|
Jun. 26, 2009
I'd like to introduce you to a very special friend ...
Last year, while making the selections for the FIRST EVER TOS HOMESCHOOL CREW, I met a very special lady. Her name is Renee Walker and, in addition to many other things she does to keep herself busy, she also has a blog right here at HSB. I'd encourage you to stop by and visit her blog and check out her very informative reviews.
And, since today also just happens to be Renee's birthday, be sure to say "Happy Birthday" while you're there!
Over the past year, Renee has not only become an inspiration to me, but she's someone that I proudly call "my friend". I asked her if she might take the time to answer a few questions that I can share here on my blog - questions about her life and a non-profit organization that she has set up to help others.
I'm sure that you'll be as blessed by Renee as I am. She's one special lady!
Hi, Renee! Thanks for taking the time to visit with me and my blog readers! I’m excited to introduce them to you and your business/charity. Please share with us a bit about the journey you’ve been on for the past 10 years.
Hi, I am happy to share. I was born 48 years ago hard of hearing. I have a deaf mother and a deaf uncle, so as their hearing loss had been progressive sensorineural hearing loss, it was not a shock to my parents. I continued to lose hearing until I was considered profoundly deaf in my teen years because I could no longer understand speech. I began wearing hearing aids around 6. It was discovered that I was night blind around 6, as well. Other than being nearsighted and night blind, my eyes were seemingly fine. Hearing loss continued, but I went to school to become a teacher and had no problems in school because I read lips so well. My real journey as far as I am concerned began about ten years ago when God put an obsession in my heart for His word. For two-three years, I couldn’t sleep or eat much because I couldn’t get enough of reading and deeply studying the Word. I knew He was preparing me for something, but I had no idea what. Then I began to notice vision problems. At first I thought it was the “my arms aren’t long enough” syndrome many of us get when our eyes begin to age, and we learn we need reading glasses, but it worsened. Finally after many experts and tests, I was diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa. It meant that my retina was dying starting in the peripheral areas. I found that I was already well into legal blindness and had been driving like that. My first diagnosis showed a 10 degree field of vision and by the next round of tests, the doctors no longer considered prescription lenses for my rapidly blurring central vision. I was diagnosed eventually with late stage RP. The full diagnosis was Usher Syndrome which is the genetic condition where the RP and hearing loss are combined. I had been compensating for several years and wasn’t noticing the gradual loss. I was suddenly considered DeafBlind and duly registered. It seemed overwhelming, but the miracle that God had been working in my life for the previous two-three years now left me with a complete peace that it would work out. God was truly in control of my vehicle through life. I was totally confident now in the passenger seat. I hadn’t realized it, but God had managed to switch places with me. I was no longer driving. He was the driver.
I know you went to visit the Helen Keller School for the DeafBlind in NY. Tell us a bit about that visit and what you learned there.
I went to Helen Keller National Center for the DeafBlind in August 2007. It was scary for me. I had not been so far away from family since losing my sight. Though God was with me, new places still frightened me. The people there didn’t know what to make of me at first because though I needed to learn how to do things differently, I was fully able to independently take care of myself. I had a job as a principal of a private school and umbrella program for homeschoolers. I just needed training in communicating in new ways. I needed tactual ASL, instruction on using braille displays, and contracted braille use. I had already mostly taught myself how to move independently first with a cane and then with a guide dog. I had learned uncontracted braille on my own. I had learned how to continue cleaning my house and even cook blind. The instructors got on board and took my skills to new heights. Many were pleased to be using teaching skills they had not used in a while because most of their students come knowing much less. I was lucky. God had been preparing me for this mission all along.
What prompted you to start DeafBlind Hope and who benefits from this charity?
While at HKNC, I noticed friends who were being denied equipment and even training because their state couldn’t provide and neither could they. Many were sent home too early or without anything they had learned to use to help them become independent contributors to society. In the end, I finished my training after many months away from home and returned only to be told that I would not be receiving any equipment from the Vocational Services in my state. All that work seemed for nothing. I quickly sunk into a deep depression. I could see no point in my learning to be independent using technology to earn my way if the state nor I could afford the equipment. A good braille display is about $5,000 and the software needed to let it run on a computer is an additional $1000.00. A braille embosser (prints braille) is $10,000, and I needed it to print the students’ records and teaching materials in a way I could read. How can anyone afford this equipment? I sunk lower until God pulled me up and told me to find a way to pay for it myself and to help others get what they need. DeafBlind Hope was born. I work without Assistive Technology mostly because my display is borrowed. I use it when I can. I use my residual vision which is less than 2% now and with central acuity of 20/500 to run my school and to do the extra writing jobs that I do to raise awareness and sometimes a little money for DeafBlind Hope. I also work with individuals and organizations to do fundraisers. We are providing teaching materials and an intervener (a specially trained person for the DeafBlind who are only found in Canada) for an eight year old DeafBlind child. He lost both hearing and sight within a few weeks of birth. An intervener we provided for three weeks last year taught him how to dress himself and potty trained him for the first time. When we were able to get her back for a couple of weeks, he began learning his colors, numbers, and spelling of short words. Individuals and organizations help me by holding fundraisers of all kinds and get the tax deductible donations for us. The money I receive goes straight to people who need it for their equipment or training. I do not receive a salary. Most of the overhead is covered from my school’s operating budget. This allows us to help more.
What can we – as homeschool parents, vendors of educational products, members of our local communities – do to make life easier and more pleasant for people with disabilities?
As individuals, you can help by donating, of course, knowing that your money will be used wisely and directly for a DeafBlind person’s training and equipment needs. You can set up your own fundraisers and help us get the much needed funds. However, some things that everyone can do is learn ASL and be willing to do it tactually, help a DeafBlind person in your area go shopping or read their mail (that is called a Support Services Provider), or just go and talk with someone. DeafBlind people can be the loneliest people in the world even in a crowded room because very few people can communicate with someone who can’t hear or see. Vendors and businesses can be willing to make their materials available in accessible formats. The cost isn’t overly expensive and can be written off your taxes. Take the time to ask your customers who are blind, deaf, or deafblind what they need to be able to use your products or services and be willing to accommodate them. For example, Adobe .pdf’s that are used for many homeschooling resources and e-books now are not accessible to screenreaders and braille displays. Be willing to provide your blind and deafblind customers with a .rtf (rich text format) file. Yes, copyright is hard to adhere to there, but allow your blind and deafblind customers to provide you the evidence documenting their need and have them agree to not provide the information to others in any way. If you are willing to take the time and effort, there are ways to help people with disabilities to enjoy a productive life.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with us today?
Well, it is important to know that there are many DeafBlind people in the world. There are over a million in the United States, and most are getting little to no help. Adults sit in dark rooms unable to communicate even to family. Children are being left in the back of special education classrooms literally beating their heads on the floor because their teachers love them, but do not know how to teach them. Help us to provide what these children and adults need. It is expensive, but if we all pull together and give a little in time, money, and effort, DeafBlind people can learn to be independent and give back to their communities. It is their dream. It is my dream to continue to be independent and to contribute to my world. We can’t do it alone, though. We need your help. I promise you it will be worth every bit.
I'd like to encourage you to consider making a donation to DeafBlind Hope. DeafBlind Hope is a program operated by The Joseph Aaron Evangelistic Association through its educational division, Wynfield Christian Academy. It is a 501 c(3) non-profit corporation that accepts tax deductible donations. Federal ID # is 58-1489908. In blessing others, you too will be blessed!
(Also, if you are talented in making graphics, I know she'd just love to have a logo for this very-special charity. If you would like to help by sharing of your time and talents in this way, please contact Renee or me. Thanks!)
Copyright 2006-2009 by Reviews & Reflections
 Share Your Thoughts
Jun. 26, 2009 - Thank you for sharing Renee's story
 Posted by SevenSmiths
Heidi, I really appreciate getting to know more of Renee's story. I am sorry to say that I did not get to know her very well last year, but I hope to rectify that now. I'd be honored to wish her a happy birthday. I will pray that her charity is blessed through your spotlight on her, and her work is blessed of the Lord as well.
 Share Link
Jun. 26, 2009 - Untitled Comment
 Posted by Sheri
what a lovely interview! She is right, the blind/deaf and deafblind have a hard time getting the resources they need to learn and live independently...my husband sees it every day with the blind individuals he works with. Thanks for bringing her story to our attention. I will be sure to pop over to her site and wish her a happy birthday, and some encouragement. I am also curious where she got her guide dog from as well.
Share Link
Jun. 28, 2009 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Anonymous
What a wonderful interview with Renee. I'm so glad to get to know her better. I'm heading over to her blog to wish her a happy birthday, though a bit late!
Heidi
Share Link
Jun. 28, 2009 - Untitled Comment
 Posted by SandBetweenMyToes
What an amazing woman and amazing story. It is so wonderful how God prepared her heart ahead of time. What a testimony of how God is using her life to better that of others.
I have never met a deaf/blind person, but Ashley visits a blind elderly lady at an assisted living center each week. She takes her to the bank and writes cards and letters for her. What a blessing it has been to Ashley.
Thanks so much for sharing this.
Sorry I haven't been around much. My blogging is scattered lately. And, when I'm not at home, I don't have my blog reader. I hope your family is doing great and enjoying your summer. Did you stop by mine or Briana's fb to see the new Hairspray pictures? They are so fun. : )
Letitia
Share Link
Jul. 8, 2009 - What can I say?
 Posted by proverbsmomof3
How awe inspiring and what a wonderful testament to share. I am totally moved by Renee's story!
Share Link
|
