Amanda Juetten, a 47-year-old mother of five from Tennessee, graduated magna cum laude from Tennessee Tech University, despite being completely blind. After experiencing significant vision loss due to retinitis pigmentosa, she sought to regain her independence by enrolling in a program at the Colorado Center for the Blind. Juetten’s supportive approach highlighted the importance of community among visually impaired individuals. Her graduation not only represents her academic achievements but also marks a new beginning in her life, showcasing her determination to live fully and independently as a blind parent.
I'm totally blind. So I've got my guide dog by my side. The two guys I was sitting by told me to follow them - we were a team. I'm concentrating on shaking all the hands and getting across the stage. I was thinking, 'This isn't the end. It's really the beginning of what's next.'
I was left totally blind with no skills for blindness. Over the years, I had been taught a lot of skills for using my remaining vision, but not what to do with no vision at all.
I thought, 'I know blind parents make their kids' lunches. I know blind parents go to PTA meetings. I can do this. I just need to be around a bunch of other blind people.'
Blind people are not sitting in their basements waiting for the end. They're out there living their lives, and I wanted to do that, too.
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