"I knew that it would be a real challenge..."

I suffered a stroke that affected the right side of my body, including the loss of vision in the right half of both eyes.  Shortly thereafter, I contracted a viral infection, which settled near the optic nerve, and went undetected for several weeks.  As a result, I lapsed into a coma. 

With effective treatment, I recovered slowly from the infection, but I was left with no vision except for light/dark perception.  After several weeks in the hospital, I returned to my home to recuperate.  With little usable vision and in very frail health, I could not care for even my most basic needs.

The long trip back…
With the help of an excellent visiting nurse and many old and new friends, I slowly began to regain my strength and a little of my vision.  A very serious blow came when my employer terminated me because they had “no use for an employee who couldn’t see.” 

As my physical health began to improve, my emotional health plummeted.  I felt worthless.  I just knew that no one would want a blind employee, mate or friend.  I was all but certain my life was not worth living.

“In the ‘Sound of Music' Julie Andrews said that when God closes a door, He opens a window. I was soon to experience windows being flung wide open.”

A long time friend told me about Vocational Rehabilitation.  After two meetings with my counselor, I was told that I would be referred to the Bosma Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired.  Finally, I felt that there was someone who wanted me just as I was and could help me in a few small ways.  Little did I know!

My first day was one I will never forget.  The most amazing revelation was that I was not the only “one”.  There were nine other women and men who were just like me, and they seemed to be handling life pretty well.  I was intrigued and excited; I wanted what they had, and I was willing to go to any lengths to get it.  At last, hope loomed on the horizon.

Through the next five months of daily training in mobility and orientation, communications, personal management and adaptive technology, I realized that I was still a valuable person with many gifts and talents to offer others.  I was no longer useless or worthless.

With new enthusiasm…
I started my job search.  Staff helped me search the web to gain access to state jobs, a friend read the want ads every Sunday, and I began to work my personal network. 

I knew that it would be a real challenge, but I was determined that I would work again.  I received several interviews, promptly followed by “thanks, but no thanks” letters.  I taped the rejection letters to the wall in my bedroom as a reminder that every no brought me that much closer to a yes. 

I finally received a telephone call from the new executive director of Training, Inc., an organization I had worked with four years previously.  She knew that I had the skills and the understanding of the program, but she hadn’t met me and didn’t know about my vision. 

Success…
As the fates would have it, her cousin was a Bosma counselor for many years.  Because of this, she knew about visual impairments and was well aware of the abilities of the visually impaired.  She told me that she admired me for my courage and offered me the job on the spot.  There are no accidents in life.

~S. Howard