, they can regain their independence and are able to live at home longer," Mosser said.

He explained material is put under the reader, and it will enlarge the print.

"Without these machines they cannot read their medication labels, their newspapers, or any type of written material," he said.

If Mosser determines a regional client can benefit from a low vision reader but cannot afford one, he will submit a request to the Area Lions Diabetes Committee, which will discuss the matter with its zone members. He estimates this Lions Club zone has purchased and loaned over 25 low vision readers to clients in the past eight years. A new unit costs $2,500.

He cannot stress the importance the low vision readers have for clients.

"My goal is to have them continue doing what they want to do and to do what they enjoy doing," Mosser said. "They can live in their own homes and enjoy life."

The Lions Zone Club Pancake breakfast is slated from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 3, which is Super Bowl Sunday. It will help support the future purchases of low vision readers for some of Mosser's clients, help pay part of the cost of insulin pumps for diabetics, sponsor a diabetic screening clinic and fund a sugar screening in March for the public at the upcoming sports and recreation show in March at the Raymond Family Community Center.