Hello, and welcome. We are so glad you could join us today. Our interviewee this month is a good friend who inspires others to be their best, just by being herself. Allow me to introduce to you Stacey Bruton.
Q: What is your eye condition, and are you totally blind?
A: My eye condition is retinopathy of prematurity. I was born two months early and received too much oxygen.
Q: How long have you been blind?
A: I have been blind since shortly after birth. I am a twin. When I was a few months old, my sister was grabbing for objects placed in front of
her. I was not, so my parents discovered I could not see.
Q: Is anyone else in your family blind?
A: No one else is blind in my family.
Q: Did your parents treat you any different because of your blindness?
A: They wanted me to do as much as my other siblings. I think sometimes they were protective. For example, my sister had a pogo ball. It was a ball that had a platform in the middle of the ball. One would stand on it and jump keeping your balance. My mom told me not to get on it. I was very determined and got on the ball when everyone was inside. They may have seen me through the window. I really don't know.
Q: Did you attend a public school or residential one?
A: I attended a public school. My parents moved from Maryland to Pennsylvania so I could attend school with my brother and sisters. In Pennsylvania they started mainstreaming when I was supposed to go to kindergarten. My parents had to go to school every year to talk to the teachers. The teachers did not know what to do with me for my education. My parents worked collaboratively with the teachers to figure out the best way to teach me.
Q: Do you read braille? If so, when did you learn it?
A: I read braille. I began in kindergarten when everyone else learned to read.
Q: When did you begin learning orientation and mobility skills?
A: I began in kindergarten.
Q: What extra curricular activities were you involved in, if any?
A: I was involved in chorus in sixth grade and in eighth and ninth grade.
Q: What was your major in college?
A: My major was early childhood/elementary education. I am certified in visual impairment k-12. I also hold a Masters from Liberty University as a program specialist with an emphasis in reading.
Q: What is your job now?
A: I am a Teacher for the Visually Impaired for Harnett County in North Carolina.
Q: What types of assistive technology did you use in school? Which ones do you use now?
A: I used a braillewriter in school and a little of the slate and stylus. My grandfather bought me a Braille 'N Print. That was a device in which you placed the braillewriter on a box. It took what one brailled and put it into print using a printer. The Lions Club purchased a typewriter for me. When I would write checks, I counted the spaces and lines on the typewriter to write my checks. I used an Opticon for reading novels for recreation in high school. Now i use Jaws for
Windows, a Pacmate, braille display, scanner, OpenBook, Apple computer
with VoiceOver, and an iPhone.
Q: So you are a wife and mom. Can you tell us about that?
A: I have been married for ten years. My daughter is five. I love being a mom. Some things are challenging, but I think that is true of all parents. One challenging part is dispensing liquid medication, especially during the infant years. Another challenge was feeding baby food especially during the first phase where the cereal had to be real liquidy. As children get older, they are able to do more for themselves and can be very helpful.
Q: What do you think is the most challenging about your blindness?
A: Transportation is a challenge. I wish I could drive so I wouldn't have to rely on someone else to take me places. I used to live in Raleigh and had access to taxi service. There is a transportation service in my county, but they aren't always easy to work with.
Q: How has your blindness helped you?
A: My blindness has helped me see that God has a special purpose for me. Sometimes, I'm not sure what that purpose might be. When i was born, I had a ten percent chance of surviving. My sister had a twenty percent chance of surviving. My parents call us their miracle babies.
Q: What advice would you give to someone who is losing their vision?
A: Connect with any resource or service you can find to support you.
Q: Is there a particular verse or quote that has been an encouragement to you over the years?
A: Matthew 11:28-30 "28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in
heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” NIV
Stacey, thank you so much for allowing us to interview you. Your determination is an inspiration. And, thank you to all you faithful readers out there. We would love to hear from you, so drop us a comment. Until next time, take care and keep on keeping on.
Be blessed.
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