Episode Transcript
[00:00:00] Speaker A: Welcome to Vision After Sight, which is a podcast designed to introduce people that are on some journey from sight to blindness and create a neighborhood where they can share information in a safe place. I'm your host, Bob McPherson, and today we are joined by an incredible guest, Melody Williams. Melody is a passionate advocate for individuals who are blind, and her perspective on living with blindness is nothing short of inspiring. She firmly believes in the power of self empowerment. As she so wisely puts it, when you become blind, don't sit at home and say, woe is me.
Get in some type of program, talk to someone, get professional help so you can find yourself. Melody's journey is a testament to the strength of the human spirit. And today she'll share her story and insights on how we can all navigate challenges with courage and determination.
[00:01:04] Speaker B: What's your name?
[00:01:06] Speaker C: Melody Williams.
[00:01:07] Speaker B: What would be your eyesight status if it were sighted, partially sighted or blind?
[00:01:14] Speaker C: Partial sighted. I'm legally blind.
[00:01:17] Speaker B: Okay.
[00:01:18] Speaker A: But it's partially sighted?
[00:01:19] Speaker C: Yes.
[00:01:19] Speaker B: Okay. What's your disease that landed?
[00:01:23] Speaker C: Diabetes. I have detached retina.
[00:01:26] Speaker B: Diabetes and detached retina?
[00:01:28] Speaker C: Yes.
[00:01:29] Speaker B: How long have you been like that?
[00:01:32] Speaker C: Since 2009.
[00:01:33] Speaker B: 2009?
[00:01:35] Speaker C: Yes.
[00:01:35] Speaker B: Now, what advice would you give to your six months after you lost your eyesight would you have to give them today? What advice would you give them six.
[00:01:45] Speaker C: Months after I lost my sight? I advise anyone to get into some type of program. Don't sit at home and say, whoa, it's me. Just back off from the world. Get in some type of program, talk to someone, get a counselor. Even if you have to get professional help, do it. And then you'll find yourself and know what you want to do.
[00:02:06] Speaker B: So would you recommend one of the vocational rehabilitation places?
[00:02:11] Speaker C: Absolutely. I mean, first you have to start off with Commission for the Blind, some type of agency like Greater Detroit Disability Network. You have to find one of those agencies to help you to assist you to get in the program. And the program that the rehabilitation center, blind rehab center that I suggest of anyone is going to Kalamazoo because it takes you away from all your troubles at home and then it also learn to survive for yourself.
[00:02:43] Speaker B: Independent.
[00:02:44] Speaker C: Yes.
[00:02:45] Speaker B: And now which of those groups that you've mentioned do you actively participated?
[00:02:51] Speaker C: I actually participated in Greater Detroit Commission for the Blind as well. Okay.
[00:02:57] Speaker B: Now you mentioned a support group. Which support groups? And full disclosure, Melanie is part of the leadership for Inner Vision. But which other groups do you participate with? Any, Melody?
[00:03:14] Speaker C: I don't participate with any, but I do know about them all and I know the leadership of every support group. Therefore, there's nfp, but that's really not a support group agency. Then there's Helping Hands. Blind Helping Blind.
[00:03:34] Speaker B: Blind Helping Blind.
[00:03:35] Speaker C: And then there's also Open arms.
[00:03:38] Speaker B: Open arms. Okay. Now you're aggressively encouraging the blind people to have a life outside of their blind world, to interface with sighted things. As an example, we're at a birthday luncheon celebration of today at a popular Japanese restaurant. And I'm told, well, I know that you encourage that once a month where the blind people and their allies are invited to come out and celebrate the members of Intervision that have a birthday in that amount.
Now, what led you to create something like that?
[00:04:32] Speaker C: Because, therefore, I was just at home sitting. So I go out with my family. That's fine. But definitely, you want to interact with other blind clients, candidates, person. So therefore, they know there's life out here. So you can go out and have fun with somebody that's just like you. And then we can show other people that don't ever see a blind person see that, wow, they're having a good time and they blind for your life.
[00:05:04] Speaker B: What would that be?
[00:05:05] Speaker C: No matter what my situation is, I'm gonna take it and go with it and live my life. Because therefore, whatever God give you, that's what you're supposed to be doing to be a supervisor trainee for Comcast.
So all new hires came into the company. I trained every last one of them. Young lady named Deborah Lee, that she helped everybody in the community have an outreach if they need help with a DT Bill.
Yes.
[00:05:40] Speaker B: Utility bill.
[00:05:41] Speaker C: Yes.
[00:05:41] Speaker B: Furniture.
[00:05:42] Speaker C: Yes.
[00:05:43] Speaker B: Furniture, Health insurance.
[00:05:44] Speaker C: Yes.
[00:05:45] Speaker B: Those kind of things.
[00:05:46] Speaker C: Yes.
[00:05:46] Speaker B: We do plan to interview Ms. Lee because Ms. Lee and her organization have been very prominent in the Detroit marketplace. Now, what is the name of her organization?
[00:06:00] Speaker C: Victor in the Family Ministry.
[00:06:02] Speaker B: This has been a wonderful interview.
Wherever you're at, that's where you're supposed to be. So whatever you did, guess what? That's how it's supposed to be.
[00:06:12] Speaker A: Thank you for joining Vision After Sight the Aftermath with me, your host, Bob McPherson. I'm truly grateful for your company today. I. I hope our conversations provided you with insight, inspiration, and a deeper understanding of life beyond sight. Remember, strength is a journey, and sharing our stories helps build compassion and meaningful connections. As I sign off, I encourage you to keep seeing the world in your own unique way. Don't forget to subscribe, comment, and share. I'll be back soon with more stories. Take care. Until next time.
