Blake Lindsay is a speaker, author of Blind For A Purpose and the Manager of Outreach at Envision Dallas. He stops by to share his story and talk technology and White Cane Day.
Episode Transcript:
John:
Hey, Blake. Thanks for joining us on the podcast.
Blake Lindsay:
Hey John, it's a pleasure to be on your podcast.
Ambiguously Blind. I love it,
John:
That's right, because I am ambiguously blind. It's really
hard for me to describe my vision to other people oftentimes. So I just call
myself ambiguously blind.
Blake Lindsay:
Well, I appreciate you asking me to be on. It's been great
to get to know you more and you know, I got to meet you even more last year,
white cane day. We'll talk about, but it's a, you're, you're a great dude and
I'm really glad to know you.
John:
Hey, thanks, Blake. I think the same of you as well. I
like to start these conversations by kind of setting the table with what your
visual acuity is or your vision, and as much detail as you can give us to kind
of help us along in this conversation.
Blake Lindsay:
Well, I'm totally blind and I've been so since I was nine
months old, infancy, you know, Blake, Lindsay blind since infancy, I always
like to say, but I had cancer. I had Retinoblastoma that mom and dad had to put
up with, obviously, because they were in a rush to save my life. And it was
unique to them. They had never, ever experienced blindness before. They
actually knew somebody who was blind just a little bit, but you know, they had
no clue that one of their own kiddos was going to be blind. My 15 month old
brother had all five of his senses. In fact, Brad's even got common sense
today. I'm pretty proud of he's come a long way, but I always pick on my older
brother, all five senses. And then I had all, all five of my senses as well for
the first nine months of my life. And I could see well but my eyes started
looking discolored and very unhealthy. And so mom and dad began taking me to
the family doctor, a basic eye doctor, and they weren't getting clear answers
and these people were admitting, so they said. They would just tell mom and
dad, you need to further investigate because, this is just not our jurisdiction
at all. So they finally got me to the IU Med Center in Indianapolis, Riley
Hospital. And these guys were experts and they were able to detect that I had
cancer in my eyes, and it was very important to get with it and remove that as
soon as possible and to take my readiness, which was gonna you know, totally
delete my sight, so to speak, but it certainly was going to save my life if
they could get to it in time. And obviously they did. I'm pretty happy about
that!
John:
What a decision to make for a nine month old. Wow!
Blake Lindsay:
Yes, they were 25 and 26 years old when I was born. And so
they were young parents, college educated, they were school teachers and
already in education. And you know, it really was I'm sure that it was a hard
decision, a easy decision once they realized it was going to be life saving, but
it was still a shock-a-roo to them. They did a lot of praying. I know that
during the surgeries that they really prayed that, that I would get out there
and make a difference in people's life. And so they really dedicated my life to
the Lord immediately. And wanted me to do some good things and not sit on the
sidelines and be a productive fulfilled person, you know, a contributor like
you are, and that's, that's how we need to be. And that's how I've always been.
Mom and dad just did not let me sit around and do nothing. And they always knew
that if I had an obstacle, they tried to help me with solutions, wanted me to
create my own solutions. But they were on me in a really, really good way. And
I look back at that and smile because they were kind of hard on me, but not too
hard. They certainly were, were gentle. But you know, when it came to just
being lazy, they didn't allow it in our family. And I love that about them
today because it's really helped me to, to build careers and to be able to want
to be a contributor and do as much as I possibly can.
John:
Yeah, well, that upbringing has certainly served you well,
Blake Lindsay:
It did, it made all the difference in, you know, positive
parenting is really something, that's why I wrote the book Blind For A Purpose
because I wanted parents to realize that that kiddos need to push and they need
to be believed in and they need to not let their kiddos make excuses unless
they're legitimate obstacles. And you know, the many obstacles can be overcome
if you just work on the solutions and think them through and talk to other
people who've gone through it, you know, try to try to locate those who have
gone through what you're trying to get through. So, you know, mom and dad were
just really pushy like that. And so my book was basically to educate and to
really encourage parents that they need to believe in their kids, no matter
what their so-called disability or difference, as I like to call it differences
really. I don't believe in disabilities for the most part, unless somebody
loses or limbs later in life, you know, they have to readjust. And so there's,
there's different things. that can be become a temporary disability, certainly
as you're going through it as you're going through the transition and the
transformation of the whole thing.
John:
Tell me the name of the book, again.
Blake Lindsay:
It's called Blind For A Purpose, Turning Life-challengesInto Purpose In Life.
John:
Is that a book that the casual person can pick up
somewhere?
Blake Lindsay:
Yeah. It's, it's on Amazon and then I've got plenty, you
know, and I usually I discounted it when I can just bring it to somebody. I
take the price from $15 to $10, because I'm not really eager to make money from
it. I just want it to help people. So I try to select you know, when I give it
away, I tried to select those that I know it's really going to bless him and
make a difference in their life. And what they're getting ready to go through
perhaps is got some similarities or a little bit of parallel, you know, just even
a little bit, they can grab it, be encouraged and know that they need to be
inspirational to their kids and push them as opposed to hold them back as
opposed to let them do nothing. And then they'll, there'll be sorry if they do
that later in life. I know I used to meet people. I couldn't believe it. I, you
know, they would graduate from high school and didn't even know how to boil an
egg. And mom had me doing that when I was eight, nine years old. She taught me
how to boil eggs for 12 minutes and that, you know how to be careful around
heat. I wasn't baking things in the oven, but I was helping her prepare meals,
doing dishes, you know, and trying to, and I didn't become a gourmet or
anything like that, but just good little basic cooking skills he already which
was creative in how teach me. And then I took a little bit of Home Ec in summer
school. We used to have kind of a recreational summer school and it was very
much recreation, but Home Ec was one of those benefits and I got to make potato
chips and different things. And I'm glad I didn't feast my whole diet on life,
but they sure were good at the time. And they would tell you so good and
realizing that I had made them, but you know, parents just really need to push
their children best they can. And you can't over expect, you gotta be
reasonable and an understanding of, of some of the the obstacles that you have
to you know, to learn how to get over. But we all have hurdles to hop over. And
if we, if we try to help each other do that and, and try to be relatable, it's
I never consider it a complaint when somebody tells me about something that
they're going through, that's hard for, you know, just giving them a hard time
because I can encourage them. But it also makes me realize that certainly I'm
not the only one that has a bad day here and there as we all do And I think we
can all really help each other by sometimes you stopping down and tell the
things that are not going as well in our life is we would like them to be, and
we can pray for each other that way, but we can obviously encourage each other
just through conversation. And Hey, I've kind of been there with that, John,
that you know, one time I, you know, and just kinda, and sometimes my story may
not quite relate with yours, but, you know, I always try to be I like to say a
little parallel, you know, with, with relating with what you might be going
through that I might be able to give you a little bit of help and a dumpster.
You can do the same for me.
John:
Absolutely. It sounds like a great book. And maybe, I
don't know, there's a listener out there that could use an autographed copy of
Blake's book. So we'll see if we can't put something together like that too.
Blake Lindsay:
If you know, any parents who are going through anything
like, you know, having kids that, that have a unique talents, it doesn't have
to be blindness. It could be whatever. But I think the, you know, the topic is
the same. Be overcomers believe in your kids, even if they have some
differences you know, try to find ways to get over them and then learn how to
do that. And parents are good at that. If they want to be no doubt about it,
John:
When somebody finds out that you're blind in this case
totally blind. What are the most common misconceptions that you usually hear?
Blake Lindsay:
Well, I think that they think that we can barely do
anything because they don't know any better. And I wouldn't either, if I didn't
know a person who was blind or if I wasn't blind myself, but if they haven't
experienced really being around a person who's blind in a Workday, or just
kinda even here in my home, you know, getting around and doing things, helping
my wife clean up the kitchen, whatever I might do to support her, I like to do
the laundry cause I did it when I was a bachelor. So I, I like to do it today.
I like to clean the commodes and believe it or not, but I keep up with them
every week. So they're never really all that dirty. But bottom line is most
people that haven't been around, a person who's blind or visually impaired has
no clue what we can do for obvious reasons. And so when we enlighten them at
first, they can almost defend you. You have to be careful to not them, but
they're like really, you know, acting like it's just a no way, you know, but
really they're just trying to absorb it. And I, I had to really tune into that
because until I was in high school, I really just thought, how dare you think I
couldn't do that? You know, for a single second, come on, you know, cause I
would never exaggerate or inflate the truth on it. But bottom line is they,
they imagine worst case scenario. A lot of times people think if I lost my
sight, that would be one of the worst things that could possibly happen to me.
And so they're clueless about that. And so they really think we can do
practically nothing except eat. You know, we're all good at that. And it's
basically a, in your case, when you barbecue for people, you know, people want
to eat, but that's something that we all have in common. But once, once I get
to talk and have a good chat or somebody who's curious, it opens up their
curiosity even more. And before I know it, they're realizing what I can do and
they're encouraged by it. And if they ever have an opportunity to hire somebody
who's blind, there'll be all over it. If it's a good fit. So I'm not offended
by that. And I wouldn't know either, you know? And so I used to think, come on
you big dummy, you know, you, I mean, surely you think I can do something, but,
but how would they know? You know, and it's the funniest thing I worked at one
106.1 KISS FM in Dallas as a DJ. But remarkably people ask me what I did there.
It's like, you know, when you think about it, well, what could I have done
there? And so I always say, well, I was a window washer. You know, I was one of
the best janitors they ever had and they get to thinking about that and they
thought, Oh, I just asked them. And so I don't say that anymore because that
can be almost me being condescending a little bit. So I, but that's what I used
to say when I, when I first got over there and then they would tune me in and
you know, remarkably they'd be impressed by that, but I would always tease him.
I'd say, well, what's a blind guy supposed to do, you know, radio is a good
option. You know,
John:
It is, and you've got a tremendous voice for radio, I
might add. And I do know KISS FM in Dallas and you were on air for several
years.
Blake Lindsay:
I was on the air for seven years, 1994 through 2001 and
got to work with Kidd Kraddick. And he was a very much a practical joker. He
really, he felt comfortable around me as a person who's blind from the get, go.
From the start. we just really got to know each other. And his birthday was one
day after mine. So we'd always wish he took her happy birthday each year, but
Kidd was one of these guys that I get a kick out of him. One time we were
eating at a station lunch and we'd have a monthly luncheon on Wednesdays. And
he stuck my fork into something on his plate that I did not have on my plate
when I had my hands down. And I was just, you know, wiping my face or whatever.
So I picked up my fork and he said, what'd you think of that bite? You know,
I'm sure I, I had an interesting face because I knew that I didn't have that on
my plate, but that was a kind of, that's the kind of fun I really enjoy. And
you know, because he, and he chuckled and got a kick out of that. And I thought
that was really cool. That's one of my favorite memories as a Kidd.
John:
Over the years. So it's been quite some time or all of
your life, I guess rather opportunities for mobility. You've probably changed
around quite a bit. Cane travel, dog assisted travel. What is your or some
other sort of device? What, have you used and what have you found the most
effective?
Blake Lindsay:
Well, I never got to work with a dog. I was around dogs
and I love dogs and I was always experiencing what they were doing for others.
And I had a lot of friends that use seeing eye dogs, dog guides, and, you know,
all kinds of, they call them dog guides now, but they seeing eye to eye leader,
dog to all the, all the various ones. And I was always impressed by that, but I
started using a cane when I just right before I was 11 years old guy by the
name of Pat, I never will forget him. You know, taught me how to be, how to get
my freedom and the biggest thrill that I ever got. I lived in a small town at
that time, which is really grown. It's 20 miles North of Indianapolis, Indiana.
It's called Westfield and it's just 20 miles North, West of downtown. And this
town I grew up in had nice post office and bakery in a bank, in a, you know,
stores and in different things in a town of 3,200 people. And so he was able to
come one summer and show me how to get around my hometown. And I never will
forget the freedom. Cause I used to get bored out of my gord at home. Like I
would just not have as much to do as my, my active brother in sports. And I
loved being around my parents, but I mean, I just always was, was kind of
restless. But as soon as I got ahold of my cane and learned how to use it and
how to navigate all over that town thanks to, you know, Pat's, good guidance.
I, I was really enjoying life to the fullest. I really got out there. And so
many people were impressed with that and I could hear it in their voices when
they would see me getting around, especially at the beginning when they weren't
used to seeing blind Blake is around, you know, and they were now, wow, Hey,
you're getting around. Good. You know, and they were very inspired by that. I
showed up at a bakery one day, the Jenny Marie Bakery. They had some of the
best donuts in town and a lady by the name of Ruby Whitmore. I remember she was
about 60 years old and I was 15 and she just took time to really love on me.
And then just tell me how much I just inspired her to know when to see me get
around solo crossing stoplights. And she would, she would watch me at first in
fear, but then that fear turned into wow, wow factor. And so she would treat me
to some donuts and she kind of spoiled me a little bit, but we got to be good
friends. And she was kind of a young grandmother type lady, but it went on and
on like that with mobility that was some of the best freedom and I get really
good at it. And then I got married, to be honest with you, John, I've kind of
lost a lot of that. I mean, I still know how to use cane. I have good
technique, but I'm just not utilizing my, my own personal freedom. Like I was,
cause I just grabbed her arm and off we go. But when it, when it really
mattered, when I really needed to get around solo, I could, you know, being
totally blind because of the people that trained us. And that's why I get so
excited about white cane day every year. And we'll talk about that later, but I
really admire orientation and mobility. Cause you got to put your trust in
these people who know how to teach here. And it's a trust factor and they've
gone through a lot of training to make sure that they can do it right. And then
before long your cross, some big four way stoplights, Josey/Beltline, where I
used to live near a big intersection, Josey/Kelly, you know, all those
Carrollton stuff and a big traffic lots of traffic, but I was confident because
I knew what to listen for and when to go and when not to go. And so a cane
travel's always been easiest for me. I do, you know, just because that's the
only thing that I know my ears are not as good as they used to be. I'm in my
mid fifties now and I do a lot of flying and unfortunately that flying around
the year pressure, the cabin pricer has, has kind of shocked my ears a few
times. Not that often, but so my ears are not quite as bright as they were at
one time, but I haven't lost my radar, you know, diminished, but I used to be
able to see with my ears. And you've, you've heard about that before with the
echo perception that we have, that we all have kind of like bats in our ears
guide us. And so I really had a, just a very good ears and accurate. And you
know, I, I still can turn it a crooked hallway and know when to turn without
touching the wall just by the sounds. But so I, I still try to use my ears a
lot to make sure that they don't diminish on me all the away.
John:
What about glasses? Do you wear shades or just regular
glasses for protection?
Blake Lindsay:
Sometimes for the fun of it? I wear black shades, your
dark shades and people wear, you know, the Stevie Wonder the people that were
dark shades, they, they stereotype us. And so sometimes I just do that to get a
kick out of it gives mine are, these guard glasses, which are actually a
blazing red hot they're, they're really noticeable. And so sometimes you know,
on Halloween kind of gag costumes, all dressed up as the blind biker and, you
know, put on the leather jacket and the, in the dark glasses that are blazing
hot. And so but I don't need them. And it's most of the people that have worn
them in the past have eyes that, that need a little help, that don't look real
good, that don't look healthy. And that's why some people get prosthetics and,
you know, if they're totally blind, but that was the main reason for many years
is people's eyes really were, were not attractive. And so they would just, or
they'd get too much light there. They're too sensitive to light, you know,
whatever, whatever condition they had. If, if they saw light, it just looked
really, really bright and uncomfortable, which was another reason people would
wear dark shades.
John:
Yeah, for me, the shades are important. I have challenges
in going from high to low light or from low to highlight. So the sunglasses
help me balance that out for the adjustment necessary for that transition
period. And also I wear them for protection too, because when I'm, when I am
walking around it's not unusual for a tree branch or some other item to be at
my eye level. I may not see it. And I'm just, so it doesn't get me too bad in
the face, you know?
Blake Lindsay:
Yes. Well, I'm glad you wear them. If, if they're, they're
doing you some good with me, it's more of a, more of a joke, but I know that
people do have reasons to wear them different, different reasons.
John:
What about any kind of medical opportunities or any
research done for your specific retina? I guess, situation?
Blake Lindsay:
I can assume by what's happened the past 20 years, the
next 20 are even going to be greater with a fascinating things that come out. I
don't have any retinas. And so it's going to have to be kind of a synthetic you
know, camera version of sight that would probably be computerized and, and
would, would you know, be clearer and clearer. I'm sure as time progresses.
I've been blind all my life and I never have wanted my sight back in my adult
life after I established my careers. When I was a kid though, I did want my
sight back. Cause I was so curious, but I've gotten to where I really, when I
meet people, I informed them how exciting it is for me when they explained what
things look like. And so I never really feel like I'm missing out and I can
kind of get a visual of what things look like based on what people tell me. And
so I always encourage people to do that because it makes them feel good that
they're, they can be my eyes for me. My wife has gotten very good at it and she
had a knack for it. Anyway, even from the start, didn't have to coach her. When
we see movies together, she can give me a five second nutshell of anything that
she knows I would have had to miss, you know, based on the visual. So I don't
really I don't miss not being able to see since I can't relate to it, but yet I
can relate with what people are seeing by what they're telling me. I really at
least get a mental visual that may not quite be accurate, but I'm, you know,
putting my imagination with with, with what they're stating. And, and it's a
pretty good combo. I really, I feel like I can see a lot, I feel like I'm not
really missing out most of the time. And I think when I was a kid, I thought I
was, but then the, you know, the older I got, the more I realized, Hey, people
can tell me what things look like. And I can imagine, you know, colors and, and
just different things. What a beautiful sunny day, it looks like clear blue
sky. You know, you get a lot of definition from people. And, and so I don't
intend on getting my sight back, but I won't be at all surprised if that
opportunity is there and then pretty Tepe in the next 20 years. And I think
it'll actually happen sooner than that. But with, with any technology that
great, you know, it's going to be expensive or somebody is going to give you a
gimme and they want you to be a Guinea pig you know, and, and not charge you,
but yet you you're going through whatever. And so I don't want to be that guy
either. Really, if I was younger, I probably would, if I was 20 years old,
maybe, you know, I'm not against it. I think that that progress like that is
great. And they, they should, they should keep doing it because there's enough people
that lose their sight later in life that miss having it and could use it back
again. It would re you know, it, it would help them to get their sight back.
John:
There's a lot of things happening in the technology space
with that type of stuff. And I want to talk to you about, about technology. For
me, the iPhone was really a game changer as far as accessibility and just, I
don't know, all around something that just, I don't know, it changed, it
changed a lot for me, and I've heard other people say that with other
disabilities as well, but vision in particular, to me, it was huge. Are you an
iPhone user?
Blake Lindsay:
Very much so, and I never will forget the very first week
that I got my iPhone about eight years ago, had a situation where somebody had
already taught me how to use walking directions and driving directions. And I
had had the crash course. And the only time that I hated my iPhone was maybe
the first day or two, because by the third day, I started to really catch on to
Steve jobs, accessibility. And he, you know, he was one of these guys that
wanted us to be able to use the iPhone as well as a person with full sight. So
by the third, fourth day, I was getting better at it and I was already
delighted. I had it. But then I had a situation where I had a cab driver that
didn't know English, where the, who, I don't know where he was from, but it
wasn't Spanish either. I couldn't, we couldn't keep up with each other
communication wise. So as he approached my job, I knew that he was going to have
to turn around to let me off on the right side, you know, to do what's, what's
a protocol for, for dark paratransit. And so I simply told him because I knew
that then they would have to turn back around, you know, once they turned
around for me to get me out on the right side, they'd have to turn back around
to leave. So I said, driver, you sure don't have to turn around for me. I can
just get out. You know, I can get out when, when you arrive. Well, he thought
that I wanted to get out then and there and maybe get some exercise. He knew I
wasn't mad at him. You know, I want to get out, you know, it wasn't like that,
but he thought, well, we're pretty close to work. Maybe Blake wants to walk,
get some exercise. So he lets me off. And before I knew where I wasn't you
know, I he was driving off and it turned out I was three, about three blocks
from where I needed to be. So that was my first experience with the iPhone,
which made me even more thrilled to have it. I turned it on walking directions
and gotten complete assistance. And I called my buddy out and let him know that
what had happened. So he could kind of be on the listen for me, he's totally
blind as well. And he was the one that taught me the iPhone. And so anyway, I
got to work and you know, I walked at three blocks and I was close. It wasn't
three miles, thank goodness. It was three blocks. And but that was just one
experience of many that it made me so thrilled that I've got an iPhone. And I
like the bill reader. You know, I went ahead and bought the $10 and the nine 99
app right away to read my bills. And my wife had originally spent over $300 on
me to have a really nice bill reader technology, because she knew how much that
would benefit me to know a one from a five to a 10 20, you know, then you can
fool them after you read them, obviously you're you fold them a certain way and
you know what you got. But I used to get ripped off a lot when I was younger
because I, I was careless and didn't know what I had. And so I would assume I
remember I asked the cab driver one time. I said is this a one or a 20, well,
what a dumb question? You know what, you're, you're setting yourself up for
failure. Is this a one or a 20? Well, it's a one, it's a one, you know, it's
like, so it turned out to be a 20 because I knew what I was supposed to have.
And then I got back home and realized that I gave the due to 20 cause I had
just been by the bank, but I hadn't separated my twenties from my ones. So
shame on me, shame on them, of course, but shame on me for not being organized
and asking that way I should have said this is a 20. Right. You know, it should
have been my question. And then if it was a one, he'd say, no, man, it's a one
and I would have believed him. But, but I asked the question the stupid way. So
yeah, you live and learn. And then, so you know, the I bill was, was something
that came out for, for cheap. And then the iPhone actually had the app. So
technology is really helped out people like you and me, no doubt about it. But
that, that was the iPhone. I, I tend to agree with you when people, when people
ask me what my favorite piece of technology has been over the last 20 years,
iPhone is immediate first place because I can text, I use Siri more than I
should. I'm not very fast typing on a, on a small keyboard. So I do use Siri
quite a bit, but I make sure that I listened to the message playback. And it's
usually accurate enough that I hit sand it's 99% there. So, you know, sometimes
there's a blender here and there, but I just, I love the iPhone, reading my
email you know, texting people being able to know where I'm at all the time,
what the weather is stock market, whatever new. Yup.
John:
Okay, other than the, iPhone is the easy answer here for
your best piece of technology. You've at this a lot longer than me. So other
than the iPhone what is your favorite piece of technology you've had?
Blake Lindsay:
Well, if I go back to 1994, I got hired at Bank of
America, former Nations Bank. And I had already heard about the Power Braille,
which has an 80 cell braille display. And so it reads an entire line of
braille. It's refreshable braille. It doesn't use any paper and it doesn't make
any noise unless your ears are really, really close to it. You can kind of hear
it go, you know when it's refreshing it almost a, a very quiet grasshopper
sound, not, not nearly as loud as a grasshopper, but as the, as the pins come
up and inform the dots you know, they make just a teeny tiny bit of sound, but
they're, it's an incredible technology that, and job access with speech
combined, you can do all kinds of customer service jobs. You can read people's
accounts, you know, bank accounts and you memorize what line everything is on
on the page. And so you're able to arrow up and down extremely fast and you
know exactly how many times to count. I get very good at it. And so my
efficiency keeping up with a sighted CSR, we just call customer service rep. I
was able to easily keep up with that 2.27 handle time. There was always a
handle time and you were supposed to be able to give them a lot of information,
but they really wanted you to be off, off the phone quickly in about two and a
half minutes so that you could roll onto the next one and then take 160 to 180
calls a day, help out a bunch of people, but give them good efficient answers,
and then try to make sure that you covered your needs. And so I got really good
with the power wheel combined with job access with speech. And I also use that
combination at Dallas Area Rapid Transit. When I worked at Dart in customer
service, I didn't work on the Paratransit side actually. Well I did for a
little while. I did some public relations for them. And I was in the
certification department for a while, but I found my best fit was actually
going to that 979-1111 call center is the telephone number (214) 979-1111. But
I was able to help people a route on light rail and see the whole map. You
know, I got really good with this braille display and I was properly trained by
this guy by the name of Yarrow Sutton. Yarrow Sutton was my, my trainer. And
you never forget who, who trains you in and makes it happen for you, but Yarrow
was patient. And he was really excited about technology. He had learned quite a
bit about it. I showed him how it works, he paid attention. And so he was able
to really help me to navigate quite a bit with this, this thing called trapeze.
That was the, the platform that Dart was using at the time. And the people in
Canada who created trap, you said no way a blind guy can do this. So it turned
out. I had this guy named Frank from Houston. He came out in the actually
scripted y'all for me and made it compatible without a mouse. And it was good
job for me. You know, I was able to, again, encourage a lot of people for a
couple of years there at dark. So that's good old school technology that's been
around since the early nineties is Jaw's and then the Power Braille Display.
John:
Yeah. You mentioned Jaws. So does that mean you were
working in a windows environment?
Blake Lindsay:
I did. And I worked in adults environment when I first got
in and that, that was very compatible with not needing scripted. At Bank of
America, former Nations bank actually is what it was at the time. And so I was
able to walk in there and tell them what I needed. They bought it, they got a
tax break for it after three years. And so they got their money back and
everything. And they also had a guy that was really excited about working in
customer service. And I was one of the top 10% all the time in the call center,
a 400 people. So they could count on my good work, but they showed me off a
lot. And you know, people would eliminate a lot of their excuses when they
would see a totally blind guy doing the job correctly and getting good survey
scores from customers, but also good monitoring scores from the monitoring team
on covering all the, everything that we were supposed to do. So, yeah, jaws is
you know, the PC I've always been in the windows environment. I did have a Mac
for a moment and it was interesting because I was bailing my buddy out. He
said, I've got this really nice Mac computer, and I need money. I'd like to
sell it to you. So you told him, sold it to me for 1500 bucks. And they had a
really nice screen. Of course it wouldn't benefit me, but you know, other
people, users like my wife had a big 27 inch beautiful screen. I called it a
handsome computer. Cause it really was, I was proud of it, but who'd, I
couldn't use it, John, I got it home. And you know, the, the commands, I was
surprised how different it was from a PC. Now, if you, you know, the, the speed
software, which was, are already on, I didn't use jaws cause it's got its own.
Of course. And it was incredibly good. I thought, Oh good, it's got good speed
stuff already on it. Don't have to buy anything. And so if I had grown up in
the Mac environment, I would have loved that thing. And, and I, you know, I'm
sure I could've learned it. I just wasn't patient at about it. So I went ahead
and sold it pretty quickly because I just didn't need it. And I knew it was
going to take a lot of effort that I didn't have a lot of time for, to learn
how to use a Mac. And I thought, Oh, you know, why do it, I'm doing fine on a
PC, but I do like those Macs and they're, they're very blind friendly,
especially if you're, you know, if you're on it at the beginning or if you're
adaptable and I'm not really adaptable, you know, technology is something that
I admire and that I learned how to use, but sometimes it takes a minute for me
to really get accustomed to it. I'm not somebody who can just pick it up and go
with it. And I do know people who are blind who can do that.
John:
Alright. Well then let's slow it down a little bit and see
what is the best piece of low tech?
Blake Lindsay:
No, you're not going to believe it. You're not going to
believe this, but the Perkins braille writer came out probably in the thirties
or forties, I don't know, a long time ago, but I use that thing all the time to
just make a note that I can read anytime, you know, on a piece of paper, I take
a, I take junk mail and you know, the nice thick paper because it holds your,
your note. And so when I'm doing a speech and I'm talking about certain things,
I don't write up my speech, but I write certain talking points that I want to
make sure that I did. I point out and I focus on a little bit. And so I'll
write myself some notes on a, you know, that nice thick paper. That's not very
big and I can hold it down by my side. And they think I've memorized it all.
And I pretty much have, but I just need a little nudges that I write down. So
the Perkins where writers something that I make notes on you know what I do
radio shows I can, I can, you know, read commercials and all kinds of things
by, by brailling it out. And of course I could do that on good technology as
well, but I really disliked it, just braille it out on a piece of paper. And I
I've had pack mates. I've had different note takers before, and I like them,
you know, there's nothing wrong with them obviously, but the other thing is
going to make you chuckle. I get a 1985 cassette recorder. I told you about the
other day, that's in my office. And when I'm on a good quality speaker phone,
like I am at work you know, I can turn that recorder on. And it's just, it just
sounds like the person is right there, even though I'm talking with them over a
speakerphone. And then when I write a story about him or already call about
him, I quote him correctly because obviously I got the recording and I let them
know that I'm recording immediately, but I use that cassette recorder and
that's 45 minutes on each side of a good Maxell or a TDK Chrome tape. And it
just sounds like a million bucks. And here's the thing is a 35 year old
cassette that people laugh at me when they see that next to my Firkins rail
writer. I keep them side by side.
John:
There's some old school terminology there. Where do you
find cassettes? Are they pretty easy to find?
Blake Lindsay:
Well, I bought a bunch of them you know, years ago because
I knew they were on their way out. And so I bought several that were high
quality. There's probably still places you can purchase them, but I went ahead
and bought several. So I just use the same tapes over and over again. I'm very
careful to not put a strain on them. And so I can pull, you know, one single
quality cassette I can get probably four or five years out of because all I'm
doing is just using it over and over and over and, you know, taking notes in
mano. And so you know, the heads seem to be cleaned still. It still seems to be
sound sharp, but yeah, you don't get old cassette recorder. Shoot. I mean, I, I
used to use a microcassette recorder when I did telemarketing. When people
would read a whole bunch of cold call, a telephone number for me, I had these
little micro cassette recorders. And so those were very valuable to me and all
this stuff is digital today, you know, but I I still like the analog stuff as
well, but I can use the digital, you know, and I do sometimes, but I think I
get a kick out of using old stuff because it still works. And it does what I
needed to.
John:
Sure. Now when it comes to reading, are you a reader?
You're a writer and an author, obviously. So do you read a lot?
Blake Lindsay:
I read mainly with you with CDs and of course, audible
stuff. I, I don't read a lot of braille books anymore. Like I did in school as
much as I do you know, articles, sometimes I'll read magazines, braille
magazines in short stories, but typically I, I can read a lot quicker. But, but
you're using a different part of your brain though, you know, when you do read
at least I always heard that for sighted people and I assumed that people who
are blind, same thing, you're using a different part of your brain. And so I do
take time to read a little bit of braille all the time, but it's primarily when
I'm making myself notes and doing speeches and that kind of thing or reading
commercials. So with, with books, I I've gone more CD over the years and which
has become more online stuff, but I still like CDs cause I put it in my boom
box. There's more old school talk for you, but I go out in the garage tonight,
I exercise on my bike. And so I plugged in the headphones, plug in the Sony's
and you know, listened to a good CD and I can learn while I'm really working
out. And so your adrenaline's pumping and it seems to, you know, kick it in
your brain even better.
John:
Yeah. So do you, don't put that boombox up on your
shoulder and walk around with it?
Blake Lindsay:
No, I just, I just keep it there on a counter and then
I've got extended headphone cord and I just stay on the bike. And then I, when
I jumped on the stairstep or I just take the headphones off, but it's
entertaining. I listen to music too. Music is always fun. It just depends on
what, what I feel like doing, whether I feel like educating myself or, or
bouncing around a little bit and then hearing some of my favorite tunes.
John:
So what are your favorite tunes if you had to pick a
couple?
Blake Lindsay:
I would say the seventies is my favorite decade, cause it
reminds me of when I was a kid, but really music started sounding big stereo just,
you know, in the sixties they had stereo obviously, but it was too separated
and there was kind of a hole in the middle of it. You know, with the Beatles, a
lot of that stuff that they remastered later actually sounded better. And
because they, they were able to get that whole out of it. But a lot of the
early sixties stuff you know, groups like the birds and different ones, it's,
it's, doesn't sound really great. Some of the, you know, like 68, 69 by then
they were starting to really get it down. But seventies is my favorite memories
I think, of, of school and I'd get good memories now, too, you know, but it
just, you reminisce and you, you remember exactly what you were doing or maybe
during wrestling season that this song came out or something, you know? And,
and so I, it's funny. Cause when I talked to my folks in the seventies, they
said they were listening to the fifties, you know, my mom and dad were, and
they said sometime the seventies is going to be the fifties to you. And it sure
is, you know, here, we're talking about music 45 years ago, but I like to, I
get to live the disco era. And I was used to a little, you know, I was used to
boy elementary, junior high school and it, but I like the eighties, cause it
reminds me of when I got into broadcasting and I liked the nineties and it
reminds me of kiss FM a lot. So I really like every decade. And I I've learned
to like country music. I worked at a country station for awhile and I wasn't
really adapted to much country, but it's feel good music. A lot of it sounds
really good actually. I've learned to like it classical was probably my least
favorite, but I admire it. And I know it takes a lot of just educated people to
come up with some of the great, you know, Mozart kind of songs that there are out
there and some of them really do sound good. I have to be in the mood for it.
But I noticed that if I'm focusing on my notes, if I'm getting ready to do a
presentation and that classical music really is a good idea, it actually
somehow punches me into the focus mode and I'm able to focus better and to get
it in my mind better. I I like jazz music a lot. I love jazz Christmas jazz as
well. There's like Christmas jazz coffee shop, you know, on Spotify that you
can get in different things. But to me, jazz is some of my favorite music.
There's a a lady pianist named BG Adair. That is one of the best jazz musicians
I've ever heard. And she just really makes it happen. And so it's very
enthusiastic music. So that's probably my favorite, but I've always been a top
40 DJ mostly. Did all these too though. I worked at 97.7 KLUV before I worked
at KISS. And at that time they were mainly playing 1955 to 1976 tunes cause I
was there in 1993. So that was interesting. Cause a lot of that stuff was
before me, but I got pretty good at knowing quite a bit about the artist of
yesteryear. And I thought of my mom and dad, you know, when I'd play that
stuff.
John:
Yeah. Well you have, you've got a lot of experiences Blake
and I also am beginning to understand that you don't forget a name.
Blake Lindsay:
Well, you know, our pads memories never go away, but
sometimes current memory, I don't know about that. I, I have to work a little
harder on that these days, but I'm not senile yet. I still get the thread on
the tire here.
John:
Let's talk a little bit about Envision Dallas. What was
formerly called Dallas Lighthouse for Blind? What goes on there? That's where
you hang out during most days? Is it not?
Blake Lindsay:
Yes, it is. What Envision Dallas is we actually we merged
with a great company that I already knew a lot about cause these people we had
done a lot of projects together, but Michael [inaudible] is the CEO of envision
inc in Wichita, Kansas, and we're in 11 States, they have army base stores,
army based supply stores all over the place. And they're well known for all
their educational platforms. They have some of the best they call it level up
programs that they have in the summer. And I've gotten to be a part of those
for the past five years. And it just really inspires me to get to speak to
students who are blind and visually about their future. So they're an
incredible company and they also are a manufacturer like we are. So sometimes
we can envision Dallas and envision Wichita can actually team up on projects
and we'll, we'll ship the parts to each other, to complete the project, but
we're going to do more and more of that, where we can team up and they can do a
piece of it. And we can do a piece of it in our manufacturing areas because
what envision is and what former Dallas lighthouse for the blind is, is two
things. It's a manufacturer or we're the largest employer for people who are
blind and visually impaired in North Texas in our case. And so people can come
in and there they train up for, we have a sewing department do all kinds of
things for Tex dot. We make vests, make a lot of their uniforms. When you're
seeing a road crew, you know, chances are, we made the uniform, we made those
reflective vests that they wear. And we're real proud of that. And we worked
with TexDOT for, for many years and they've been one of our very best clients
in sewing, but we can really make anything. And so we just have to be properly
trained by the right people who really know what they're doing. And we engineer
the machines, we modify them with guards, they call them jigs, but we have this
guy, Luis Vargas, I call him our MacGyver, but this guy is incredible with just
modifying equipment and making it a safe and efficient and accurate as possible
or ISO certified. So everything we make has to be very, very accurate for us to
continue to get the business from the army, the Navy, the coast guard, Marines,
you know, we, we covered all the military spectrum, but we're also able to do
commercial work if, if the numbers work and that's a little more difficult for
us because China's our competition. And then, you know, the prices can get very
low. And so to train people up, to modify the equipment, to make sure that
we're making money, sometimes our prices have to be a little bit higher, not always,
but sometimes that, that disables us from getting an opportunity. But we do all
kinds of things. A lot of legacy products we've made for years, but the other
side of envisioned Dallas and envisioned a Wichita is a orientation and
mobility teaching. We've got some of the very best, you know, orientation,
mobility, people around to show us what Pat just showed me. We got assistive
technology training with computers and all the iOS stuff. We've got people who
are blind and visually impaired, you teach it. So the relatable, so people can
say, well, you can do it. Cause you can see, that's not the case. We have a,
you know, a couple of totally blind people Donna and Al and then we have Amando
Ortiz who is a partial he's he's got just about 20, over 200. So he's a screen
enlarger you had about this height that you do, John, just, you know, he's
ambiguously blind, but yeah, so it's, it's really a good, a good training
program. Then we have a an occupational therapist. We have an OT there, dr.
Lampert, who is also our orientation and mobility teacher, and she's had loads
of experience and we're real proud to have her. And then we have a program
director now for the first time in years named Wendy Johnson. And Wendy is very
good at coming up with new programs. And so we've got a new art program that
we're excited about. It's called expressive art. And so we've got a little art
studio set up and we're going to be working with the Dallas art museum. We're
going to be working with my friends over at a sculpture center. That's that's
downtown Dallas as well. So we're doing all kinds of great things, you know,
with, with the art program, orientation, mobility, assistive technology
training, and being an employer. And we're just getting new stuff all the time.
We've totally revamped the building. And so we took this, this old building,
you know, that same gold and we made it brand new on the inside. And so we all
tied up, had to put up with the noises, but it sure was productive noise. And
we knew that good things were going to be the outcome. So we heard a lot of
bang in there for six or nine months, but we're, we're sure excited about what
happened with it. And my office for the first time in my life is right across
from the restroom. So I don't have to waste much time if I gotta use the
restroom. I'm quaking, I'm back to work with clean hands and no time. And just
glad to be able to have a new seeming building with all these new platforms,
our assistive technology lab and just everything in there is really a brand
new, you know, she'll say it smells good. It's it's new. And then we finally
got Esther's place. This is something I've always wanted ASB, you know, had
Esther's place for a long time. And what it is is an apartment that's totally
created for people who lose her sight anytime, really, but the people who need
it the most who need to come in there and see what we have are those who are
losing their sight. And they're wondering, how am I going to be able to be
independent in my living place? And so we have a kitchen with all the utensils
of a person who's blind or visually impaired to be able to use well. And you
know, we've got talking for monitors, we just have a lot of, a lot of great
technology. That's simple to use a lot of the simple stuff. And then we have color
contrast in the apartment for those who have a little bit of vision, but you
know, different colors makes it better and brighter and easier for them to
navigate. And so this apartment Esther was originally the lady who, who thought
of it, never got to meet her. I don't think she's alive today. I told them they
should call it Out of Sight Living. I thought that'd be a good name.
John:
Yeah. I think I've been there. It's done with the AFB.
Yeah.
Blake Lindsay:
Yes. Yep. And so we're, we're still working with AFB and
Neva Fairchild, you know, as a good friend of mine. And we she's not currently
working directly with us, but I, I know she'll probably be instrumental in the
beginning stages of how to show people through, but AASB, we're, we're really
close and partnering with them and their donors that, that used to, you know,
provide funding for, for this. And I think it's one of the best things that
people can really look forward to coming in and, and seeing it and, you know,
believing in their independence again, after they, after they see what's in
there and learn, you know, how, how much easier it is than what they thought it
was going to be. It's, it's a real encourager. So we finally are just opening
that up. We just installed all the, all the stuff in it here in the last couple
of weeks, it's brand spanking, new or eager for people to come through. As soon
as the COVID-19 is behind us a little bit more. But we take temperatures from
people come in now and we keep our six feet apart and we've got a free mask
that we actually make. We make masks had envisioned Dallas and our sewing
department that we sell to text dot and other, other state agencies. And I've
been selling to schools public schools, colleges, universities, tech schools,
the whole Scooby doo. So we we've really got a lot to show off and it's people
who are blind and visually impaired that we care about. And we're, we're making
it happen for, you know, the people who are only 30% employment rate, 70%
unemployment rate in the blind community still. And I want that to change. I
know you do too, John, that's just ridiculous that it ought to be 50, 50 and
even better. But I would say it should be 50 50 by now with technology. But the
thing that I always tell people, and I won't get on my soap box, I promise you,
but people who are blind can not always do what they want to do. Neither can
sighted people, but sometimes you get to take a job that may not seem fun, and
it may not be your dream job, like customer service. For example, I used to try
to get some of my, my blind buddies to come in with me and do customer service.
They're like, Oh no, man, I'd be cussing out the customer. And it's like, no,
you wouldn't, you you're a professional. You're making a living. You're helping
people out. You're inspiring people by working. So there are a lot of people
that ought to be working and they say they want to work, but they really don't.
They want to do what they want to do. You know, if they have that opportunity,
they'll do it. But sometimes dream jobs never, never come along. Unless you
opened up the door for some things that maybe you don't really want to do, but
you can get good at. And it seems to blaze a trail for the future for, for good
things to happen. You know, there's a reward.
John:
I think you're right. I think Envision Dallas is a good
place to get started on a lot of those things too,
Blake Lindsay:
It really is. You learn work ethic there. We've got
camaraderie. Like I've never seen a lot of the people lose their sight later in
life. They think the world is ending for me as far as any fun thing or any
fulfilling thing that they're going to be able to do. And so they come and they
tour and that's when the light comes on. And then they say, Hey, you know,
maybe I can do this. And so they, some people will either learn how to use
computer they'll work with Al or somebody like that. And they'll get inspired
to learn how to use computer and technology and maybe go customer service or in
sales, or maybe somebody will say, you know what? I wouldn't mind doing sewing.
I'd like to learn how to be a, or I'd like to learn how to make eyeglass cases.
That's been one of our legacy prod products for a long time. And so they learn
how to do a job and then they get into it. And before, you know, it, 20 years
have gone by and here, they still are only. Now they're one of the mentors at
first, they needed the mentors. So they needed the people to surround them who
were blind and visually impaired to kind of show them the ropes. But now
they're the, they're the leaders. And so that's interesting. I got a buddy
named Oliver Smith who was a truck driver and he lost his sight at 52 years
old. So he was a later, a late bloomer. I tell him to blindness, he's totally
blind. And this dude really inspires me to know when, and he's, he's he's
almost 80 years old now and he doesn't want to retire yet. And he doesn't need
to cause he's still earning his keep, he's pulling his weight. And he was
employee of the year here about a decade ago, but I met Oliver and I
interviewed him and he's got quite a story to tell and he's, he still remembers
being able to see the world through his truck windows and being able to drive
down the highway all over the United States. And so he likes to refer to those
times as well, but not in a SRE way, but in a very positive man. I'm glad I
could see when I could, but I'm glad that I got a place to go to now as a
person who's blind. And so he's about 20 years old with us already. I think he
went through a Tran transition time at age 52, but before law. And then he was
at former Dallas lighthouse and plugging away. So it's, it's fun to see people.
I call it the transformation place in a lot of a lot of ways, because I've seen
a lot of people who really feel sorry for themselves. And they deserve to for a
minute either when you're losing your sight, you deserve to be able to you
know, have some negative reflection until you learn otherwise. And it's fun to
see people come around and then for them to eventually become the mentors and
say, Hey, I went through this and you're going to like it once you get on the
other side. And so they become the excited mentors. So I've seen a lot of that
in 11 years. I've been there. It envisioned Dallas.
John:
There's no shortage of white canes walking around Envision
Dallas. And it brings me to my next question about white cane day. That's
something near and dear to your heart.
Blake Lindsay:
I've organized the past 10 of them in Dallas. And I, when
I first heard about it, I got to tell you a funny story. This is just between you
and me and your listeners. But Nancy Perkins was my president at that time. And
she said, Blake, I want you to organize white cane day this year. And this is
when I first got there in 2009. And I guess it was October, 2010. And she goes,
you're familiar with white cane day. Right? And I said, yep, sure am and I was
Googling it real quick. It was on my computer. I was thinking, what in the
world is she talking about? What is White Cane Day? I never heard of it in my
life. And so I had it right there and I had my earphones. So I was listening to
it as she was talking to me. So I was reading about President Lyndon, B Johnson
and the proclamation on October 15th of 1964. And so anyway, I was this
educational mouthpiece about White Cane Day when I knew zip, you know, I didn't
know anything prior, but I ended up organizing it that year. And we had a good
event. There was a lot of providers, a lot of service providers helped me out
in speaking about, you know, you remember last year when we had TWS out there, Texas
Workforce Solutions for the blind, we had a mobility management came out and
talked about upgrades that were coming. We have, you know, the American
Foundation for the Blind. We have people from NFB and ACB, both of the, you
know, those national Federation for the Blind, American Council of the Blind.
But we have different kinds of speakers like you to, John who get out there and
tell your story about what it was like to lose sight and how faith came into
the picture. And now you're grilling and talked about the grilling show that
you were on. And just so there's a lot of inspirational speakers mixed with a
lot of the providers that really make some things happen for the blind
community. And so it's really quite a celebration. We had over 200 people last
year, but this year it's going to be an experience. And I'm excited about it,
but I'm a little bit old school. I like live events. I like to be able to shake
hands. I'd like to be able to see people that I don't get to see, but once a
year, having a great time in celebration, it's a very celebratory day or
celebrating independence. We're learning some new things. We're inspiring each
other. We're walking around city hall, but this year it's all going to be done
virtually. It is a whole new world. There's going to be some flaws here and
there that I'm already hoping to overcome and to have a couple of practice runs
so that we don't waste a lot of each other's time on that. And we can have a
really good clean one hour program instead of two. So I'm going to get right to
the proclamation this time, mayor Eric Johnson is going to join us. And then
I've got my buddy, Mike Doocy from Fox4 is going to come by and be a part of it
virtually. But you know, I'm going to have, have some speakers and some updates
for the first 30 minutes. And then we're going to break off into three
different platforms and people will pre-select those when they sign up and that
way we can have it a very efficient, smooth transition, and people can either
go to tech talk and that's with Jack Hickman and a partner, his discussing all
the brand new stuff, coming out, things that people don't even know about yet,
or that are on the way. And some of the most popular things that have been
useful the last five years. So this would be something that you'd probably be
interested in. I know I would be, that's probably where I'm going to end up.
There's a lady talking about grooming and you heard her last year and she's
very positive. And she teaches people who are blind and visually impaired how
to put on makeup for female, but how to do all kinds of good, basic grooming to
look their best and that's quality when it comes to job interviews, especially
making that first impression, going out on that first date with somebody
there's a variety of reasons to look our best and you know, be our best. And so
she's popular. She does great work. She's going to have a platform. And then
we're going to have Neva Fairchild talking about when the right time is to tell
your future employer, before you meet him about your disability, when and how
and why to tell them. And and I think that that's going to be solid for, for
those high school students that are seeking you know, the world of business or
even, even going to school and that kind of thing. But so we've got three
things that I think will work well as far as good discussions that people will
get a lot out of.
John:
Well, it's a great day. It's a great event and you always
do a tremendous job putting it together. So I thank you for that.
Blake Lindsay:
Well, I enjoy doing it. Thanks, John. I appreciate that
recognition. And I love getting people together and I think it's a very
worthwhile program that, that gets people in school excited about your future.
And it's, it's just, it's a celebration. So we'll see how it goes this year. I
know it'll be great. We're going to do our best.
John:
Well, thanks a bunch for joining us, Blake.
Blake Lindsay:
You're welcome John and good success with your podcast,
and I'm glad you're out there inspiring people and all of your subjects. And
I'm eager to listen to several of them this weekend and catch up.
John:
We'll talk to you again soon. Thanks, Blake!
Blake Lindsay:
Okay, John!