Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Learning Braille and My New Blog

I just enrolled in an online Braille Class and had to pass an enrollment test.  I had to write a quick story about a part of my life.  Below is what I wrote.  In my opinion I still have a lot of vision left but I am legally blind and you don't want me on the road driving anymore.  : ) Last Fall I started Mobility Training to help me get around easier.  I  am doing the training 'completely blind' so I can learn how to use a cane better.  I plan on sharing about my those experiences in this blog along with other stories that I think may interest people.  

My Sister-in-law Stephanie inspired me to start this blog by encouraging me to write about my 1st Cycle Oregon Experience and surprisingly it was well received.  So, thank Stephanie for opening up a new world to me!!!  I hope you all enjoy my postings and I would love feedback from you.  Good or bad!  Cheers, Keith

I just had my 9th anniversary of being legally blind.  I became legally blind on March 10, 2005.  It happened sooner that I ever thought and I had no idea how I would get around as a professional project manager for a construction company or how i would take care of my 2 daughters.  I was very distraught with this new obstacle.  A lot of tears were shed in the days just after the big news.

I was born with Retinitis Pigmentosa but had had a very 'normal' life up until that point.  My life was going to have many changes if I was going to continue to be active with work, fun and as a dad. 

I moved into town (closer to work) so i could be on a bus line and live near schools for my girls.  I could still ride a bike so I was able to get groceries (with the help of a bike trailer) and make it to different events more easily.  My daughters and I still did everything we always did, it just took longer.  Sometimes a LOT longer.  We traveled to Maui, we traveled to the east coast, we traveled to the San Juan Islands.  We traveled by ferry, taxi, bus, train, friends cars, by foot, by bike and by plane.  We smelled more, we saw more, we heard more and we felt more.  We met more people.  We saw more wildlife. 

People tend to feel bad for me.  What they don't understand is my life is more rich now that I'm legally blind.  There has been so many wonderful gifts that have come from my loss of vision.  I appreciate life more.  I accept what I have more.  I more easily accept help (love) from others.  I am more calm.  I am more happy.  yes, there are times when losing my vision is scary and hard.  or just a pain.  But everyone has some obstacle in their lives.  RP is one of mine.  I love the life I have lived and i wouldn't change a thing. 


9 comments:

  1. This is Michelle, not Chris......but he found your blog before I did! I am just logged in as him!! I think it's a fabulous idea. I have never once thought of you as a "legally blind" person. It does not define you in any way. You are just a great guy that enjoys his life, lives his life, and shows others that focusing on a handicap is no way to live! Keep on doing what you are doing Keith!! You are a very fortunate man who has a very rich life. THAT is what our life focus should be. Many folks could learn much from you. <3 ~Michelle

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  2. thanks so much Michelle for all your words!!! means so much to me!!!!!!! xo

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  3. Well-written and heartfelt! Keep it up!

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  4. Keith you are an inspiration to us all. You never fail to amaze me. If you are the one with the disability why is it that I always looking to you for counsel? Well done my feriend. Cheers, Derek

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    1. thanks buddy!!! I feel our relationship is very reciprocal. Having you and Lynette in my life makes it MUCH better!

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  5. Thanks for this, Keith. It takes a lot to let people in to such personal thoughts and feelings. It will help more people than you know.

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  6. I applaud your courage, although it may seem like you have no other choice but to tackle these things. You could become a recluse, a shut-in. So yes, very courageous. Thanks for sharing your experiences with us. It gives me a clear perspective on what it's like to be blind and insight on how I can help others I encounter. I'm floored that people make rude comments. Yikes!

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  7. Keith, I had no idea how busy you have been. As Clint Eastwood says in Heartbreak Ridge, "Improvise, Adapt and Overcome" is something you appear to have famously mastered. I am very proud of you my brother!!! Congratulations on such a beautiful family. I spoke with your parents during two different facebook chat sessions. They both directed me to your blog. An example of your supporting family constantly networking on your behalf, I sincerely love them!!! Very proud of you Keith but you're still the dirtiest Baaaaaaaaaaastard I have ever known!!!!

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    1. thanks Mitch for your words! looking forward to hanging out with you again!!!!!ya diiiiiiiiiiirrrrrrrrrtttttttyyyyyyyy baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaastard!

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