At the age of 40, and after 20 years of being a productive, tax-paying citizen, I became blind. This seemed like an almost insurmountable loss at the time, but with a positive attitude, I felt life wasn’t over quite yet, but rather, it had just changed course, so I tried to remain optimistic. I enrolled in the Idaho Commission for the Blind school in Boise, Idaho to learn about alternative techniques that blind people use. I was told that I should be able to perform at a new job by using these new blindness skills.
One month after completing my training, I met the National Federation of the Blind. I attended a state convention in Pocatello, Idaho. I told them my dream of becoming a teacher. You see, over most of my previous career I sold computers, and developed and taught computer classes to many of my customers. It was during that time that I discovered how much I enjoyed teaching. In fact, I remember telling many of my customers that, if I could ever get a chance to start over, I would be a teacher. As I have already mentioned, I told this to those at this state convention.
The people I met at this convention not only encouraged me with their positive spirit, but backed it up with money, in the form of a scholarship. It was exciting for me to find other blind people that shared the same positive philosophy as I had, before my blindness. I truly wanted to believe them.
That summer I attended my first national convention of the National Federation of the Blind, in Atlanta, Georgia. Words cannot describe the variety of emotions I felt as I met the people at this convention. I was greatly encouraged, yet overwhelmed. I found blind individuals from all walks of life, successful in a multitude of careers, individuals with goals and a purpose.
I met people just like me, or at least, the same age and in similar circumstances, and receiving scholarships, and moving ahead with their life in a positive way. I was told that my blindness was not a limitation, and that if I applied myself, and worked hard, I too could be like one of these individuals. I entered college that fall with new hope, and much higher expectations.
The National Federation of the Blind put their money where their mouth was, so to speak, by rewarding me a second state scholarship the next year, and selecting me as a recipient for a national scholarship, which I received at the NFB national convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This convention totally changed my life.
I should point out at this point that by this time, I had helped organize a local chapter in which I served as president, and that I had recently been elected as 2nd vice president to the NFB of Idaho affiliate. In other words, I was not merely a member, but an active member, there is a difference.
During this national convention, I had the opportunity to meet many of the most successful blind people of this nation. I discovered that these were ordinary individuals like you and me, but with one unique difference, their attitude. An entire book could probably be written about what this attitude entails, but suffice it to say, they live a life of success and true independence that we all strive for as blind individuals. Most importantly, however, these were people who’s opinions and advice I knew I could trust. They seemed to believe in me, more than I believed in myself.
Now let us fast forward through the last year of fund-raising, chapter meetings, state board meetings, college classes, lobbying congress in Washington D.C., hosting the NFB of Idaho state convention in my home town, and other NFB activities too numerous to mention, to this last NFB National Convention, held in Louisville, Kentucky.
Just like the previous two national conventions I had attended, new and exciting experiences were aplenty. It’s seems obvious now, that each national convention that one attends, is very unique, and in my case, I come away from them with new ideas, attitudes, friendships, and a better understanding about our cause, and about myself. At this convention, however, I came away with something even greater, a job offer. I was approached by BLIND, Inc. of Minneapolis, Minnesota, which offered me a position as the Computer Instructor at their training center for the blind. In other words, teaching computers! For me, this position is a dream come true, as computers are my forte, and teaching was a career objective of mine.
Now, why do I tell you all of this? Well, I feel that it was my own active participation with the National Federation of the Blind that created this opportunity.
I had a choice when I joined the Federation, to sit on the sidelines and shout the hoorahs, or to become actively involved. I chose the latter. By doing such, I met and created friendships with others that are pro-active in "Changing What it Means to be Blind". These people, in turn, learned about me, and my strengths and experience. More importantly, however, they encouraged and motivated me by their own attitudes and abilities.
Some might say at this point that, well, you just got that lucky break, or, you just knew the right people at the right time, or something like that. To this I would respond, yes, I did know the right people at the right time, but it wasn’t luck. I simply played an active role, as any member of the NFB, can and should. I sought out opportunities within the organization that might be able to utilize the skills that I possess.
Others might say, well, you had an advantage because you were a national scholarship winner. This is also somewhat true, as I met a lot of people this way. However, I discovered at my very first convention, that if I simply introduced myself to any of the state presidents or other leadership within this organization, they were warm, friendly, and excited to meet new people. What I am trying to say is this, it takes more than words, it takes action.
So where am I going with all of this? Simply put, by becoming actively involved within the NFB, seek out opportunities that can utilize your own God-given talents and abilities, and you will create your own "lucky breaks" in life. These "breaks" may come from within the NFB, or they may not, but active involvement will give you more confidence and a greater attitude about your own abilities. This change is yourself WILL be noticed by others, including future employers.
For me, these changes have created "A New Beginning" in my life. I state it that way because I don’t look at my opportunity as a destination, but as a success in my life that will only create greater opportunities for me to grow and develop as an individual.
As my good friend, and president of the NFB of Idaho, Larry Streeter, once told me, "The NFB is not just a philosophy, it is a way of life." I believe this to be true, and the sooner that every blind person understands this and believes this, the sooner we can all raise to the level of success each of us desire. By living this philosophy we can, and will, "Change What it Means to be Blind."