Buddies

Let me tell you about a couple of my buddies. I've been doing a lot of things with three of the students here: Jim, Terry, and Ian. They all have different eye conditions. Jim has RP, Terry has macular degeneration, and Ian is an albino which predisposes him to visual problems. Jim and Terry are about my age and we do quite a few things together. We go out to eat, joke around, and do some walking together. Jim was a CAD (Computer Aided Design) operator until three years ago when his vision became too poor to operate the CAD. He hasn't driven for about eleven years but still gets around quite well. He has some of the poorest vision of all the students.

Likewise, Terry doesn't see very well either. He has had macular degeneration most of his life, has never driven a car, and is possibly one of the funniest persons I've ever known. He has a line about everything and is quick on his feet with his wit. Although he's had eye problems most of his life, he was a state champion pole vaulter in 1970. He ran his own business for 25 years and might start the business program that the school has. That program deals with vending machines--filling them and repairing them. That job is something our program can train people to do.

Ian just graduated from high school last spring and has some vision problems associated with his albinism. When you think of a person who is an albino, you think of no pigmentation in his genes. He has white hair and very white skin and usually wears long pants and a long-sleeved shirt along with a hat when he goes out. We go out to eat together quite frequently and we end up usually going to the same place. He ends up ordering the exact same thing from the menu every time! His vision is not as poor as my other two buddies' vision. He is planning on attending college in the future.

Hopefully after everybody's done with the school my buddies and I can still keep in touch. More later.