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Community Interests

Some of you know that I lost my eyesight in 1996 when a brown recluse spider bit me on the tip of my nose as I lay sleeping in my bed in Glendora, California. Spiders are attracted to your breath. Research scientists looking for spiders take canister of carbon dioxide into the Amazon while searching for spiders to attract them.
That spider bite changed my life forever. Since then, whenever anyone asks how I’m doing, I usually say "At this very moment I'm just fine and this very moment is the only one that matters."
I am fortunate to have a happy spirit. I am fortunate to find joy and beauty in simple things - to me they are life's greatest gifts.
I have been invited to travel to Washington D.C. in March, 2009 as an advocate for Prevent Blindness America. When asked what I would like for Congress to know about being blind, it mostly has to do with being scared to get out in public, especially now that people are always on the cell phone, calling, texting, eating in their cars and fiddling around doing this and that while driving. It seems to me that many people concentrate on everything except watching the road. Many times I have been in a crosswalk while using my white cane and cars zoom by and I barely miss getting hit.
This one thing causes so much stress and anxiety.
Being blind is a full time job. On a good day, everything you do takes twice as long or longer.
Much progress has been made to help blind people since The Braille system - a method that is widely used by blind people to read and write - was developed by Louis Braille in Paris, France in 1821, but there is still so much to do with so many ways needed to improve the quality of life.
I attended Blind School and after many years I'm fortunate to have recovered my health and much of my vision. I am currently a candidate for a cornea transplant at Doheny Eye Center - USC Medical Center in Los Angeles. I also get books on tape and Braille books and magazines from The Braille Institute Library Services in Los Angeles. These bring a certain amount of normalcy to my daily life and for this I am thankful.
The world is a nicer place if human beings feel that their life is worthwhile, that they contribute to society, and that they are able to remain independent.
It is my wish that America would slow down while driving on neighborhood streets. That everyone would follow the Golden Rule: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."
I grew up in the late 50s when life had a gentleness about it. People were kind to each other and days were filled with gracious moments. Today rudeness and haste prevails. It’s not pretty and it takes a toll on everyone.
Please keep in mind that - - in a flash - - your life can change. Please go gently through your day and be aware of others . . . I promise to do the same for you.