March 20, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) --Raul was blind for four years due to diabetes.  He lives alone and couldn’t leave his house, walk to the store or do daily tasks.  Last winter he was very cold because he couldn’t see well enough to make a warm fire. 

With the help of Mountain Health’s Senior Transportation Program, Raul has been able to get to and from his doctor’s appointments including surgery for his eyes, and pick up his eye drops and diabetes medications.  Today, Raul can see 70% better in his right eye after having multiple surgeries.  He recently underwent surgery on his left eye that resulted in seeing shadows and light. 

Raul said, “Your program is God sent.  Without it, none of this would have happened.  It’s just a miracle!”  He has a better outlook on life and states with a huge smile on his face, “My future is looking brighter now that I can see my grandkids.”

January 30, 2013 (San Diego’s East County)--ECM World Watch helps you be an informed citizen about important issues globally and nationally. As part of our commitment to reflect all voices and views, we include links to a wide variety of news sources representing a broad spectrum of political, religious, and social views. Top world and U.S. headlines include:

WORLD

• Egypt's leader declares emergency after clashes (Reuters)
• Canadian opposition introduces bill that makes secession easier (Reuters)
• Images suggest NKorea ready for nuke test  (U-T San Diego)
• After threatening the US, North Korea turns its ire on South Korea (U-T San Diego)
• Around The Globe, Women Already Serve In Combat Units (NPR)
• Violence flares on anniversary of Egypt uprising (Jerusalem Post)
• Russian forces kill three militants in North Caucasus (Reuters)
• 15,000 crocodiles escape in South Africa? Police need herding help after floods (Christian Science Monitor)
• Russia's Vladimir Putin says West is fomenting jihadi 'blowback' (Christian Science Monitor)
• Muslim ‘modesty patrol’ stalking streets of London (Jerusalem Post)
• Court rejects Saudi blogger case (BBC)

NATIONAL

• Title IX redux? Education Dept. says school sports can't shut out disabled. (Christian Science Monitor)
• Court won't hear challenge to Clean Air Act rule (U-T San Diego)
• Regulator: Huge cuts coming to New England fishing (U-T San Diego)
• Shocking: Reporting Factory Farm Abuses to be Considered ‘Act of Terrorism’ If New Laws Pass  (Alternet, reprinted at San Diego Free Press)
• Anonymous threatens Justice Dept. over hactivist death (CNN)
• Court: Obama appointments are unconstitutional (U-T San Diego)
• Court says EPA overestimates biofuels production (AP)
• Pentagon researches new life for dead satellites (Sacramento Bee)
• Court overturns another Guantanamo conviction (Reuters)
• Pentagon To Dramatically Expand 'Cyber Warrior' Force (NPR)

HEALTH

• New Norovirus Strain Rips Through The U.S. (NPR)
• Scientists create 'tractor beam' (BBC)
• Heroin: Small cities, even rural towns face growing problems (Christian Science Monitor)
• Long-term aspirin 'blindness link' (BBC)
• New lingo for consumers: health overhaul glossary (U-T San Diego)
• Health insurance exchanges will transform market (U-T San Diego)
• Bird, Plane, Bacteria? Microbes Thrive In Storm Clouds (NPR)
  

• Mayor: City’s structural deficit over (10 News)
• San Diego has most expensive gas in nation (UT San Diego)
• Low rainfall may mean more local conservation (10 News)
• Get to know new District 9 candidates: Speak City Heights (Voice of San Diego)
• Teen struck by trolley was becoming ‘man of integrity’ mentor says ; has shown improvement from brain injury (La Mesa Patch)
• Case shows flaws at special police force (UT San Diego)
• Boy accused of killing friend receiving ‘extraordinary care’ (10 News)
• Heroin use jumps 229 percent amongst county’s young adults (Santee Patch)
• Refugee moms and their American daughters bond through cooking (KPBS)

• Consumer advocates, unions back healthcare ballot measures (Sacramento Bee)
• California Republican party endorses auto rates initiative (Sacramento Bee)
• Fewer than 1 in 3 California registered Republican (Sacramento Bee)
• Democrats want to extend guaranteed retirement savings to private sector (Sacramento Bee)
• Investigation alleges abuse cover-up at California centers for the disabled (KPBS)

October 23, 2011 (El Cajon) -- The always rousing wheelchair basketball game, where tumbles and spills are as much a part of the action as the pivoting and spinning of custom-built wheelchairs across the gym floor, is set for noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 26, at the Cuyamaca College gym as part of the college’s annual commemoration of National Disability Awareness Month.

September 30, 2011 (San Diego's East County) -- East County Roundup highlights top stories in our region and state, published in other media outlets.  These week's top Roundup headlines include:

•          Tribe attempts to evict private military contractor: Los Coyotes band in a legal standoff with Blackwater-tied company (San Diego CityBeat)
•          Ballot effort to repeal fire fee falls short (Sacramento Bee)
•          San Diego family of 3 needs $63,000 to be self-sufficient (KPBS)
•         San Diego ATM fees second highest in nation (KPBS)
•          Tankers for Sunrise Powerlink project upsets residents (10 News)
•          Palomar Mountain State Park campgrounds close for good (signonsandiego.com)

•          California breaks from 50 state probe into mortgage lenders[will conduct own probe] (Los Angeles Times)
•          Education lawsuit would impact future California budgets (Sacramento Bee)
•          Advocates for disabled to sue over state budget cuts (Sacramento Bee)
•          FPPC looks at easing candidate reporting requirements (KPBS)