PORTLAND — The Iris Network Rehabilitation Center graduated its first class of four students in December. An intensive, individualized, immersive program in vision rehabilitation was completed by Robert Hartford of Oxford, Pauline Hoffman of Casco, Jeffrey Nadeau of Washburn and Sudeep Stauble of Portland.

The transformative, three-month program is designed to impart both independent living skills and pre-vocational training for individuals with vision impairment or blindness. The graduation marked a powerful milestone in the career trajectory of each participant.

Center director, Rabih Dow, noted, “It takes grit and patience to go through a vision rehabilitation program for the student and for their family and friends.” He also underlined that what is learned in rehabilitation is theirs for life — it can’t be taken from them and it can’t be broken. This was echoed in remarks made by the students following the receipt of their certificates.

Pauline Hoffman said, “Thank you for now, but thank you for the future, too.”

Robert Hartford added thanks to the members of the board of directors and emphasized, “Keep it going!”

FMI: www.theiris.org/services/rehabilitation-center.