Deafblind Rehabilitation in Oklahoma Deaf-blind specialist and rehabilitation teacher Jeri Cooper, who herself is deaf-blind, feels the fingers of deaf-blind client Mary "Sunshine" Edwards as she signs at Edwards' house in Choctaw, Oklahoma. Edwards has Usher syndrome, an incurable genetic condition that is one of the leading causes of deaf-blindness, and is learning how to sign at 39. Jeri guides client Mary "Sunshine" Edwards' fingers over Sunshine's Braille workbook during one of their weekly lessons. Jeri fears that without daily practice, Sunshine will be slow to pick up the new language. Roger, one of Jeri's regular support service providers (SSP) looks for a particular pack of cookies while shopping for groceries in Walmart with Jeri. The role of an SSP is to assist the deaf-blind person with visual cues they are unable to see but not to rob them of their independence. Roger compares an image he took of Jeri's air freshener as they figure out whether or not it is the same scent. EMMA HOWELLS/Tulsa World Jeri throws a bowling ball alongside other bowlers at Andy B's lanes in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She founded a bowling league for blind bowlers. The rail assists her in keeping a straight path to the lane. Bill Self, Jeri and David Cooper, Jeri's ex-husband, all visually impaired, try to track a competitors' frame. Lisa, one of Jeri's frequent SSPs, introduces Jeri to Lisa's friend Denise. In a noisy environment like a bowling alley, tactile contact is crucial for Jeri to participate in the conversation. Jeri signs, "Thank you," to Tulsa Drillers' announcer Dennis Higgins after he invited her to sit in on his live broadcast of the game. Jeri listens to Drillers' games on the radio and wanted to how communicate the importance of radio announcers' importance to the blind community.
