Through Our Eyes: Independence Personified

“If you want any kind of independence, you must be motivated.” Sara Fitzwater

The ice cream that Sara Fitzwater wasn’t altogether sure she wanted was beginning to melt. It wasn’t that Sara didn’t like ice cream, or that she didn’t appreciate the kind gesture that Alphapointe’s Career Placement Specialist, Martin Callen, had provided; rather, she was filled with mixed emotions – and maybe more than a few butterflies – after having her first interview. Ever.

As a blind woman in her forties, she felt a combination of stress and anxiety, maybe even a near certainty that she would not get the job. Martin knew that and wanted to provide a distraction while also letting her know that, regardless of the outcome, she had done something difficult which was, in and of itself, and accomplishment.

“I want to put all the support I possibly can in place for my clients striving for independence,” Martin says. “And sometimes that support has sprinkles.”

Life Before Alphapointe

Sara was born prematurely, and due to a lack of oxygen, her optic nerve would not develop fully, leaving her completely blind at birth. While Sarah’s parents always encouraged their daughter’s independence, Sara was reticent to admit to herself that she couldn’t see.

“I didn’t embrace it at all. I didn’t want to admit I was blind,” Sara admits. “People would try to teach me to do things on my own, but in a different way, and it would just frustrate me that it had to be different.”

Sara lived with her parents into her forties.

“My parents managed my funds,” she says.  “I couldn’t cook. I could do my own laundry, but that was pretty much it. I was completely dependent upon my family.”

While visiting her sister in Kansas City, Sara had an idea that would end up challenging everything she had believed possible.

“I realized I wanted to be independent,” Sara says. “I told my sister I wanted to live on my own. I wanted to have a job. I wanted to have friends. I wanted to learn to cook. I just wanted to have a normal life.”

Determined to help Sara reach her goal, Sarah’s sister wasted no time in researching facilities that could assist her in gaining her independence. In doing so, she discovered Alphapointe.

Creating a New Normal

Sara would become a client of Alphapointe, learning important skills along the way. She approached every challenge with tenacity and drive.

“I have never felt such a burning desire to be independent,” she says. “To have my own place, my own job, my own life, I would have done anything.”

While receiving training in ADL (Activities of Daily Living), O&M (Orientation and Mobility), and AT (Assistive Technology), Sara was also working closely with Martin Callen, Alphapointe’s Career Placement Specialist.

“Martin was so helpful. Not only did he figure out what I wanted and help me write a resume, he took me to interviews,” Sara says. “Martin’s constant encouragement and belief in me helped me move forward and get my job.”

Sara would indeed be hired at Emler Swim School as a receptionist, as well as secure her own apartment with help from her sister.

“I thank God for my sister,” Sara says. “She has climbed this mountain with me. She has weathered every storm with me through this process. She has encouraged me every step of the way. She is my sister and my best friend.”

Life After Alphapointe

Sara has held her job and been in her apartment for roughly a year now. She has many friends, is a member of a bible study and found a church and is even a part of the National Federation of the Blind.

Sara is also attending online classes at Kansas-State University, as she pursues a degree in Financial Planning. She’s approaching all of it the same way she approached her learning at Alphapointe … with determination.

Giving Back

While Sarah’s time as a client of Alphapointe has come to a  successful conclusion, she is still finding ways to be involved with the organization. In fact, she offers up her apartment and the surrounding areas to our rehab team and clients so they can conduct O&M training there.

“I hope I am giving back even in a small way,” Sara says. “I want to give back to Alphapointe in any way I can. Being at Alphapointe gave me the confidence to have this life.”

As Sara Fitzwater goes about her life, managing her apartment, going to her job, cultivating a community and a social life, she is an embodiment of realized potential, a beacon of hope to others with vision loss of what is possible with the right skills, help and support from friends or family, and a healthy amount of motivation.

She is proof that it is never to late to start living.