"If I go totally blind I believe I can -- I will -- manage."

Former Bosma Rehabilitation Center client Michael Brown credits his time at Bosma Rehab for helping him move from a hopeless place to a state of triumph.

In 2006, his health and eyesight deteriorated due to diabetic retinopathy.  “I went through a down period for awhile, then someone told me about Voc Rehab here in Richmond, Indiana," says Michael. "Through my case manager I learned about Bosma.”

After a visit to Bosma, Michael decided to go through Rehab at Bosma. “Even though I’m legally blind, I wanted them to run me through as totally blind, to try to get my mindset right in the fear of being totally blind and not be petrified.” He went through the Rehab classes wearing a night cover over his eyes. “I also worked in the Manual Skills area. I made a belt, was able to take down a door lock, break it down, and put it back together.”

At first, Michael viewed the Manual Skills area as daunting. “Before I started I thought it was going to be a real problem, not being able to see. But once I got started, it was no problem. They were surprised at my dexterity and speed,” he says. “I was surprised as well!”

Michael’s Orientation and Mobility instruction took him to the streets with O&M Instructor Bill Noll. “He said I have a good sense of awareness of walking straight. That part made me feel better, working with the cane if I were to go totally blind. I was able to do everything he showed me,” says Michael.

During his 66 days at Bosma Rehab, Michael also spent time in the kitchen working with the Personal Management instructor. Blindfolded, he prepared deep fried wings, chicken noodle soup from scratch, from the boiling to the deboning to chopping and adding veggies. He also made a chicken mousse and a relish tray, cleaned up, loaded and unloaded the dishwasher.

“Mrs. Emata was amazed at what I was able to do,” he says. “Owning my own home, I was already cooking and cleaning. If I go totally blind, I believe I can—I will—manage.” In Personal Management, Michael says he learned how to be more methodical and organized in the kitchen, and to slow down when he was chopping and preparing meals. “It reassured me that if I go totally blind, I have no reason not to try or do.”

Michael’s most proud accomplishment as a result of his time at the Bosma Rehabilitation Center came in the form of fulfilling a promise. “I promised my mother that I would get a Bachelor’s Degree before I die,” he says. Voc Rehab provided him with computer software, and at Bosma he learned to use it  so he could complete the degree he began before he lost his vision. “I went back and graduated in 2009 with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work,” says Michael.

Michael is a success, in Bosma’s eyes and in life.