“L.A.B. has definitely helped me reach goals I don’t even think I would’ve considered being possible.”
Beth never had an adjustment period to vision loss because it’s always been a part of her life due to genetics passed down through her dad’s family. Currently, she has limited vision in one eye.
Her big adjustment came in her early 20s when her mother died.
“It was an eye-opening experience. My father is completely blind and with my mom gone, we have to eat, we have to go buy groceries, we have to clean. How do we do that? My mother took care of everything.”
Beth, who used L.A.B. services when she was younger and whose father works at the Laser, Design, Die Division, sought help with independent living skills.
With L.A.B.’s help, Beth learned to take care of the household tasks and, eventually, decided she wanted to finish college and find a part-time job.
Once again, she turned to L.A.B., this time for scholarship assistance and job skills development. She’s currently employed as a part-time administrative intern at L.A.B. and is a senior at LSU-Shreveport.
Her dream – to teach English to blind students.
“I’ve gone through the program twice with different goals and each time it’s been exactly what I needed. If I hadn’t learned what I’ve learned and had the resources available, my father and I would probably be living with someone else in that caretaker position. I don’t think I would be anywhere near as independent as I am today.
“I wouldn’t trade my experiences with L.A.B. for the world. It’s a huge part of who I am. I feel more confident with what’s to come with every step that I take toward it.”