Hello, and welcome to another edition of Interviews to Empower where we hope to inspire you by introducing you to everyday people doing everyday things with or without sight. This month’s interviewee is a long time friend who doesn’t know the word “can’t”. Come along and Meet Heather McComas.
Q: So Heather, tell us a little about yourself and how you became blind.
A: Well, I have a real hard time describing who I am. Many people tell me that I am pretty amazing and all of that, but I feel as if I am just an average person trying to live their life as simple and drama free as I possibly can. These days it is not that easy, but I stick to my little corner of the world and keep my nose on my own face. I am someone who would do anything for my friends and family. I will also do my very best to do for those who are less fortunate than myself. I became blind when I was about three-months-old. I was diagnosed with “Retina Blastoma.” Which is cancer of the eyes. I had a little vision in my left eye until I was about twelve-years-old and then went totally blind.
Q: Did you go to public school or the school for the blind?
A: I went to public school for a very short time during my kindergarten year, but my teacher and parents made the decision to send me to the school for the blind.
Q: What types of extra curricular activities were you involved in at WVSB?
A: Does reading count? :-) I did do a lot of that. I was in band, chorus, student counsel, Girl Scouts and on the goal ball team my junior and senior years.
Q: Did you go to college and are you working today?
A: Yes I did go to college. I got my Associates Degree in Information Technology and in 2016 I finally completed my Bachelor’s Degree. It really didn’t end the way I really wanted it to, but I do have a degree. I am hoping to get over my fear of rejection and move on to my Master’s Degree. I am working now; I work at Heritage Farm and Museum in Huntington, WV. I am what you would call a “In House Artisan.” I weave baskets and educate our visitors on the history of baskets and blindness. I sometimes find it hard to tell people that I sit and weave all day. Though, I am very thankful for this opportunity and I love where I am working.
Q: We know you do a lot of volunteer work, can you tell us a little more about that?
A: I volunteer every now and then for the VA here in Huntington. I had the opportunity to teach a couple of our veterans how to read basic braille so that they could read the labels on the buttons of the elevators. I was on the Board for Cabell-Wayne Association of the Blind for ten years; the last four I was President. I help teach basket classes to the consumers of CWAB.
Q: How did you get into weaving baskets and starting your own business?
A: It all started out being a girls night out for my sister, mom and myself. We would go to a basket class that was taught by my sister’s exmother-in-law. I was very nervous and was afraid that I wouldn’t be able to do it, but I took right off; if I remember correctly. I was so happy to find something to do. I was not involved in anything and it was nice to have something to keep my fingers busy. The business part is still to this day a mistery to me! I would make baskets for my professors, notetakers, and advisors at Marshall University, and then people would ask me how much a basket was. My dad gave it its name “Three Blind Mice.” I do not make enough to live on from selling my baskets. I barely make enough to pay for the materials. Since I have started (1999) to today, the price of the materials has more than doubled. Also, I am more than generous when it comes to pricing them. I hate feeling like I am ripping someone off. Would I like to make a supplemental living off of my baskets, yes.
Q: What advice would you give students just graduating who are blind or visually impaired?
A: I would tell them to believe in the words, “I can” rather than the words, “I cannot.” There will be road blocks and there will be those who do not see past the visual impairement, but be strong and be willing to put forth the extra effort it will take to prove you are more than capable to achieve your college degree or to land that job you applied for.
Q: When times get tough, what inspires you to keep on keeping on.
A: Keeping a positive attitude. No, it is not easy at times, but me being blind is not going to change, so why should I sit around feeling sorry for myself?
Heather, thank you so much for allowing us to interview you. You are an inspiration just by being yourself, and your baskets are beautiful.
And, a huge thank you to you, our faithful readres for being with us today. If you would like to see pictures of Heather’s baskets, you can find her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/heatheremccomas?hc_ref=ARRTKrrLIk_EQg-OcZbSjT8__JjSjE4UUiucl-0mZu14WhUE9ZK_3tpcYrGubfQ6qHg
To learn more about the Cabell Wayne Association of the Blind, CWAB, check out their website at www.cabellwayne.org
That’s it for today, but be sure and come back on the 2nd Thursday of April. We don’t know what we’ll be talking about, but we will be here, and we’ll have something to say. :) Until then, drop us a comment below or send us an email at adkinsandwells@gmail.com
Blessings.
I have known and woven baskets with Heather for many years. She is an inspiration to the visually impaired and sighted people that she meets. You only have to be around Heather for a minute tolove her and being around her!
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