About Us
Dedicated to and serving people with vision loss through employment, services, support, and kindness.
Founded in 2005, KC Vision Performance has provided life-changing services to thousands of people throughout the Kansas City region. KC Vision Performance is operated by Alphapointe, a non-profit organization founded in 1911 dedicated to empowering people with vision loss to achieve their goals and aspirations. Alphapointe operates two clinics: KC Vision Performance and the Alphapointe Low Vision Clinic in Kansas City, Mo. Based on your needs, where you live, your schedule and other factors, when you contact us, we’ll work with you to determine the best location where you can receive our services.
Our Physician and Practitioners
Dr. Cal Wiese
“My goal is to be an advocate for patients who are experiencing a dramatic change in their lives due to vision loss.“
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Dr. Wiese is a South Dakota native who grew up on his family farm and has known from a very young age he wanted to be an eye doctor. He has a passion for golf and played competitively while getting his undergraduate degree in biochemistry from Dakota Wesleyan University. He then went on to earn his Doctor of Optometry degree from the University of Missouri-St. Louis, where he met his wife, who is also a practicing low vision optometrist in the Kansas City Area.
Dr. Wiese is passionate about serving patients who experience barriers to routine eyecare needs – whether it is seeing patients in nursing homes or helping people regain independence despite their visual impairment.
“My goal is to be an advocate for patients who are experiencing a dramatic change in their lives due to vision loss. I want to help patients maximize the vision they have and to maintain as much independence as possible, while still being able to do the things they love.”
Dr. Emily Kyle
“I am very excited to be a part of Alphapointe because of the dedication to the community and how they go beyond typical eye care to help patients.”
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Dr. Emily Kyle is originally from Roeland Park, Kansas, and attended undergraduate school at Kansas State University. After working as a technician for an optometrist during college, she was inspired to be an optometrist after seeing the changes he made to his patients’ lives. She went on to attend Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, Tennessee, where she graduated magna cum laude. She completed her residency in vision rehabilitation and pediatrics in Minnesota.
Dr. Kyle likes working with the team to change people’s perception of vision and how they live and function. She is a member of the Optometric Vision Development & Rehabilitation Association and the Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Association (NORA).
“I am very excited to be a part of Alphapointe because of the dedication to the community and how they go beyond typical eye care to help patients.”
Shannon Fugate, Master of Occupational Therapy, Occupational Therapist Registered – Licensed
“I love coming to work every day and helping individuals with vision loss find new ways of doing things”
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Shannon’s passion for supporting people with vision loss was born long before she became an Occupational Therapist. As a high school student, Shannon worked with a young girl who was diagnosed blind at birth. Watching this student grow more independent every day was the catalyst for Shannon to learn about low vision rehabilitation in her graduate program.
As an occupational therapist at Alphapointe, she evaluates clients with low vision and creates treatment plans to help maximize the person’s function with all daily activities, both at home and in the community. In her spare time you can find Shannon on the golf course or hanging out with her husband and her two dogs.
“I strive every day to help those with vision loss gain independence and live a higher quality of life.”
Becky Dumsky, Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant – Licensed
“I want … to enable each patient to reach their highest level of independence possible.”
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Becky is a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) at Alphapointe and has a UAB Low Vision Rehabilitation Graduate Certificate … the second occupational therapy assistant to complete that program.
It was more than 10 years ago while she was pursuing a degree to become an occupational therapy assistant when she toured Alphapointe with her class. Instantly, Becky became interested in the field of vision loss. Some would say – the rest is history.
She works with patients who come to our low vision clinic, and one hundred percent of her time at Alphapointe is focused on assisting, educating, and elevating a patient’s functional use of remaining vision in both the home and work environments. In this picture, for instance, Becky is with just a few of the tools of her trade. She helps people and instructs them on the use of different items that help increase their level of independence, including choosing lights with the right color for maximizing vision, increasing visibility with smartphones and iPads, utilizing magnifiers with a manual or automatic focus to help with reading, and much more.
“I want to train people with low vision how to use whatever remaining vision they have, in the best way possible, to enable each patient to reach their highest level of independence possible.”
Amber Hagge, Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant – Licensed
“I love listening to stories from my clients with low vision. It helps me better understand who I am working with and assists me in helping them in their daily activities and tasks.”
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Amber Hagge is skilled in Activities of Daily Living (ADL) and works with clients at Alphapointe to help them gain or regain their independence by teaching them new ways to pay bills, cook and clean, and handle other important daily tasks.
Amber graduated from the MCC – Penn Valley OTA Program in 2021. She has a particular passion for working with seniors, finding joy in hearing stories of a simpler time and helping her clients enhance their independence and quality of life.
“I love listening to stories from my clients with low vision. It helps me better understand who I am working with and assists me in helping them in their daily activities and tasks.”
Jason Bushland, Certified Orientation & Mobility Specialist
“I’m happy to be in a position to help people learn how to move around more safely and independently.”
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Jason is a Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist with a passion for helping people who are blind or visually impaired build confidence, independence, and freedom of movement.
With experience at the Austin, Texas, school district, the Austin Lighthouse, and Vision Loss Resources in Minnesota, Jason has developed and led programs that open doors to mobility, employment, and new possibilities for those he serves. He holds a Master’s degree in Special Education with a concentration in Orientation and Mobility from Texas Tech University and brings more than a decade of hands-on experience in adaptive instruction, coaching, and service.
Outside of work, Jason is an avid Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competitor and coach, instilling the same perseverance, discipline, and encouragement in his students that he brings to Alphapointe.
“I’m happy to be in a position to help people learn how to move around more safely and independently.”
Lynda Hansen, Orientation & Mobility Specialist
“I believe teaching people with low vision and blindness is important work. Finding their way in the world is crucial for their finding their freedom.“
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After working with elementary school children with low vision and blindness for nearly ten years, I decided to go back to school to get my Master’s certificate in Orientation and Mobility. I did my internship with Alphapointe and was immediately hired by them upon graduation. I thoroughly enjoy my time with our adult clients. It gives me real perspective into my own life and makes me realize what a blessing it is to work with these people!
In my off time, I love spending time with my grown children, going to the movies, shopping, and walking.
“I believe teaching people with low vision and blindness is important work. Finding their way in the world is crucial for their finding their freedom.”
Mandy Myers, Activities of Daily Living Instructor
“I want to help others gain daily independence and establish their own normal.“
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Mandy holds a B.A. in Psychology and Chinese from Western Kentucky University and works as an Activities of Daily Living (ADL) Instructor at Alphapointe. With a passion for empowering blind and visually impaired people, she teaches essential life skills such as clothing care, housekeeping, meal preparation, and more. By fostering practical abilities, Mandy helps Alphapointe clients build independence, confidence, and the freedom to live life the way they want.
“I want to help others gain daily independence and establish their own normal.”
Julie Burbach, Vision Therapist
“My goal is to improve my patients’ quality of life through specific vision therapy techniques and activities designed to optimize and develop their visual system.”
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Julie Burbach brings a strong background in education to Alphapointe. With a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Emporia State University, and a Master’s in Education from Baker University, Julie is passionate about empowering individuals and helping them achieve their full potential.
Even patients with 20/20 vision can experience vision issues not addressed by glasses or contacts. Vision Therapy can address these challenges and make a meaningful difference for many.
“My goal is to improve my patients’ quality of life through vision therapy techniques and procedures which are designed to optimize and develop their visual system.”
In her free time, Julie enjoys spending time with her family and friends, especially her three daughters.