When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

  When I was younger, I think I wanted to be what every other kid wanted to be, a baby sitter, a veterinarian, and any other crazy idea I could possibly think of.

Growing up, what was most challenging about having a vision disorder?

  For me,  the most challenging part of growing up with a vision disorder, was figuring out how my vision was different from other kids and that I had to learn a different way. Growing the confidence to accept that I needed extra things to help me succeed was pretty challenging, but eventually I realized it is okay to be different. 

What unique challenges did you have to overcome with your impaired vision that most sighted people might not think about?

  I don’t think they’re unique, but I believe it is the simple day to day things that most sighted people might not think about like reading a menu that is up behind the registers, watching TV, taking notes off the whiteboard, or just trying to find your friend in a large group of people. 

How was your school experience different from classmates who had full sight?

 My school experience compared to someone who was full sighted was probably a little more difficult. I was better taken care of than others with my visual impairment, but as I went through school I had all the support I needed. I always had to sit in the front of the classroom, had enlarged books, and had access to magnifying glasses if I needed them. The things I needed to succeed were what really made my experience different, but I never tried to act any different than any kid my age. 

What are you currently working towards? 

 I am currently working towards a bachelor’s degree in psychology. 

What are your goals for the near future?

 My goals for the near future are to graduate with my bachelor’s in a year and then go to graduate school for a master’s degree in criminal psychology or hopefully get a psychology internship right out of school. 

Do you think science will find a cure in our lifetime?

  I hope there will be a cure in this lifetime, but I believe it may be a way to help prevent it or make the visual impairment less severe. I don’t think there will be a full complete cure for a while.