The objective of the Augusta
Blind Rehabilitation Center Alumni Association (ABRCAA) is to bring together
veterans from many varied backgrounds, educational levels, and occupations who
have one chief thing in common: Blindness. Through interaction with other people
experiencing the same difficulty, this group can help support each other as they
struggle with their adjustment to blindness.
· Support-Exchange ideas and information that is helpful to our fellow blinded veteran by our Quarterly Newsletter "The Night Owls".
· Friendship-Form friendships that allow our fellow blinded veteran know someone understands, cares and will provide support if they need help.
· Fellowship-We will all get together to fellowship with each other once a year. At our reunion, for three days, there will be a variety of activities, vision fair of new services and/or products singing, dancing and just a whole lot of "ole tyme fun" with friends and family.
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The Unforeseen Man
by Gary Carroll
Day in and day out the grind wears thin. A man who has lost so much within the realms of his world gently lumbers into the cavernous hallways of the Veteran Hospital. His casual demeanor and patient stride take him one-step closer to the edge of an office that he has never seen clearly. Rest assured that hope dwells from within his soul for he changes lives that most of us are blind to. Each patient rests upon a hook like bait teasing fate with nothing to lose. He chews desperation calmly and soothes the most volatile of souls. Oh, there is no swagger but his confidence runs deeper than a child’s imagination. His youthful playfulness refreshes those lucky enough to be around him. His appearance is unnoticeable unless you are one that fears those with less. Animated sounds can often be heard from his tiny office preceded by laughter. Gather around for a tall gulp of tales to fill your thirst. You know the ones that you can hear over and over and they never seem to grow stale.
Is he perfect? No, but his flaws are admirable even from afar. Years of crusading with the belief that he could make a difference have taken their collective tolls but have only served to strengthen this man’s resolve even further. What he lacks in sight he makes up for in kindness and understanding. His senses can feel emotion and his heart serves as a light to those who tread the same misty waters in search of a better way. I don’t know if he ever envisioned touching so many lives throughout time. Regardless, his purpose has been fulfilled through a loss so long ago. A man of his stature is worthy of being called a hero but his reluctance would surely overpower this accolade. He does the little things that many step over rather than fight for. Who needs windows in their office when he is only three steps across the hall? I pay homage to someone I am glad to know. I watch with glee as this caretaker of hope leads a caravan of forgotten soldiers to a world they thought they would never see.
He remains the Unforeseen Man.