[Music] Erik Weihenmayer climbed to the top of
Erik Weihenmayer climbed to the top of
Erik Weihenmayer climbed to the top of the highest mountain on all seven
the highest mountain on all seven
the highest mountain on all seven continents Cathy Nimr is Teacher of the
continents Cathy Nimr is Teacher of the
continents Cathy Nimr is Teacher of the Year in Indiana and in the top four in
Year in Indiana and in the top four in
Year in Indiana and in the top four in the country
the country
the country Tom wood Kowski is vice president at
Tom wood Kowski is vice president at
Tom wood Kowski is vice president at Comcast NBC Universal Lani bedwell kayak
Comcast NBC Universal Lani bedwell kayak
Comcast NBC Universal Lani bedwell kayak the 226 miles of the Grand Canyon
the 226 miles of the Grand Canyon
the 226 miles of the Grand Canyon Diane Berberian is a triathlete and
Diane Berberian is a triathlete and
Diane Berberian is a triathlete and Ironman competitor now these rock stars
Ironman competitor now these rock stars
Ironman competitor now these rock stars are at the top of their game but they
are at the top of their game but they
are at the top of their game but they have one interesting thing in common
have one interesting thing in common
have one interesting thing in common they’re all blind
they’re all blind
they’re all blind I met a blind person for the first time
I met a blind person for the first time
I met a blind person for the first time 17 years ago it was my newborn son
17 years ago it was my newborn son
17 years ago it was my newborn son Michael until that point I I don’t know
Michael until that point I I don’t know
Michael until that point I I don’t know any blind people I mean I knew of blind
any blind people I mean I knew of blind
any blind people I mean I knew of blind people so I grew up in the 70s and 80s
people so I grew up in the 70s and 80s
people so I grew up in the 70s and 80s and Stevie Wonder was all over the radio
and Stevie Wonder was all over the radio
and Stevie Wonder was all over the radio and and on TV at the award shows and
and and on TV at the award shows and
and and on TV at the award shows and also on TV was one of my favorite shows
also on TV was one of my favorite shows
also on TV was one of my favorite shows of all time back then was Little House
of all time back then was Little House
of all time back then was Little House on the Prairie so if you were a fan you
on the Prairie so if you were a fan you
on the Prairie so if you were a fan you might remember that one episode where
might remember that one episode where
might remember that one episode where the one daughter Mary woke up completely
the one daughter Mary woke up completely
the one daughter Mary woke up completely blind the parents were devastated I was
blind the parents were devastated I was
blind the parents were devastated I was devastated
devastated
devastated I mean it was they they they freaked out
I mean it was they they they freaked out
I mean it was they they they freaked out they had to ship her off to a school for
they had to ship her off to a school for
they had to ship her off to a school for the blind where she had to live I didn’t
the blind where she had to live I didn’t
the blind where she had to live I didn’t have real life role models for blindness
have real life role models for blindness
have real life role models for blindness so all I knew about blindness was it
so all I knew about blindness was it
so all I knew about blindness was it would be lonely isolating devastating
would be lonely isolating devastating
would be lonely isolating devastating the day that our journey into blindness
the day that our journey into blindness
the day that our journey into blindness began was like one of those days went
began was like one of those days went
began was like one of those days went you know in the movies when everything’s
you know in the movies when everything’s
you know in the movies when everything’s picture-perfect and then all hell breaks
picture-perfect and then all hell breaks
picture-perfect and then all hell breaks loose that was my day I mean I was it
loose that was my day I mean I was it
loose that was my day I mean I was it was back in the year 2000 and I was
was back in the year 2000 and I was
was back in the year 2000 and I was living in my brand-new McMansion with my
living in my brand-new McMansion with my
living in my brand-new McMansion with my perfectly manicured green lawn and I had
perfectly manicured green lawn and I had
perfectly manicured green lawn and I had the perfect little family of mommy daddy
the perfect little family of mommy daddy
the perfect little family of mommy daddy and bouncing baby boy swear to god we
and bouncing baby boy swear to god we
and bouncing baby boy swear to god we lived in a town that was always rated
lived in a town that was always rated
lived in a town that was always rated the number one place to raise a child
the number one place to raise a child
the number one place to raise a child I was in my 20s I I still had the
I was in my 20s I I still had the
I was in my 20s I I still had the perfectly shiny hair that didn’t require
perfectly shiny hair that didn’t require
perfectly shiny hair that didn’t require all the product to get that shine it was
all the product to get that shine it was
all the product to get that shine it was amazing it was a perfect life actually
amazing it was a perfect life actually
amazing it was a perfect life actually and then a doctor told me not so much I
and then a doctor told me not so much I
and then a doctor told me not so much I was like blind wait what he’s blind
was like blind wait what he’s blind
was like blind wait what he’s blind come on how blind very blind
come on how blind very blind
come on how blind very blind well he’ll play baseball right no oh my
well he’ll play baseball right no oh my
well he’ll play baseball right no oh my god will he drive no well what’s he
god will he drive no well what’s he
god will he drive no well what’s he gonna do well I’ll have to learn Braille
gonna do well I’ll have to learn Braille
gonna do well I’ll have to learn Braille Braille and he’s gonna have to walk with
Braille and he’s gonna have to walk with
Braille and he’s gonna have to walk with a white cane the blind cane my son
a white cane the blind cane my son
a white cane the blind cane my son Kristen the life you had planned for
Kristen the life you had planned for
Kristen the life you had planned for your son isn’t gonna happen good luck as
your son isn’t gonna happen good luck as
your son isn’t gonna happen good luck as that doctor finished talking the feeling
that doctor finished talking the feeling
that doctor finished talking the feeling that had grown in the pit of my stomach
that had grown in the pit of my stomach
that had grown in the pit of my stomach climbed its way up to my heart and it
climbed its way up to my heart and it
climbed its way up to my heart and it was squeezing tighter and tighter as
was squeezing tighter and tighter as
was squeezing tighter and tighter as images of the life I had planned for my
images of the life I had planned for my
images of the life I had planned for my son were racing through my mind it’s
son were racing through my mind it’s
son were racing through my mind it’s things that I had planned since before I
things that I had planned since before I
things that I had planned since before I even met him
even met him
even met him I mean baseball prom his wedding MVP
I mean baseball prom his wedding MVP
I mean baseball prom his wedding MVP valedictorian summa laude I mean his
valedictorian summa laude I mean his
valedictorian summa laude I mean his dad and I were pretty talented athletes
dad and I were pretty talented athletes
dad and I were pretty talented athletes so I figured I had the football
so I figured I had the football
so I figured I had the football quarterback or starting baseball pitcher
quarterback or starting baseball pitcher
quarterback or starting baseball pitcher I mean in every scene in my mind he he
I mean in every scene in my mind he he
I mean in every scene in my mind he he was achieving succeeding and happy the
was achieving succeeding and happy the
was achieving succeeding and happy the whole scene went dark without one
whole scene went dark without one
whole scene went dark without one sentence from the doctor your son is
sentence from the doctor your son is
sentence from the doctor your son is blind but here’s the thing it would take
blind but here’s the thing it would take
blind but here’s the thing it would take me a while but I would come to figure
me a while but I would come to figure
me a while but I would come to figure out that those were my dreams for my son
out that those were my dreams for my son
out that those were my dreams for my son that was the life I planned for him but
that was the life I planned for him but
that was the life I planned for him but what about Michael what about his dreams
what about Michael what about his dreams
what about Michael what about his dreams I mean he was just getting started on a
I mean he was just getting started on a
I mean he was just getting started on a journey that he was supposed to be on
journey that he was supposed to be on
journey that he was supposed to be on and to live a life the way he wanted to
and to live a life the way he wanted to
and to live a life the way he wanted to live it hmm it turns out that my son has
live it hmm it turns out that my son has
live it hmm it turns out that my son has a mutation in a gene by the name of CR
a mutation in a gene by the name of CR
a mutation in a gene by the name of CR b1 and this mutation causes an inherited
b1 and this mutation causes an inherited
b1 and this mutation causes an inherited retinal disease called Leber’s
retinal disease called Leber’s
retinal disease called Leber’s congenital amaurosis we just say LCA
congenital amaurosis we just say LCA
congenital amaurosis we just say LCA because it
because it
because it easier and shorter so CRB one LCA
easier and shorter so CRB one LCA
easier and shorter so CRB one LCA attacks the two pieces of the retina
attacks the two pieces of the retina
attacks the two pieces of the retina that you use to see the rods and the
that you use to see the rods and the
that you use to see the rods and the cones so the rods are for your nighttime
cones so the rods are for your nighttime
cones so the rods are for your nighttime vision and the cones are for details and
vision and the cones are for details and
vision and the cones are for details and colors like you’re using your cones
colors like you’re using your cones
colors like you’re using your cones right now to see all the details of my
right now to see all the details of my
right now to see all the details of my face CR b1 LCA patients like my son
face CR b1 LCA patients like my son
face CR b1 LCA patients like my son don’t see at night and they can’t see
don’t see at night and they can’t see
don’t see at night and they can’t see print in a book
print in a book
print in a book Michael’s never see my smile and he
Michael’s never see my smile and he
Michael’s never see my smile and he actually has no idea what I look like
actually has no idea what I look like
actually has no idea what I look like CR b1 LCA is a rare disease that only
CR b1 LCA is a rare disease that only
CR b1 LCA is a rare disease that only affects about 300 kids in the United
affects about 300 kids in the United
affects about 300 kids in the United States I know it’s that rare both
States I know it’s that rare both
States I know it’s that rare both parents have to be carriers of this to
parents have to be carriers of this to
parents have to be carriers of this to have an affected child and each
have an affected child and each
have an affected child and each pregnancy stands a 25% chance of an
pregnancy stands a 25% chance of an
pregnancy stands a 25% chance of an effective baby the CR p1 LCA is not
effective baby the CR p1 LCA is not
effective baby the CR p1 LCA is not included in those prenatal and
included in those prenatal and
included in those prenatal and premarital blood screenings as you can
premarital blood screenings as you can
premarital blood screenings as you can probably imagine I struggled with this
probably imagine I struggled with this
probably imagine I struggled with this for for longer than I care to admit and
for for longer than I care to admit and
for for longer than I care to admit and there was one particular morning when
there was one particular morning when
there was one particular morning when Michael was 3 years old I was stuck I
Michael was 3 years old I was stuck I
Michael was 3 years old I was stuck I got out of bed and and made it to the
got out of bed and and made it to the
got out of bed and and made it to the foot of my bed where that’s as far as I
foot of my bed where that’s as far as I
foot of my bed where that’s as far as I made it that morning and I was stuck in
made it that morning and I was stuck in
made it that morning and I was stuck in fear of how to raise a blind child well
fear of how to raise a blind child well
fear of how to raise a blind child well because I didn’t know how to do that and
because I didn’t know how to do that and
because I didn’t know how to do that and if I’m being honest I was stuck in in
if I’m being honest I was stuck in in
if I’m being honest I was stuck in in grief over the loss of the life I was
grief over the loss of the life I was
grief over the loss of the life I was supposed to have you know and I was
supposed to have you know and I was
supposed to have you know and I was having one of my many conversations with
having one of my many conversations with
having one of my many conversations with God we’ll call it that it’s a full-blown
God we’ll call it that it’s a full-blown
God we’ll call it that it’s a full-blown tantrum one sided tantrum
tantrum one sided tantrum
tantrum one sided tantrum and I was getting pretty good at them
and I was getting pretty good at them
and I was getting pretty good at them giving him the what’s now and how this
giving him the what’s now and how this
giving him the what’s now and how this really should go down you know and I
really should go down you know and I
really should go down you know and I could hear Michael playing in his room
could hear Michael playing in his room
could hear Michael playing in his room down the hall from mine so I was doing
down the hall from mine so I was doing
down the hall from mine so I was doing all this in my head you know doing my
all this in my head you know doing my
all this in my head you know doing my screaming and yelling tantrum and I was
screaming and yelling tantrum and I was
screaming and yelling tantrum and I was just like this is so hard and I actually
just like this is so hard and I actually
just like this is so hard and I actually think it’s mean to do this to a kid and
think it’s mean to do this to a kid and
think it’s mean to do this to a kid and what did I ever do to deserve this and
what did I ever do to deserve this and
what did I ever do to deserve this and then I heard Michael making his way down
then I heard Michael making his way down
then I heard Michael making his way down the hallway Michael didn’t walk Michael
the hallway Michael didn’t walk Michael
the hallway Michael didn’t walk Michael bounced and he skipped and he glided
bounced and he skipped and he glided
bounced and he skipped and he glided through every day and he made his way
through every day and he made his way
through every day and he made his way into my room and stopped when he was
into my room and stopped when he was
into my room and stopped when he was about a foot in front of me and he said
about a foot in front of me and he said
about a foot in front of me and he said mommy are you in here
mommy are you in here
mommy are you in here yeah buddy I’m right here in front of
yeah buddy I’m right here in front of
yeah buddy I’m right here in front of you on my bed he said mommy I just had
you on my bed he said mommy I just had
you on my bed he said mommy I just had to come down here and tell you isn’t
to come down here and tell you isn’t
to come down here and tell you isn’t this the best day ever
and I was like is it and he goes mommy
and I was like is it and he goes mommy um the sun is shining and I’m playing
um the sun is shining and I’m playing
um the sun is shining and I’m playing with all my stuff and I’m just so happy
with all my stuff and I’m just so happy
with all my stuff and I’m just so happy and then he spun around and went back to
and then he spun around and went back to
and then he spun around and went back to his perfect day and hit me like a ton of
his perfect day and hit me like a ton of
his perfect day and hit me like a ton of bricks
bricks
bricks I thought he’s not stuck he’s not
I thought he’s not stuck he’s not
I thought he’s not stuck he’s not devastated he wasn’t bothered by this
devastated he wasn’t bothered by this
devastated he wasn’t bothered by this blindness thing at all I was the one
blindness thing at all I was the one
blindness thing at all I was the one stuck and so bothered and I had such a
stuck and so bothered and I had such a
stuck and so bothered and I had such a limited view of this that all I could
limited view of this that all I could
limited view of this that all I could see was blindness is devastating what I
see was blindness is devastating what I
see was blindness is devastating what I couldn’t see was right in front of me
couldn’t see was right in front of me
couldn’t see was right in front of me the happiest three-year-old the happiest
the happiest three-year-old the happiest
the happiest three-year-old the happiest kid I had ever met things started racing
kid I had ever met things started racing
kid I had ever met things started racing through my mind like the the pictures of
through my mind like the the pictures of
through my mind like the the pictures of a typical day with Michael at that point
a typical day with Michael at that point
a typical day with Michael at that point I mean him playing out in the driveway
I mean him playing out in the driveway
I mean him playing out in the driveway with that yeah Cozy Coupe car thing and
with that yeah Cozy Coupe car thing and
with that yeah Cozy Coupe car thing and then him splashing around in the
then him splashing around in the
then him splashing around in the neighborhood pool and and playing at the
neighborhood pool and and playing at the
neighborhood pool and and playing at the playground always smiling always living
playground always smiling always living
playground always smiling always living completely unaffected by his challenge
completely unaffected by his challenge
completely unaffected by his challenge Michael couldn’t see with his eyes but
Michael couldn’t see with his eyes but
Michael couldn’t see with his eyes but he could experience the world with his
he could experience the world with his
he could experience the world with his entire self I mean he could hear and
entire self I mean he could hear and
entire self I mean he could hear and taste and touch and feel his way through
taste and touch and feel his way through
taste and touch and feel his way through everything life had to offer he just
everything life had to offer he just
everything life had to offer he just couldn’t see with his eyes didn’t bother
couldn’t see with his eyes didn’t bother
couldn’t see with his eyes didn’t bother him at all I was the one that had been
him at all I was the one that had been
him at all I was the one that had been blind to the possibility of my son
blind to the possibility of my son
blind to the possibility of my son having an amazing life so right then and
having an amazing life so right then and
having an amazing life so right then and there I decided to stop seeing Michael’s
there I decided to stop seeing Michael’s
there I decided to stop seeing Michael’s world as I thought it should be and
world as I thought it should be and
world as I thought it should be and instead how Michael saw it he completely
instead how Michael saw it he completely
instead how Michael saw it he completely shifted my perception of blindness at
shifted my perception of blindness at
shifted my perception of blindness at that point in that little three-year-old
that point in that little three-year-old
that point in that little three-year-old taught me to see a whole new future for
taught me to see a whole new future for
taught me to see a whole new future for him I was amazing
him I was amazing
him I was amazing so who loves a curve ball my life is
so who loves a curve ball my life is
so who loves a curve ball my life is full of them my second baby Mitchell was
full of them my second baby Mitchell was
full of them my second baby Mitchell was diagnosed with CR b1 LCA just like
diagnosed with CR b1 LCA just like
diagnosed with CR b1 LCA just like Michael this time though things are
Michael this time though things are
Michael this time though things are different now I had a role model I had
different now I had a role model I had
different now I had a role model I had Michael and he had already taught me to
Michael and he had already taught me to
Michael and he had already taught me to see this whole thing differently and I
see this whole thing differently and I
see this whole thing differently and I did
did
did I grabbed my two boys by the hands and
I grabbed my two boys by the hands and
I grabbed my two boys by the hands and we jumped into the typical over
we jumped into the typical over
we jumped into the typical over scheduled ridiculous life that everybody
scheduled ridiculous life that everybody
scheduled ridiculous life that everybody else was living I mean we went to the
else was living I mean we went to the
else was living I mean we went to the playground every day and we were at the
playground every day and we were at the
playground every day and we were at the birthday parties every single one of
birthday parties every single one of
birthday parties every single one of them and we signed up for every views a
them and we signed up for every views a
them and we signed up for every views a class that we could fit into our
class that we could fit into our
class that we could fit into our schedule as they got older they joined
schedule as they got older they joined
schedule as they got older they joined the football team and they wrestled and
the football team and they wrestled and
the football team and they wrestled and went out for the soccer team too now
went out for the soccer team too now
went out for the soccer team too now okay I was right there with them in all
okay I was right there with them in all
okay I was right there with them in all of this guiding describing narrating all
of this guiding describing narrating all
of this guiding describing narrating all the visuals that came their way and
the visuals that came their way and
the visuals that came their way and Jonah the blessing is and all of that
Jonah the blessing is and all of that
Jonah the blessing is and all of that having to be with them teaching them
having to be with them teaching them
having to be with them teaching them about the world at that level I got to
about the world at that level I got to
about the world at that level I got to be in their world all the time where
be in their world all the time where
be in their world all the time where they talked to me all the time they
they talked to me all the time they
they talked to me all the time they shared with me all their thoughts oh
shared with me all their thoughts oh
shared with me all their thoughts oh their their dreams god they’re ginormous
their their dreams god they’re ginormous
their their dreams god they’re ginormous dreams and when the time came for them
dreams and when the time came for them
dreams and when the time came for them to be independent and they let go of my
to be independent and they let go of my
to be independent and they let go of my hand and took that white cane
hand and took that white cane
hand and took that white cane I was actually cool with that I was
I was actually cool with that I was
I was actually cool with that I was because the thing I learned from guiding
because the thing I learned from guiding
because the thing I learned from guiding two blind kids to be independent it
two blind kids to be independent it
two blind kids to be independent it showed me that that our kids are
showed me that that our kids are
showed me that that our kids are extraordinary and they’re remarkably
extraordinary and they’re remarkably
extraordinary and they’re remarkably capable if we give them the right tools
capable if we give them the right tools
capable if we give them the right tools my guys had their tools and they were
my guys had their tools and they were
my guys had their tools and they were ready to go and and little by little I
ready to go and and little by little I
ready to go and and little by little I stopped regretting what I thought they
stopped regretting what I thought they
stopped regretting what I thought they were missing and instead I let them
were missing and instead I let them
were missing and instead I let them teach me what I was missing so we were
teach me what I was missing so we were
teach me what I was missing so we were in Hawaii and learned how to surf
in Hawaii and learned how to surf
in Hawaii and learned how to surf Michael patiently learned the rhythm of
Michael patiently learned the rhythm of
Michael patiently learned the rhythm of the ocean and he figured out when to
the ocean and he figured out when to
the ocean and he figured out when to pick the right wave and ride it into
pick the right wave and ride it into
pick the right wave and ride it into Shore then there was me I was awful I
Shore then there was me I was awful I
Shore then there was me I was awful I was awful he had to coach me on when to
was awful he had to coach me on when to
was awful he had to coach me on when to ride the wave and then we were in
ride the wave and then we were in
ride the wave and then we were in Colorado and had a chance to snowmobile
Colorado and had a chance to snowmobile
Colorado and had a chance to snowmobile on this ginormous mountain and I’m at
on this ginormous mountain and I’m at
on this ginormous mountain and I’m at the top thinking how do you begin to
the top thinking how do you begin to
the top thinking how do you begin to describe the spectacular view to them
describe the spectacular view to them
describe the spectacular view to them they’d have time to wait on me
they’d have time to wait on me
they’d have time to wait on me describing they were busy talking about
describing they were busy talking about
describing they were busy talking about the changes in air pressure and and
the changes in air pressure and and
the changes in air pressure and and temperature and wind speeds mean their
temperature and wind speeds mean their
temperature and wind speeds mean their view was so much broader than mine then
view was so much broader than mine then
view was so much broader than mine then we had an opportunity to be in Florida
we had an opportunity to be in Florida
we had an opportunity to be in Florida where we were we spent time on the west
where we were we spent time on the west
where we were we spent time on the west coast in the East Coast and compared the
coast in the East Coast and compared the
coast in the East Coast and compared the two on laying their watch and sunrises
two on laying their watch and sunrises
two on laying their watch and sunrises and sunsets and trying to think of names
and sunsets and trying to think of names
and sunsets and trying to think of names of colors to tell them they were off
of colors to tell them they were off
of colors to tell them they were off comparing the the intensity of the waves
comparing the the intensity of the waves
comparing the the intensity of the waves and the difference in textures of the
and the difference in textures of the
and the difference in textures of the sand and Mitchell was all over
sand and Mitchell was all over
sand and Mitchell was all over collecting all the different shells that
collecting all the different shells that
collecting all the different shells that he could find I mean they had so much to
he could find I mean they had so much to
he could find I mean they had so much to do and so much to talk about so there’s
do and so much to talk about so there’s
do and so much to talk about so there’s this this term in blindness called
this this term in blindness called
this this term in blindness called sighted guide and it refers to a sighted
sighted guide and it refers to a sighted
sighted guide and it refers to a sighted person guiding a blind person through a
person guiding a blind person through a
person guiding a blind person through a new or maybe a complicated space it’s
new or maybe a complicated space it’s
new or maybe a complicated space it’s pretty simple the blind person takes the
pretty simple the blind person takes the
pretty simple the blind person takes the elbow or the wrist of the sighted person
elbow or the wrist of the sighted person
elbow or the wrist of the sighted person and they walk together spending so many
and they walk together spending so many
and they walk together spending so many years being the sighted guide for my
years being the sighted guide for my
years being the sighted guide for my boys has allowed me stay in touch with
boys has allowed me stay in touch with
boys has allowed me stay in touch with them really in touch with them you know
them really in touch with them you know
them really in touch with them you know what I mean and now they’re my guides
what I mean and now they’re my guides
what I mean and now they’re my guides for the things that I should be seeing
for the things that I should be seeing
for the things that I should be seeing in this world and one thing they’re
in this world and one thing they’re
in this world and one thing they’re adamant about is not to be seeing any
adamant about is not to be seeing any
adamant about is not to be seeing any limb
limb
limb on their lives I mean they’ve been on
on their lives I mean they’ve been on
on their lives I mean they’ve been on this limitless adventure where they’re
this limitless adventure where they’re
this limitless adventure where they’re they’re thriving and they’re so normal
they’re thriving and they’re so normal
they’re thriving and they’re so normal you know that years ago we enrolled them
you know that years ago we enrolled them
you know that years ago we enrolled them in the regular public schools in our
in the regular public schools in our
in the regular public schools in our neighborhood now they’re in middle
neighborhood now they’re in middle
neighborhood now they’re in middle school in high school and they’re both
school in high school and they’re both
school in high school and they’re both in the top of their class so the Center
in the top of their class so the Center
in the top of their class so the Center for Disease Control reports that there
for Disease Control reports that there
for Disease Control reports that there are 21 million Americans that are
are 21 million Americans that are
are 21 million Americans that are considered blind or visually impaired it
considered blind or visually impaired it
considered blind or visually impaired it makes up about 9% of the population but
makes up about 9% of the population but
makes up about 9% of the population but get this of that 21 million nearly 70
get this of that 21 million nearly 70
get this of that 21 million nearly 70 percent are unemployed nearly 70% of
percent are unemployed nearly 70% of
percent are unemployed nearly 70% of blind Americans are unemployed and the
blind Americans are unemployed and the
blind Americans are unemployed and the kicker is it has nothing to do with
kicker is it has nothing to do with
kicker is it has nothing to do with career options but everything to do with
career options but everything to do with
career options but everything to do with the fact that people think blind people
the fact that people think blind people
the fact that people think blind people just can’t do the work wait there’s more
just can’t do the work wait there’s more
just can’t do the work wait there’s more 30% of blind Americans are living below
30% of blind Americans are living below
30% of blind Americans are living below the poverty line only 31% will get a
the poverty line only 31% will get a
the poverty line only 31% will get a high school diploma or GED and only 14.4
high school diploma or GED and only 14.4
high school diploma or GED and only 14.4 percent will get a bachelor’s degree or
percent will get a bachelor’s degree or
percent will get a bachelor’s degree or higher and the kicker with that one is
higher and the kicker with that one is
higher and the kicker with that one is it has nothing to do with intellect but
it has nothing to do with intellect but
it has nothing to do with intellect but everything to do with a lack of access
could you imagine if only 30 percent of
could you imagine if only 30 percent of your high school class is going to
your high school class is going to
your high school class is going to graduate or only 14% of your college
graduate or only 14% of your college
graduate or only 14% of your college buddies made it to the finish line I
buddies made it to the finish line I
buddies made it to the finish line I mean blind people are denied access to
mean blind people are denied access to
mean blind people are denied access to jobs training education simply because
jobs training education simply because
jobs training education simply because we can’t get our heads around how
we can’t get our heads around how
we can’t get our heads around how someone can access the world without
someone can access the world without
someone can access the world without sight a former president of the National
sight a former president of the National
sight a former president of the National Federation of the blind said this the
Federation of the blind said this the
Federation of the blind said this the future of sighted children depends on a
future of sighted children depends on a
future of sighted children depends on a proper education the future of America’s
proper education the future of America’s
proper education the future of America’s blind children is no different is no
blind children is no different is no
blind children is no different is no different I learned that my guys are not
different I learned that my guys are not
different I learned that my guys are not different they just see things
different they just see things
different they just see things differently and quite frankly it tends
differently and quite frankly it tends
differently and quite frankly it tends to make them way more efficient than the
to make them way more efficient than the
to make them way more efficient than the rest of us I mean the things people rely
rest of us I mean the things people rely
rest of us I mean the things people rely on my blind kids for now it’s it’s
on my blind kids for now it’s it’s
on my blind kids for now it’s it’s insane so take those my guys are
insane so take those my guys are
insane so take those my guys are legendary in our neighborhood because
legendary in our neighborhood because
legendary in our neighborhood because they can hear that ice cream truck
they can hear that ice cream truck
they can hear that ice cream truck coming why
coming why
coming why before the rest of us there is a Michael
before the rest of us there is a Michael
before the rest of us there is a Michael metro always like wait for it wait for
metro always like wait for it wait for
metro always like wait for it wait for come on sighted people catch up to us
come on sighted people catch up to us
come on sighted people catch up to us catch up to us so thank God technology
catch up to us so thank God technology
catch up to us so thank God technology finally caught up to them and closed a
finally caught up to them and closed a
finally caught up to them and closed a ton of gaps in the classroom for us so
ton of gaps in the classroom for us so
ton of gaps in the classroom for us so take a look at this this is called the
take a look at this this is called the
take a look at this this is called the apex Braille note and it’s about the
apex Braille note and it’s about the
apex Braille note and it’s about the size of an iPad sort of my guys can read
size of an iPad sort of my guys can read
size of an iPad sort of my guys can read and write in Braille with this and the
and write in Braille with this and the
and write in Braille with this and the best part is it hooks up to a regular
best part is it hooks up to a regular
best part is it hooks up to a regular printer so they can print out their work
printer so they can print out their work
printer so they can print out their work for their sighted teachers to see it but
for their sighted teachers to see it but
for their sighted teachers to see it but they’re moving even faster than that now
they’re moving even faster than that now
they’re moving even faster than that now they just email all their stuff directly
they just email all their stuff directly
they just email all their stuff directly to their teachers who get it they access
to their teachers who get it they access
to their teachers who get it they access the Internet with this that you stick a
the Internet with this that you stick a
the Internet with this that you stick a jump drive on the side and they can read
jump drive on the side and they can read
jump drive on the side and they can read all of their books and textbooks in
all of their books and textbooks in
all of their books and textbooks in Braille yeah it’s so cool I mean with
Braille yeah it’s so cool I mean with
Braille yeah it’s so cool I mean with such a game-changer for us and it isn’t
such a game-changer for us and it isn’t
such a game-changer for us and it isn’t just this I mean computers cell phones
just this I mean computers cell phones
just this I mean computers cell phones even cable TV they’re all being
even cable TV they’re all being
even cable TV they’re all being redesigned so that the blind and sighted
redesigned so that the blind and sighted
redesigned so that the blind and sighted can use the same product and get the
can use the same product and get the
can use the same product and get the same access it’s amazing I mean take it
same access it’s amazing I mean take it
same access it’s amazing I mean take it from me a mom of three thriving kids
from me a mom of three thriving kids
from me a mom of three thriving kids that things are finally changing in the
that things are finally changing in the
that things are finally changing in the world of the blind and got ahead of
world of the blind and got ahead of
world of the blind and got ahead of myself let me back up for a second I had
myself let me back up for a second I had
myself let me back up for a second I had a third child sorry I had a third child
a third child sorry I had a third child
a third child sorry I had a third child and and when Carissa was born I didn’t
and and when Carissa was born I didn’t
and and when Carissa was born I didn’t need a doctor to tell me I saw her eyes
need a doctor to tell me I saw her eyes
need a doctor to tell me I saw her eyes and I saw her eyes recognize that I was
and I saw her eyes recognize that I was
and I saw her eyes recognize that I was her mom it was a look my boys never had
Carissa can see but she has a unique
Carissa can see but she has a unique advantage that’s even more convenient
advantage that’s even more convenient
advantage that’s even more convenient than sight by the time Carissa was born
than sight by the time Carissa was born
than sight by the time Carissa was born we were nearly five years into
we were nearly five years into
we were nearly five years into accessibility I mean she walked with her
accessibility I mean she walked with her
accessibility I mean she walked with her brothers on the bridges that we spent
brothers on the bridges that we spent
brothers on the bridges that we spent years building inclusion and access they
years building inclusion and access they
years building inclusion and access they were words that she didn’t need to learn
were words that she didn’t need to learn
were words that she didn’t need to learn she lived them since birth I had two
she lived them since birth I had two
she lived them since birth I had two blind kids and then I gave birth to this
blind kids and then I gave birth to this
blind kids and then I gave birth to this little sighted person that would
little sighted person that would
little sighted person that would automatically include adapt for and
automatically include adapt for and
automatically include adapt for and embrace
embrace
embrace everyone it’s a gift that I’m finding so
everyone it’s a gift that I’m finding so
everyone it’s a gift that I’m finding so few people have but everyone that meets
few people have but everyone that meets
few people have but everyone that meets Carissa sees it Chris has grown up
Carissa sees it Chris has grown up
Carissa sees it Chris has grown up watching her blind brothers go to school
watching her blind brothers go to school
watching her blind brothers go to school play sports get elected to student
play sports get elected to student
play sports get elected to student council get in trouble she enjoys way
council get in trouble she enjoys way
council get in trouble she enjoys way too much and she’s watched them succeed
too much and she’s watched them succeed
too much and she’s watched them succeed and fail just like the rest of us
and fail just like the rest of us
and fail just like the rest of us blindness it’s in the background at our
blindness it’s in the background at our
blindness it’s in the background at our house and it’s in the background of the
house and it’s in the background of the
house and it’s in the background of the homes and lives and careers of people
homes and lives and careers of people
homes and lives and careers of people living without sight to take a look at
living without sight to take a look at
living without sight to take a look at these kids and what do you think they
these kids and what do you think they
these kids and what do you think they all have in common they’re all baseball
all have in common they’re all baseball
all have in common they’re all baseball players right these were regular teams
players right these were regular teams
players right these were regular teams in our regular town and my guys wanted
in our regular town and my guys wanted
in our regular town and my guys wanted in Michael and Mitchell were the only
in Michael and Mitchell were the only
in Michael and Mitchell were the only blind kids to take the field
blind kids to take the field
blind kids to take the field Michael led the team in RBIs Mitchell
Michael led the team in RBIs Mitchell
Michael led the team in RBIs Mitchell was his team’s fastest baserunner they
was his team’s fastest baserunner they
was his team’s fastest baserunner they both were voted as all-stars they both
both were voted as all-stars they both
both were voted as all-stars they both were on teams that went to the
were on teams that went to the
were on teams that went to the championship and they’ve both won when I
championship and they’ve both won when I
championship and they’ve both won when I gave birth to my kids I expected success
gave birth to my kids I expected success
gave birth to my kids I expected success achievement and above all else happiness
achievement and above all else happiness
achievement and above all else happiness for all three of them now I initially
for all three of them now I initially
for all three of them now I initially saw blindness as a barrier to all of my
saw blindness as a barrier to all of my
saw blindness as a barrier to all of my dreams but once I had a change in
dreams but once I had a change in
dreams but once I had a change in perception my eyes were open and man I
perception my eyes were open and man I
perception my eyes were open and man I saw their successes their achievements
saw their successes their achievements
saw their successes their achievements and every day their happiness a change
and every day their happiness a change
and every day their happiness a change in perception can happen for all of us
in perception can happen for all of us
in perception can happen for all of us at any point in time I highly recommend
at any point in time I highly recommend
at any point in time I highly recommend it sooner than later
it sooner than later
it sooner than later thank you
thank you
thank you [Applause]
[Applause]
[Applause] [Music]
”
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