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CREATING NEW POSSIBILITIES - LaVorn
I didn’t know I was different when I was a child. I didn't know there was something wrong with me.
I knew I wore glasses, sat at the front of the class to see the board, and held my books really close to my face so I could read the words. But the doctors never told me there was something wrong with my eyes.
My vision got worse as I got older. When I was in high school reading became more difficult for me. I didn't know there were such things as large print books or books on tape. I didn't know there were places like the Guild for the Blind that could help me. I just worked really hard and was able to graduate from high school.
College was where I hit the wall. I had a stack of textbooks and a long list of reading assignments. I simply couldn't keep up. I became very frustrated and went home to visit yet another doctor.
This time it was different. This time the doctor gave my frustration a name—macular degeneration. I could no longer hope that things would get better some day. I had to face the truth that my vision may very well get worse. As you can probably imagine, I was completely thrown for a loop.
I gave up my dream of earning a college degree. I simply didn't know how I could keep up with my coursework.
Though I went through a period of denial and self-pity, I picked myself up and went on with life. I joined a support group and learned there were other people going through the same thing I was. I received secretarial training and found a job. I slowly began working my way up the corporate ladder. Then computers found their way onto everyone's desk and became the basic tool for corporate communications.
My current position in the operations center at a major financial institution requires only minimal computer skills. I can perform my job duties well, even though I can barely read the screen. But I want more. I want to be able to participate in the technical training program my employer offers. This training could open the door for advancement. But this training is only offered on computers with screens I can't read.
I didn't let this stop me. I went to the state's Bureau of Blind Services and my counselor sent me to the Guild for computer training. He told me the Guild was the only place in Chicago where I could get the training I needed. When I walked into the training lab at the Guild and saw the information on the computers screen—could actually read the words on the screen—I knew I came to the right place.
I took a course in ZoomText, a screen magnification program that enlarges everything on the screen. Now I am more comfortable using the computer. Next I would like to take a class to help me become a more skilled user.
The training staff at the Guild has been very supportive. They are very friendly and settle me down when I get frustrated. They are even working with the technology staff at my office to get ZoomText loaded on one of the training computers so that I can participate in the same classes as my co-workers and have the same opportunities for advancement as they do.
Now that I am right on target to achieve my immediate goals I can spend some time looking to the future. I want to be an advocate for people with visual impairments once they find a job. I want to share my experience with them, help them learn their options, advocate for their rights, and encourage them to never quit. I didn't. I now read books on tape. I use a CCTV to read printed materials. And I can use a computer with ZoomText. Using these tools with my new skills will allow me to reach all my goals—including getting to Hawaii before I am 50! Return to Success Stories
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