"I didn’t think I’d ever work again.”

Like many who are visually impaired, Daniel Diaz didn’t think he needed help. He was getting by at the job he held for 21 years before his degenerative eye condition (retinitis pigmentosa) forced him to make a hard decision. 

“I still had some vision but realized I was putting myself and others at risk. I had to quit my job. I missed it, and I was depressed. I didn’t think I’d ever work again,” Daniel said.

He lived on his savings for almost a year before signing up for Social Security, which put the wheels in motion. From there, his name was passed along to the state’s vocational rehabilitation offices, and soon after, Bosma contacted him to offer a home visit.

Jared Woodard from Bosma introduced Daniel to many adaptive devices designed to make life easier, safer, and more fulfilling. At that point, Daniel was not using his cane and Jared encouraged him to come to Bosma for Mobility Training.

"I was only going to stay a week, but I was enjoying the training. When I saw what others were doing, I wanted to stay and learn more,” Daniel said.

While there, he heard about the Business Enterprise Program (BEP)* but dismissed the possibility largely due to his lack of business experience and computer skills. However, he was intrigued by the thought of having his own business.

Daniel is originally from Honduras, and English is his second language, so he was reluctant to take the computer classes taught by Bill Powell at Bosma. After the first day, Daniel wanted to quit but Bill encouraged him to finish the week and then decide. 

“He was right. He spent the entire week with me, and by the end, I could send out emails and use the computer for my BEP training. That guy is my angel," Daniel said. 

The entire experience, from the first day he walked into Bosma to his state assessment, certification, and approval as a BEP owner, took about six months.
 

Today, Daniel has his own business with seven locations in South Bend, Indiana. His wife, Esmeralda, works with him; together, they are growing the business and their confidence. 

“I’m now playing Beep Ball (baseball for the visually impaired). Jared invited me to a practice where I tried it out. I took two pitches, two strikes, and then had a hit. I was hooked.

“It’s the first thing that’s gotten me out of the house since I quit my job. I love the competition. We go to tournaments and spend time with the players and their families. It has me motivated to do better at everything.

“I’m proud that I went to Bosma and didn’t quit. I should have done it before, but I guess the timing had to be right. Today, I have my own business, and I’m in charge of my own success,” Daniel said.