by Eric Calhoun
As a blind person, it could be very intimidating to learn about the world around you, your blindness, and the world we live in. At 52 years of age, I have a very important message for my fellow blind people: Fall in love with learning, and never stop learning! It takes more than a village to help you.
The journey started when I was brought into the world as a full-term baby, Thursday, March 21, 1974, at 4:04 a.m. Eastern time, Philadelphia Naval Hospital, Philadelphia, Pa. I came into the world humming. My mom knew that there was something big that would happen for me. In the years following my birth, she would prove to be right.
Later in 1974, my mom would move to the beautiful Virgin Islands. For those who may not know, Saint Thomas, Saint John, and Saint Croix are the only 3 islands Americanized. However, life was not going to be easy. Living on only $136 a month is not welcome in this day in age. But we managed; I ended up getting a pre-kindergarten education in 1979, after getting a little preschool.
And then, the transition to California: My mom was given two choices with regard to living in the Virgins group: You either work, or you leave. She felt by leaving those Caribbean sandy shores, there would be nothing holding her kids and her back. As a single mom, 32 years old, what did she have to lose?
Los Angeles life and the Hollywood lifestyle was not easy at first. I didn't know where I was, but then began to get out of my shell. I enjoyed Disneyland, a few carnivals, and then, starting school for the very first time.
I attended the Foundation for the Junior Blind (now Wayfinder Family Services), and was enrolled in the SPED (Special Education) program. This was where I met new friends, made friends with friendly counselors, and began to learn many new blindness skills in their School for the Blind setting. And I was asked to participate in a 1980 play, called Toyland Magic, for the Christmas of 1980. But my mom didn't believe I was learning fast! No, not at all! It was not until she received a call in early August of 1981 that confirmed the news: "Lorine, Eric is too smart to stay here."
Having discovered the Foundation's Camp Bloomfield, and all of what the FJB had to offer, I wanted more, and more, and more. That year, I re-entered elementary school, determining to excel, after getting the educational Speak ‘n Spell, Speak ‘n Math, and Speak ‘n Read. I had learned both Grade 1 (uncontracted), and Grade 2 (contracted) Braille that year, and learned to trust people.
In the years that followed, many other opportunities came to me: the chance to be on television, the opportunity to be in a non-denominational choir with H.B. Barnum, Aretha Franklin's conductor and composer, and the chance to meet both Stevie Wonder and Ray Charles, reading both their autobiographies from Braille Institute, an organization that I also cherish to this day.
As I got into my teenage years, I began to have snags, but continued to learn. I gave up music, citing wanting more time to be with my blind cohorts. I gave up wanting to learn piano and drums. But I still wanted to learn.
Then the two biggest events that shaped my schooling came, the culmination (graduation in elementary of people from blind school) from Frances Blend, and the graduation in 1992 from North Torrance High School (Calif.). Both of these brought me a sense of optimism that I needed to pass along to other people with disabilities. In high school, I was asked to speak on a panel, to talk about my blindness, and I loved every minute of it. But at graduation, many people offered me great congratulations.
Then, a crossroads came between me going to college and beginning my career in ACB. First, the experiment going to Wilberforce University was not all that successful, but I was able to make a few lifelong friends, for which I am grateful. Then, in 1996, I met Donna and Mitch Pomerantz from the California Council of the Blind. Another colleague of mine, Keith Johnson, taught me at Frances Blend, so he was able to help me out with ACB insight.
In closing, never say no to learning. Make friends, network with other blind individuals, and join committees in your Council of the Blind. Tell your story on how you have coped with blindness, and encourage others never to give up! Finally, for anyone in our younger generations, never forget to try, try, try. It will help you in the long run.