Ambiguously Blind
I don’t always look blind. And that can be the hardest part.
After meningitis, I lost most of my sight. One eye is completely blind. The other works just enough to make things complicated.
I miss facial expressions. I miss subtle cues. I walk right past people I know and don’t realize it until it’s too late.
Sometimes people think I’m ignoring them.
Sometimes I think I’m doing just fine.
Both can be true at the same time.
I’ve learned to listen more closely.
To ask better questions.
To adapt in ways most people never have to think about.
It’s a strange space to live in.
Not fully seen. Not always understood.
But still moving forward.
A lot of that journey made its way into my book, Destiny Is Debatable.
Host & Author
One of the lucky ones, John miraculously survived meningococcal disease (bacterial meningitis) as a sophomore in college. John’s body endured considerable trauma that was mostly healed with physical therapy. But, neurological dysfunction and blindness are permanent reminders of his battle with meningitis.
To spread awareness John is an active advocate with meningitis organizations and shares his unique survival story and journey on his podcast, Destiny Is Debatable with a mission empower people to be successful regardless of their circumstances.
John motivates with a message full of impact that is universally understood. "The filter through which you view your circumstances is most certainly up to you. Whether you wake up in your own bed tomorrow, in a luxury suite at the Ritz-Carlton, or in a hospital, don’t wait to start building your life into the one you want. Waiting is like being at the DMV: your future seems to be in the hands of the apathetic (doctors with poor prognoses, bosses who don’t value you, and your own nagging self-doubt). Don’t wait. Just do the next right thing. Even if you end up taking two steps forward and one step back, that’s still progress. In Texas, we even call it dancing."
19 is Not the age of Reason
