Selling Blindness Alternatives

By George Fischer

I was a 54 year old sales associate working at a retail establishment. On the way to work one afternoon, I lost control of my pickup; overcorrected and hit a tree. This resulted in extensive facial lacerations, a punctured lung, a broken rib and damaged optic nerves. Doctors placed me in a drug induced coma to help the healing process. After months of hospitalization and multiple surgeries, I was moved to an independent living facility.

Life there was fine. People took care of me, but I wanted more. I wanted to have a productive life again. In the retail business, a new product must be advertised and tried to become beneficial in our society. Angie a counselor from the Nebraska Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired did the advertising for the Center. As with any product, sometimes you just have to try it for yourself to know if it is right for you. I tried it and liked what I saw.

I saw that the staff have all been through the training and that half of the staff are blind and can run the Center. This impressed me a great deal and was my main inspiration to come. I saw the staff was good at giving more individualized training. I saw that other clients in the program were willing to offer support for me as I learned new skills. All the staff showed me that even though I am blind, I can still do about the same things I used to with alternatives that they teach.

The areas that they taught were Travel, Shop, Home Management, Communications and Braille. During my training, I learned proper cane technique to travel independently. In shop, I learned about the click ruler; which is an alternative measuring device. I can make a darn good cheesy meatloaf. Now I can label my clothes and take Braille notes during seminars. I can even send e-mail to my family and friends using a screen reading program. All this I learned while at the Center.

The product was advertised and tried. The staff is well informed sales associates and "Blindness Alternatives" is their product. A Customer Service Representative in the retail world helps consumers when they have trouble with a product or questions about the service they are being offered. Customer Service is their top priority. The staff can explain the products offered and make the person more willing to use the services thus making their life more productive.

If I were a customer in a retail store, I would be well satisfied with the product and services offered. I want to give my grateful thanks to the staff for all the help and knowledge they have given me so I can become a productive sales associate again. As I leave the Center, I will join Angie and other former clients as they advertise this product.