Reverend from Fouke Battles Vision Impairment Is Nominated for Award

Rev. Randall L. Piker of Fouke has been nominated as a candidate for the Annual Consumer of the Year Award to be presented by Arkansas Department of Human Services Division of Services for the Blind (DSB). The overall winner will be named at the end of the year.

Rev. Piker is the pastor of the First Assembly of God Church in Fouke. He was nominated by his Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Dawna Fultz, because he completed his rehabilitation plan and returned to work despite recurring vision problems.

The pastor said his visual acuity tests showed an unusual imbalance between the sight in his eyes, and he had difficulty with driving and reading. He said after he was diagnosed with cataracts, DSB provided secondary cataract surgery in order for him to continue his employment as pastor of the community church. This is the second time he had turned to DSB for services; he previously had successful surgery on bilateral cataracts. His wife, ?, said DSB “was a blessing” and they “would not have known what to do without assistance.” She said they were both “very grateful”.  

Rev. Piker is more than a number to DSB; he’s a success and an inspiration. DSB is privileged to recognize Rev. Piker for a job well done and trusts that success will continue to follow this deserving individual, who has demonstrated that with determination, blindness is not a barrier to competitive employment. Hundreds of Arkansans with a disability return to work each year after receiving vocational rehabilitation services.

DSB provides vocational rehabilitation services to individuals who are blind or severely visually impaired and whose goal is successful employment. DSB also serves youth and older blind individuals. People wanting information about DSB’s programs and services can call 1-800-960-9270 or 501-682-5463 or visit the DSB website at http://www.arkansas.gov/dhs/dsb/NEWDSB/index.htm.