(L to R) Jarrod Davies, OD, Jillian Benoit, Robin Benoit, Robin Price, OD.
LEWISVILLE, Texas—Capping off a marketing competition, Utah Valley University (UVU) students were treated to a discussion with authors Jillian Benoit and her mother Robin on March 22 to discuss vision-related learning challenges and how vision therapy can help. About 30 people attended the event in Orem, Utah, including university students and faculty as well as families from the community.

A team of UVU communication students is working with the non-profit organization Optometric Extension Program Foundation to create an effective online marketing campaign for the book “Jillian’s Story: How Vision Therapy Changed My Daughter’s Life” as part of Google’s Online Marketing Challenge competition.

 
 Jillian Benoit and Dr. Robin Price demonstrating the Brock String, a vision therapy activity that provides feedback about where the two eyes are pointing. This can be used to help the patient develop better eye teaming skills.
The team of three students, along with UVU Communication assistant professor Matthew J. Kushin, selected the non-profit organization, Jillian’s Story, for the marketing competition and is also learning online marketing concepts including effective use of Google AdWords.

“We’re so happy to be able to help bring Robin and Jillian to UVU,” noted Heather Padgett, national marketing manager for Hoya Vision Care, NA, which sponsored the event. “For the communications students it is a great opportunity to meet the people who authored the book they are marketing, and for the community at large, the subject of undetected vision problems in children and the value of vision therapy is an important message.”

 
 Students from Utah Valley University trying out the Brock String activity. 
The Benoits shared the struggles and successes described in their book, which is a non-academic and personal approach to vision therapy. “I’ve learned that vision problems are as troubling for adults as they are for children and teens,” Jillian Benoit said. “Undiagnosed and untreated vision challenges follow adults into their later years, sometimes disrupting careers.”

Local optometrists Dr. Robin Price and Dr. Jarrod Davies were on hand to answer questions and explain the vision therapy they provide in their Pleasant Grove, Utah practice.  ■