Hello, and welcome to another edition of Interviews to Empower! Often, we look to those individuals whose names are well-known for inspiration. However, it is in the everyday living where miracles are born. This months interviewee is a regular guy doing normal things, and yet he is inspiring, because he does not let his disability stand in the way of being a regular, normal guy. Come with me and meet Conrad Bennett, a man who’s motto could be “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.”.
Q: Tell us a little about yourself.
A: Well, I’m 32 years old, I love computers, and I love helping students. Actually, I love to help anybody. I consider myself to be religious, I’ve been married for 12 years, I have a son who is 12 and I am totally blind.
Q: What eye condition do you have, and how long have you had it?
A: I was born premature, and too much oxygen in the incubator caused my redness to not grow or attach. I’ve been blind ever since birth.
Q: What strategies, techniques and/or tools do you use to accommodate for your vision loss?
A: I use a computer with a screen reader, an iPhone with voiceover, my oven is labeled in braille, I use a guide dog and a cane, and I also have a touchscreen washing machine and dryer that is labeled in braille.
Q: Can you tell us about your post high school life, meaning about various jobs or other pursuits? Also, feel free to tell us about any non-work related activities—hobbies, etc.
A: After high school I worked at Blind Industries and Services of Maryland, BISM. Then, I worked from home doing data entry. After that, on the side I would help set up wireless networks for various people and businesses. Then, I began restoring and fixing computers. That is still a side hobby as well. Whenever I need to see the computer screen but can’t use a speech program, like with windows there are times when the speech can not work, I use my iPhone’s camera to read the screen. I really enjoy Apple products and love helping people learn how to use them, whether they are sided or blind. At present, I am a classroom aid at the WV School for the Blind.
Q: Are you affiliated with any organizations, such as Lions Club or a blindness-specific organization? Why or why not?
A: I am a member of the Lions Club. I joined this organization, because I like to see them out doing something to actually help people. They go out in their community and help folks obtain glasses, hearing aids and even help get glasses fixed. They are also active in supporting guide dog schools such as Leader Dogs in Rochester Hills, MI and Pilot Dogs in Columbus, OH, which is where I got my guide dog.
I am also a member of the American Council of the Blind, ACB. Actually, I am the current president of the Potomac Valley chapter of the Mountain State Council of the Blind.
Q: What keeps you going when life gets you down?
A: Well, when life gets too tough, I just remember to stop and say a prayer. That’s what gets me through.
Conrad, thank you for allowing us to interview you. It has been a pleasure.
And, thank you, dear readers for being with us today. Be sure and come back on the second Thursday in February, that is the 8th for more inspiration from your favorite writing team, Adkins and Wells. :) Until then, remember to say a prayer and keep on smiling.
For more information about the schools or organizations mentioned, below are links you can follow.
Blind Industries and Services of Maryland www.bism.org
West Virginia School for the Blind, www.wvsdb2.state.k12.wv.us
Lions Club, www.lionsclubs.org
Mountain State Council of the Blind, www.mscbwv.org
Leader Dogs, www.leaderdog.org
Pilot Dogs, www.pilotdogs.org
Blessings.
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