Success in Focus
Inspirational people. Real life impact.
These stories showcase the true meaning of our work. Whether someone with vision loss wants to successfully take the bus to the grocery store, safely cut vegetables for dinner, return to work, or play their favorite sport, there are no limits to the inspiration we encounter or our commitment to helping our clients thrive. It is through these stories that you can discover all that is possible.
Testimonials
“There’s so much you can do!”
TESTIMONIAL NUMBER 1
Chuck
My Vision
I was diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) in the fifth grade. As a kid, it was hard to get used to slowly losing my vision. I knew eventually I could be blind, so I tried living a large portion of my life as a normal, sighted person.
My vision now is not great. It’s hard to describe what I do see and if fluctuates day to day. I’m at the point now that I have to stop relying on the vision that I do have.
My Work
Being around people who are going through what I am and making friends is very helpful and rewarding. I’ve been getting services through VisAbility Pittsburgh for over 20 years now. I was originally interested in their help with my computer, as well as Zoom text technology. Being in this environment inspired me to do more and explore the opportunity to work as part of their Industries Program. I had previously been a homemaker and worked in a record store, but nothing like this. I like working with my hands and building, so getting to work on manufacturing and assembly projects has been a joy! I was a little intimidated at first, but my wife was very supportive and encouraged me to get back out there and stay motivated.
My wife also signed me up for Blind Outdoor Leisure Development (BOLD), and that’s how I got engaged in blind tennis. She woke a sleeping giant! I’ve always loved sports and especially baseball, but my hitting started suffering in the ninth grade due to my vision loss. These days, I can still see the tennis ball and it also has a rattle in it that makes noise when you hit. The County has helped in creating new courts and I’m getting more involved in the U.S. Blind Tennis Association (USBTA).
My Independence
My guide dog Beckett has really helped to get me out there. I have renewed confidence and he’s actually a pretty fast paced walker, so we get a lot done together. You have to trust your dog and yourself out in the world.
I’ve had really bad days and I’ve been down and get frustrated. But ultimately, I’ve never felt my calling to live and do, play tennis and even help others so strong as it is now. Competitive sports was something I had been missing and now I want to pass on this joy to others too. Maybe I’ll get into coaching blind tennis because I’d like to stay involved and help – I have all the confidence and more than ever. There’s so much you can do!
TESTIMONIAL NUMBER 2
Lance
My Vision
I was born with a vision impairment that has created gradual vision loss over the years. We knew I’d have to learn to live without sight, so I was connected to vision assistance programs through Sunnyside School. This included large print options, some braille tutoring, and I worked with audio books, on my computer skills, etc. From here, I continued on to Brashear High School and had a chance to work with a vision teacher. In college, I majored in sports management with adaptive physical activity minor. I eventually switched to include Community Programs for Americans with Dis well as one for Adaptive Aquatics.
My Work
I always knew I wanted to do and experience more with independence, so I was first introduced to VisAbility Pittsburgh through their summer program in High School. The program helped to train me on assistive technology and I was able to partake in their low vision program where I was fitted with proper glasses, sunglasses, and trained on how to cook, clean, do laundry and everyday activities for myself. After high school, I started to explore downtown blindfolded to gain confidence and experience the world completely without sight. Early on this adventure, I would react to obstacles or small things like branches. But around age 18, I was paired with my first guide dog. This is when I learned to trust my dog and myself.
My Independence
After college, I did telemarketing from home for a while, but wanted to look for different work because I don’t like sitting still! I searched through OVR and found VisAbility Pittsburgh’s Industries Program. Here, I like to try it all – I do assembly, shipping and receiving and really anything I can get my hands on. It’s been eight years now and my sister and I are looking to move into the city to be closer to my work. This organization has helped me with so much adaptive and empowering growth – but it’s up to me to put in the work. You get to decide how far you want to go and how much you want to do in this life. If you want to work, you can! And I like to play too. Goal Ball is a sport for the blind and visually impaired – like soccer with a large net and a ball with a bell inside. I also enjoy rock climbing, camping, spelunking, tandem biking and really anything that keeps me moving!
“I always knew I wanted to do and experience more with independence”
“I want to help people with vision loss know they have options for empowerment and independence”
TESTIMONIAL NUMBER 3
Amelie
My Vision
I was born in Montreal and from birth had a genetic diagnosis – which until about seven years ago was called macular degeneration. At eight months old, they told me I needed surgery. It was supposed to be a simple surgery, but I got a bacterial infection which caused a retinal detachment in my right eye. Until I was about a year old, I was in the hospital, then had to go back for more surgeries. As a toddler – they patched my left eye to see if they could get my right eye to be stronger, but it did not work, and my right eye has no function. I have low vision in my left eye and am legally blind but can see colors, people, but at a certain distance, things lose field of vision. My diagnosis is progressive and was a gene mutation. I have an eight year old boy, so I wanted to know if he had the same and he does. His current vision loss is not aggressive, but he receives services through his school with a vision instructor. I’ve learned a lot through my son’s journey. I want him to have a better experience than I did.
My Work
My experience inspired me to do more and help others. I have a Master’s Degree in Community Mental Health through Duquesne University’s Department of Education. My undergraduate degree is in Psychology and my interest in working with others in various stages of vision loss, grief and concern is a big driver for me professionally. I’m currently the Client Intake Specialist and run Peer Support at VisAbility Pittsburgh and I’m here to help make the community better for those who are blind. I first came to VisAbility in 2012 when I was referred by OVR for training on assistive technology and Zoom text. By 2022, my path lead back to VisAbility when I wanted to help create my own nonprofit to provide support to families with visual impairments. My goal was to create helpful resources and let families know they are not alone in this journey. I checked in with VisAbility to see how our resources may overlap or work together and I ended up leaving with a Program Specialist job offer. This is where I can make the most impact and help the most families.
My Independence
My next steps personally and professionally are about advocacy. I want to help people with vision loss know they have options for empowerment and independence. No one deserves to feel isolated in our community when there are so many opportunities available. With the technology we have at our fingertips now and resources through VisAbility Pittsburgh, it’s time to have hope! I’m excited to go out into the community to help draw more people in who need our help. I ride the trolly and the bus to get here every day and I now serve on the committee for accessible transit for PRT. The committee acts as a representative for individuals who need accessible transit. I want everyone to know there’s always someone there who will listen to them and understand, relate, and walk alongside them while they find all they have access to. Vision loss is a diagnosis but it’s not a sentence. You shouldn’t be told “no” just because of vision loss. I’ve been told “no” a lot and I want show people that there’s so much more.
TESTIMONIAL NUMBER 4
Francesco
My Vision
When I was not even a year old, I had eye surgery for crossed eye surgery. I’ve worn glasses since kindergarten and have experience field-of-sight loss. While growing up in Pittsburgh Public Schools, I participated in the Orientation and Mobility program and the Assistive Technology program since the 3rd grade. This program helped me get familiar with Zoom Text, which makes parts of the screen bigger and easier for low vision students to succeed. I dove into the technology education available to me such as more elevated keyboard skills and how to use shortcuts while straining my eyes less. In high school, I studied computer science and software development. Starting my sophomore year, I volunteered at VisAbility Pittsburgh because I had received services here. I then became a paid intern under the Ticket to Work program. Fast forward, in college, I majored in Computer Science and Math minor and when I graduated, I was acting as a landscaper, but looking for a job in my field.
My Work
There soon was a perfect position match at VisAbility for an Assistive Technology Instructor. I dove into this position and now have the chance to meet clients and assess what skills and vision they have and make a plan for how I can make their life easier. I see what people need and I learn software so I can teach them. In one case, a client wanted to excel at her job, but needed to properly read barcodes for stocking that were tiny. I created an app for her so she can magnify, read and succeed! I think technology allows visually impaired and blind people compete in the workplace. I want to make them more competitive and more likely to be hired. The more accessible something is, the more it helps everyone. There’s a bridge between sighted and visually impaired members of our community – as this bridge grows stronger and shorter, it will help everyone on a whole.
My Independence
Professionally, I want to keep learning because the technology advances keep advancing and there’s no limit to what we can do to assist our low vision and blind community. The more I know the more I can teach. There’s a future where the bridge between the sighted and impaired community finds even more common ground. For example, Siri helps sighted and impaired equally and who knows what’s around the corner to enhance independence for those with vision loss and blindness. I want technology to help more people find this independence. The unknown can be scary – you may think there’s no way to get there. But if you are willing to try or are interested, chances are these resources will change your life. You really can do most of the things you want to do. I want both kids and adults to know you’re not alone, so never be embarrassed to ask for help.
