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For the Blind or Visually Impaired

Excerpt from a speech made by John Battistoni to a visually-impaired audience.

…How can I strengthen my character to make me stronger instead of being defeated by this challenge?”

I was looking outside of myself to claim my worthiness, to define the person I was.
I was forced to look inward, and am so grateful that I did.
I couldn't look outward for validation, I had to look inward for strength, courage and love.
While losing, physically, I was gaining mentally, emotionally and spiritually. I was learning about the very essence of life. What can I learn about me?

So I am addressing, not the acceleration of the vision loss, but the integrity and dignity of the human spirit.

After accepting my condition, I finally thought, after painful inward focus, that now I have the chance to be a superman, a person trying to fulfill my dreams. Now I can start a new life pursuing my potential.

After that revelation, I knew that now I can focus on how I can empower my life, and help you empower yours. I created these powerful ideas:*
• Look at life as it is, not as I thought it might have been.
• Live for now and not the past.
• I received strength from facing my challenges, and so will you.
• Forgive ourselves for not getting to our expectations sooner.
• Search for new beginnings by letting go of old habits of thinking.
• Learn new ways of looking at limitations.

We have an opportunity to acknowledge who we are and grow beyond our perceived mental myopia. For those with limitations, we need to acknowledge what we have accomplished, and forgive ourselves for doing the same actions as others but differently. We need to forgive ourselves for being what we are. We did not wish this challenge. Notice I didn’t say affliction, on us.

We need to forgive others for their ignorance, arrogance, insensitivity and stereotyping.

To you, I say be proud of what you are, but not to be so proud that you can't ask for assistance. You have every right, if not more so, than anyone else to ask for help if you need it.

Thinking highly of ourselves is a critical prerequisite for being successful. Only when you regard yourself in high esteem will others recognize your worth.

To you, I say surround yourself with people who encourage, support and assist you positively in your endeavors. This is important for everybody, but it is critical for those who are visually-impaired or with limiting disabilities.

In the same vein, you need to let go of your addiction to negative thinking. You are not your illness. You are not your limitation. You are not what they tell you.
Think of yourself as a seed right now, and with proper watering, nutrition and enlightenment you can flourish to become a beautiful, stunning floral with vivid colors and a strong backbone. The bee does not care how you look. It will pollinate only if you look worthy of pollination. Learn to cultivate your own garden. Then you can correct that myopic thinking.

Think Vast!

*Resources for the visually-impaired

There are many organizations that can help persons with visual impairment or who are disabled. Search in your city or state for your particular ailment. The following are several agencies for the visually-impaired. There are many more.

This list is included here only for a convenient resource and is not meant to be a complete list.
This information is provided as a resource and does not constitute an endorsement for any group. It is the responsibility of the reader to decide whether a group is appropriate for his/her needs. This information may not be completely current and accurate. Please check with the organizations listed for the most current information.

American Council of the Blind
National. 70 affiliates. Founded in 1961.
Goal is to improve the well being of all blind and visually-impaired people and their families through education, support and advocacy. National conference, information and referrals, phone support, state and special interest affiliates (e.g. guide dog users, blind lawyers, teachers and students, etc), monthly
magazine (available in Braille, half speed cassette, large print, diskette, and online or via e-mail). Scholarships. Online job bank. Chapter development guidelines.
CALL: 800-424-8666
202-467-5081
E-MAIL: info@acb.org
WEB SITE: http://www.acb.org

Blinded Veterans Association
National. 54 regional groups. Founded in 1945.
Information, support and outreach to blinded veterans, for those who have been blinded in combat, suffering from age-related macular degeneration, and other eye diseases. Help in obtaining prosthetic devices and accessing the latest technological advances to assist the blind. Information on benefits and rehabilitation programs. Quarterly newsletter. Regional meetings.
CALL: 800-669-7079
202-371-8880
E-MAIL: bva@bva.org
WEB SITE: http://www.bva.org

Council of Citizens with Low Vision International
International. Founded in 1979.
Encourages those with low vision to make full use of vision through use of equipment, technology & services. Education and advocacy. Newsletter, information & referrals, group development guidelines, scholarships and conferences.
CALL: 800-733-2258
WEB SITE: http://www.cclvi.org

The Foundation Fighting Blindness
National. 45 groups. Founded in 1971.
Offers information and referral services for affected individuals and their families as well as doctors and eye care professionals. Provides comprehensive information kits on retinitis pigmentosa, macular degeneration, Usher syndrome and Stargardt disease. Newsletter. Supports research into the causes, treatment and prevention of retinal degenerative diseases. National conferences.
CALL: 800-683-5555
410-568-0150
E-MAIL: info@blindness.org
WEB SITE: http://www.FightBlindness.org

National Association for Parents of Children with Visual Impairments
National. 16 groups. Founded in 1980.
Outreach and support for parents of visually-impaired children. Promotes formation of local parent support groups. Increases public awareness. Newsletters.
Dues: $25/family. Group development guidelines.
CALL: 800-562-6265
E-MAIL: napvi@perkins.org
WEB SITE: http://www.napvi.org

National Federation of the Blind
National. 52 affiliates. Founded 1940.
Serves as both an advocacy and a public information vehicle. Contacts newly-blind persons to help with adjustment. Provides information on services and applicable laws. Student scholarships. Assists blind persons who are victims of discrimination. Literature, monthly meetings and magazine. Assistance in
starting new groups.
CALL: 410-659-9314
E-MAIL: communityrelations@nfb.org
WEB SITE: http://www.nfb.org

Do you want to overcome your limitations? We can coach you to move from discomfort and pain, to comfort and pleasure.

If you need assistance in personal growth, go to our Vast VisionsTM for Victory Store (click here to go page 45), e-mail us at customerservice@vastvisions.com (click here) or contact us
toll-free at 800-351-VAST (8278).

Be prepared to answer the following questions:
What do you want?
Why do you want it?
What prevents you from getting it?
What are you doing now to obtain your intentions?
What are you willing to sacrifice to get it?

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