Committee hears reappointment testimony from Brett Rivenheimer for Idaho Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired

Brett Rivenheimer of Sandpoint testified to the Idaho Senate Health and Welfare Committee in support of his gubernatorial reappointment to the Idaho Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired, describing how commission services preserved his employment and independence after he lost most of his sight.

Rivenheimer said he lost vision in his right eye suddenly on Jan. 29, 2003, and that his optic nerves atrophied over the following months. He described home visits from commission staff, training on assistive technology and mobility, and use of a guide dog and talking devices that allowed him to continue managing employees and traveling for work.

"I was given the confidence that I could remain independent and that I could have a successful career," Rivenheimer said. He told senators he has served on the commission for 18 years and that his experience with budgets and program evaluation would continue to be useful to the board.

The committee asked questions about the cause of his vision loss and about his personal activities; Rivenheimer said doctors believe capillary clotting caused optic-nerve atrophy, and he described adaptive tools he uses, including GPS and speaking computers. A question from Senator Woodward, relayed by the chair, about local snowfall and skiing prompted Rivenheimer to note he skis with a guide and that this season there is "about 70, 80 inches on the ground." He also said he travels with a guide dog.

No committee vote on the reappointment was taken at the hearing; committee members told Rivenheimer they would vote the following day. The presentation was recorded as part of the committee's public session; committee members then moved on to other agenda items.

The reappointment will appear on the committee's next-day calendar for a formal vote.