John Helzer lost most of his vision due to diabetic retinopathy but remained focused on supporting his family. After being laid off during the pandemic, he turned to the state Department of Rehabilitation for training. He joined Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired in San Francisco, which provided him with tools and skills to thrive professionally despite his challenges. Helzer began raising puppies for guide dogs and expressed a strong sense of community belonging through his work with Lighthouse.
John Helzer was diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy back in 2018, resulting in almost complete vision loss in one eye and about 30% vision in the other. His experience was incredibly stressful as he prioritized supporting his family and adapting to his new reality.
Joining Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired in San Francisco transformed Helzer's life. The support he received through training and skills enabled him to successfully reintegrate into the workforce despite his vision loss.
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