News
This section has links to inspiring news stories. Some of the links may go to news web site pages that are not screen reader friendly.
June 2011
The Power of Words - a video on YouTube. "It's a beautiful day and I can't see it".May 2011
CINCINNATI -- When Amy McDonaugh crossed the finish line to win the Flying Pig Marathon, no one knew exactly what odds she was up against.McDonaugh, 34, of Irmo, S.C., pulled away from the pack a few miles into the race with her nontraditional stride. She did so, despite being legally blind.
McDonaugh told WLWT that she is totally blind in her right eye and almost completely blind in her left eye. How did she do it?
"I watch the people right directly in front of me," she said.
McDonaugh said the start of the race was challenging because she was bumping into people all around her. She said she stuck by the pacer because he had balloons and eventually was able to pull away from the rest of the women.
Once she pulled away from the pack, she relied on the lights of the pace car to guide her.
"It's God's grace. I'm just having fun the whole time. I really was. I never felt like I want to quit, I'm in pain. It was just fun," she said.
If being legally blind wasn't enough of a challenge, McDonaugh said she had jaw surgery just a month ago.
McDonaugh won the Flying Pig in her first try with an unofficial time of 2:58:15. She had run three previous marathons, but this was her first finish in under three hours.
Read more: http://www.wlwt.com/sports/27735644/detail.html#ixzz1LDI1cNc2
January 2011
Diane Rose is a blind quilter - video report by the Texas Reporter
November 2010
A man who is legally blind builds wooden toy boxes for children during the holidays.
Click here to watch the video - on the news page you will have to also click on the video player.
September 2010
America's First Blind Officer
Captain Smiley was blinded in Iraq. Today he is America's first active duty Army Officer.
Click here to watch the video - on the news page you will have to also click on the video player.
October 2009
Matching Grant Thank You!
In 2009, the Gibney Family Foundation awarded the Lilac Service for the Blind
an $11,000 matching grant to update our entire computer systems to enhance our
ability to teach blind and visually impaired clients how to use computers,
screen reading software and other typical computer programs. Thank you to all
that contributed to match this generous grant!
Spokesman-Review article: Fundraiser
for PCs needs boost: Nonprofit group for the blind hopes to match a donation
by Oct. 31"
