Dreams Can Come True

It was so refreshing to attend the “Called to Write” Christian Writers’ Conference in Pittsburg, Kansas back in 2015. Being around others who shared the same passion was most uplifting. The air was filled with encouragement, learning, and reflection. As a result, I began thinking about my writing journey and the problems I have faced.

During my high school years, many relatives repeatedly told me that I should write a book about my life. They knew I kept a journal and claimed since I was so active in leadership with a visual impairment, my life was interesting. Unsure I agreed, I found myself entertaining the idea of writing a book anyway on occasion. It never went past the idea stage, though.

Knowing I could be going blind meant I needed to focus on an occupation instead of a dream. The only writing I did was research papers until my B.S. in Education degree was earned. Then came writing lesson plans for my Special Ed. class during the days and writing letters to friends at night. My tunnel vision kept closing in and my acuity worsened forcing me to file for disability. Now, survival became the name of the game rather than my dream of writing.

Equipment

Two new pieces of equipment allowed me to read and write once again. A computer program, LP Doss, enlarged my word processing program on my old Tandy 8088. This is when my dream of writing resurfaced. I wrote a story or two before life sidetracked me by meeting my knight in shining armor. My dream of writing disappeared, but my new family wasn’t the main reason. Using a word processor went out the window when Windows came in. Even with an enlarged screen, I was unable to read the icons or follow the mouse.

I then began relying more on a magnification system called a CCTV. It used a camera to enlarge whatever was placed on a tray beneath the computer monitor. It was kind of tricky at first to learn to write without looking at your paper, but at a monitor instead. After a while, though, writing without looking at your hand became second nature. I even decided to attempt writing again by purchasing a writer’s course. Pregnancy interrupted my writer’s course so my dream was put on hold again. Eye strain reduced my ability to read books on my CCTV. Writing checks, reading mail, and making lists was its new purpose.

Once again, I accepted life without reading or writing, spending time taking care of the household and homeschooling using my CCTV kept me occupied. Off and on through the years, we attempted to keep up on technology. After spending time researching, driving long distances to purchase products, and hours learning them, we’d discover our money went down the drain. Discouragement set in. The technology was available, but not affordable for someone on disability.

Serotek

Four years ago, my husband realized I barely was able to use my CCTV so began researching once again. Hesitant and fearful, I allowed Steve to purchase text to speech software through Serotek. Mind you, I hadn’t used a computer for over 15 years. Email was a foreign concept. Could I remember how to type? I quickly learned this affordable screen reader opened new doors. Not only could I browse the web using special keyboard commands, but there existed a community of blind and visually impaired people who became friends coaching me on uses of this equipment and software. Thanks to Serotek, I was able to finish home-schooling my daughter.

With the use of my new technology, I could possibly resurrect my writing dream. It was my husband, though, who thought of it first and found Christian Writer’s Fellowship for me to join and learn. My first meeting was the Called to Write conference four years ago. I thank God for Serotek and C.W.F. Okay, my husband too.

What dreams have you had to put on hold in your life due to some kind of obstacle?

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