My Story: Sandra Martin
May 24, 2010 | 
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Sandra Martin is a 2010 Goodwill Industries International Kenneth Shaw Graduate of the Year
When I lost my eyesight at age 22, it was hard. My baby was only six weeks old. I wasn’t prepared. It was a very difficult time in our lives, but she’s what kept me going — nobody was going to be her mom but me. When I was 38 years old, my husband left. I had no employment and had not worked for 16 years.
Someone came up to my daughter and said to her, “I think you and your mom need to go get an apartment together.” My poor daughter said, “I don’t want to live with my mom for the rest of my life.” I don’t think she realized how that hit me. That’s when I decided to go out and get as much rehabilitation as I could.
When I lost my eyesight, computers weren’t in everybody’s home. I went up to the Florida Division of Blind Services to learn about Job Access with Speech (JAWS). Even though I had computer training, when you’re blind and you walk in somewhere to get a job, they really don’t give you the time of day. I spent five years trying to get a job.
I finally decided to go to vocational rehabilitation. When the Goodwill of Southwest Florida counselor came in and started talking to me, I connected right away with her. Whenever I had any interviews, she was always there for me. When a position came open at the Visually Impaired Persons (VIP) of Southwest Florida, I remember both of us going in there and her just saying, “You can do it, Sandy. They’re getting the prize.”
Sandra Martin engages in outreach efforts with individuals who have visual impairments.
I am now the outreach coordinator for VIP and the outreach coordinator for Lighthouse of Collier in Naples, FL. I coordinate many events to help teach people about the visually impaired and to let them know that the resources are here. In the past two years, I have done over 200 presentations for different groups.
When you make the decision to reach out to all these wonderful organizations, I think you need all the support that you can get. There needs to be more services for the visually impaired. The best thing that I like about my job is when I’m able to participate in making that happen.
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Thanks for your story, Sandra, and for the many things you are doing to advocate for people who are blind.
Sandy is the most upbeat, positive, high-spirited person I’ve ever met in my life. She’s not just one of our clients at Goodwill SWFL, but to everyone who has worked with her, she’s also a great friend. It’s wonderful to see her get this recognition!
good for sandra for achieving more independence and for not giving up on finding a job. I’m sure the people who passed her up for a job are now kicking themselves. She sounds like a person who gives 150% and those who work with her are very lucky.
What caused Sandra Martin to lose her sight at 22 years of age?