Chapter 1: The Beginning

Well, it has been a couple days since my first post. I first want to wish all my friends and family that may read my blog, a very special, safe and most Merry Christmas and Happy New Year !
I hope the New Year brings you happiness, joy, hope and most of all, a fresh start to make 2009 one of the best years of your lives..

In this post I am going to touch briefly about my beginnings and why 2008 was one of the most difficult years in recent memory for me.

I was born in Oklahoma City, OK in 1973. My family and I lived in Oklahoma for a few years during my formative years and was primarily raised in St. Louis, MO. I miss St, Louis. I have only been back home twice in the last 7 years. Ask anyone that truly knows me, I am still devoted to my St. Louis sports teams. So much, it sometimes drives my wife nuts. Now after a few moves over the years, we live in Salt Lake City, UT. My parents, however, still live in St. Louis.

The reason I named my blog "My Eyes are Wide Open" is due to the fact that I am blind. I do have some usable sight left, but do not know for how long. I have had visual limitations since birth and they have deteriorated over the years. I currently only have one actual living eye, which is on my left side. That is why to people's dismay, I do have a tendancy to run in to chairs, walls, even people wherever I go including in my workplace. Most people have no clue. They know I have somewhat obvious visual restraints but most likely do not know to what extent.

Therefore, the purpose of my blog is simple: To educate and inform the world that blind people are a part of society and we can do almost anything that a person without any sight impairments can, just with some minor alterations. I like the show, 'Little People, Big World". It is on TLC and showcases a family that lives with dwarfism. In the opening, they say they can do anything, just in a different way. That is my sentiment exactly.

In my daily life, to get wherever I need to go, I use a white cane and sometimes a guide dog. my guide dog's name is Tyson. In my workplace, I am on the compouter for 98% of my day. Therefore, because the computer is difficult to see, I use a screen magnification program and enlarged settings to assist me see things. For printed materials, I rely a great deal on audio and a handheld magnifier. Reading for any extended amount of time is very tedious and sometimes, very painful for me. I suffer from extreme headaches and have and have a severe sensitivity to light.

Now, earlier I mentioned that 2008 was a rough year for me.

My headaches have gotten worse and I am continuing to lose more sight on a daily basis. There are days I don't even want to get out of bed. In addition to all the mess with my eyes, I lost my best friend in the whole world. This past March, we lost my Uncle John to cancer. He was 50 years old. He was diagnosed with cancer in December 2007. Less than three months later, he was gone. There is not a day that goes by that I don't think about him or hear a song that we both loved. it has been very difficult for me to to cope with his loss. He wasn't just my uncle. He was a best friend, a role model, mentor and big brother. So, now I have come to do what I can to live my life to the fullest and not take anything for granted. It may take me another ten years to graduate with my degree, but I will do it. I know John is still by my side and will always be watching over me.

For he walks with the angels !!! We love you Uncle John and miss you !!! We will be together again !