I met Sami Stoner last year on Facebook and we became friends there as we both are visually impaired.
I asked her if she wanted to be on my LVB Show to help raise awareness about stargardt’s Disease and she said yes.
While interviewing her I noticed she had a very lively spirit and a great attitude about life and time ahs proved that to be true.
Here is the link to the first interview I did with her months ago:
http://lowvisionbureau.com/blog/lvbpodcast/sami-stoner-interview/
Well two weeks ago I learned that she became the first person to run cross country with a guide dog in the State of Ohio and is all over the news now…
Made me very happy because I knew she would do great things in her life and she is doing it!
So I reached out to her and she was kind enough to give me a new interview to talk about her accomplishment and her gudie dog and how Chloe, her dog has changed her life for the better.
I feel very excited to see so many people in the Media are paying attention to her and her guide dog milestone, its wonderful because the spotlight is on visual impairment issues in Radio, Newspapers, TV and Online of course helping raise awareness about our issues and our abilities also.
I asked her what she
thought about this Media reaction and she said she thought was not a big deal what she has done but I said that because she is the FIRST to achieve this in her whole State it ishuge for the Media and that is a blessing to help get the word out about our low vision community and about how we fight back and win against our visual impairment and that’s what Sami has done and is an inspiration to everyone to keep working hard and keep believing in yourself and never give up on your hopes and dreams just because you cannot see so well, the reality is we all CAN achieve anything we put our mind into.
Here is the link to listen to this great interview:
http://lowvisionbureau.podomatic.com/entry/2012-01-22T06_59_39-08_00
Alvaro.
Founder.
Low Vision Bureau
My 12-year-old daughter, Mia has Stargardt’s disease and was just diagnosed in July of 2011. Listening to your interviews with Sami has been very inspirational for me and I will share it with Mia when she gets home from school. Mia is going to try running as well and I would be very interested in how Sami found her guide dog. If at all possible could you help me get in touch with Sami or have her “friend” me on Facebook so Mia could start identifying with someone like her? I appreciate any help you would be willing to give. Thank you so much for what you do!!
jennifer thank you so much for your kind words, for me is a pleasure to do what i do and i will give Sami your email so you two can get in touch and connect your daughter with Sami.
Have a wonderful night and give my best to your daughter!
Regards.
Alvaro.
Founder
Low Vision Bureau
http://lowvisionbureau.podomatic.com