HOME-GROWN BUSINESS : Mentor business helps people who have vision impairments

Lifestyle Editor

If you are 65 or older and possess the visual acuity to make out the words on this page, you are a member of a shrinking majority.

According to Debbie Kogler, owner of Magnifiers & More, one out of five people in that age group have visual impairment. By 2010, it will be one out of three. By 2030, when the Baby Boomer generation peaks into old age, one out of two will be visually impaired.

"It's an epidemic," says Kogler, a state and nationally licensed optician.

Five years ago, Kogler left the security of her position with the Cleveland Clinic to launch a business that would help visually impaired persons live independently for as long as possible. While Kogler had worked with visually impaired persons in her professional career, it wasn't until her grandmother, Margaret Allen, developed a low-vision disease that sent Kogler looking for products that would allow her grandmother work around her disability. She discovered there wasn't much available beyond basic, off-the-shelf magnifiers.

"Because of that disease, I felt the frustration she went through," says Kogler. "That piqued my interest to find out if there were more devices for someone with low-vision impairment."

Kogler says her grandmother inspired her to eventually open a store on Mentor Avenue and dedicate her life to helping people with this issue.

"It was a calling," she says. "I truly believe it was my grandmother and God telling me this was needed in Lake, Ashtabula and Geauga counites.

The store is located at 9775 Mentor Avenue (Route 20), across from the Great Lakes Mall. Her shop is in the rear section of the Pier 1 Imports store.

Bright, spacious and well-stocked, Kogler's store is more than a place to purchase things. She offers free consultations and has a section of the store set up like a living room with a television and recliner so shoppers can test out products. Kogler will conduct a basic vision acuity test, as well, although most shoppers come prepared with the results from their latest eye examination.

What the first-time visitor isn't prepared for, however, is to be greeted by the business' CEO - that's Canine Executive Officer.

Murphy Kogler, a 6-year-old golden retriever as gentle as the fallen snow, greets every customer, then returns to his lair under Kogler's desk or playing with one of the dozens of "executive toys" in his cache.

"A lot of people come in just to see him," says Kogler. "Around this time of year, we start to get presents in here, and they are all for Murphy."

Murphy is a licensed service and therapy dog trained by his owner. He and Kogler volunteer their Wednesdays at a school for special needs children.