Heather is inspired to help others overcome negative attitudes related to vision loss. Because of her Lighthouse experience, she is now in college to become a counselor.
Heather is an articulate individual, who you might not believe is blind. People have always questioned her visual impairment, because she has led a very independent life. Heather is the proud mom of 2 fine sons, and a wonderful wife to husband Andy. She has always devoted her time to her family, but recently circumstances have changed.
Heather was born with Amblyopia in both eyes, which means she had lazy eyes. Heather had corrective surgery, but a few year later, she was diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP), which is progressive tunnel vision with the loss of color vision, night vision, and visual acuity. RP caused Heather to struggle with school; however she was mainstreamed and did everything herself. She finished high school, started college and then she married Andy and started her family.
For the longest time, Heather managed effectively at home and in the community even though her tunnel vision was like looking through a straw. By 2014, she was preparing for an empty nest and began her own internet fitness coaching business. Then, overnight, her visual acuity decreased permanently to 20/300 (legally blind is 20/200). After a few months, Heather was ready to return to work, but she couldn’t see her computer so she came to the Lighthouse for adaptive skills training.
Photos are of Heather helping a client in the kitchen, and Heather with some of the teens from the summer program.
At the Lighthouse, Heather enrolled in 5 different programs—Independent Living Skills, White Cane, Jaws (computer screen reader), Braille, and iPhone. It was during her Independent Living Skills Program that she experienced an epiphany. From her peers, she learned that vision impairment carries such a negative connotation that most people who are visually impaired or blind allow themselves to become disabled by their own attitudes and the attitudes of others. It became very clear to Heather that her true calling is to help people and their families overcome negative attitudes related to vision loss, so they can all lead normal and productive lives.
Heather had this epiphany almost the moment her classes began. She sat beside an elderly client who was very negative about learning new things. So Heather began helping her find her chair, her cup, identify money, and move from room to room. The elderly client’s mood changed and the client became motivated to learn and do things independently. Soon Heather’s gentle approach, upbeat personality, and her wonderful sense of humor were helping everyone in the class to embrace class activities, develop confidence in their emerging skills, and improve their outlook for the future. Once completing her training, Heather became a volunteer in the Independent Living Skills Program. Then she became employed at the Lighthouse as a camp counselor for both the children’s and the teens’ summer programs.
According to Heather, “I was overjoyed with the opportunity to work with the kids and teens. The Children’s Camp was a full week of energetic and amazing kids. What a great time we had learning about being independent and being self-sufficient. The Teen Transition Program was also an experience I will never forget. We went on numerous field trips to learn about work and the teens got some really great hands on work experience that they desperately need.”
Heather also says that at the Lighthouse, she felt for the first time that she was really connected to people who are visually impaired and blind. She had no idea she could help people with vision impairments because of her own experience, and she is learning it’s very liberating to be that person in someone else’s life.
The Lighthouse team is very proud of Heather. She is a role model for all people she comes into contact with, because she strives to be independent and to motivate others. She also has raised a wonderful family—just like Heather, her husband and sons are extremely sensitive and thoughtful to the needs of others. Heather has been visually impaired all of her life, but now she has a new vision—to make a difference in the lives of other people with vision impairments.
Life after the Lighthouse Training
After graduating from Lighthouse (LVIB), Heather’s life became extremely busy. First, she went to Pasco-Hernando State College, then Saint Leo University where she graduated with a Bachelor’s in Social Work. She was hired at LVIB as a Social Worker, an Independent Living Skills Instructor for adults and seniors, and finally as the Youth Program Coordinator for the Children’s and Teens’ Programs. Then in March 2021, she became the Associate Director of Philanthropy at Southeastern Guide Dogs, Inc.
According to Heather, “the skills and opportunities provided by LVIB have made such an impact on my life. I am busier and am enjoying my life, now more than ever. I have become more active in my community and am raising awareness for the visually impaired and blind so that others can see the ability of someone who is blind is very much the same as a sighted person. Thank you to LVIB for giving me back my life.”
During Women’s History Month 2021, Heather was chosen as an inspirational women of Tampa Bay by ABC Action News! Learn more: Woman uses loss of vision to help others; credits New Port Richey non-profit for helping her.