Moving from Point A to Point B
I originally started my business helping small business owners in Atlanta metropolitan area. I started doing desktop publishing and teaching myself how to IMSU Publisher, Print Shop III and Microsoft publisher. I found some of these programs in the back of my closet in a bag. Once a played around with them , I sorted making business cards for 25.00. Was making 100 cards for that price.
I was hustling back then. People were coming from all sides of town to pick up an order, based on word of mouth. My mom passed in 1999 and I decided to make some greeting cards that reflected the creativity in her, that she never got to express. She was before her time. Had the internet been booming, she would have been a millionaire. I made my cards by hand and I networked at the Center for the visually impaired and got orders from program director of STARs and others who respected my choice to take on a visually demanding career, although I had low vision.
I won scholarships from 
NFB to pay for college and books. I mostly used student loans. I even submitted my portfolio to Administrative in admissions for the college I was trying get accepted to, I won another 1500. Scholarship to go toward tuition. It was very hard and became more difficult the further into my program I got. I had a plan, but some of the hardships came health concerns that developed at 21.I still kept pushing. It was so weird that as hard as I worked the faculty for my department were acting strangely rude and dismissive.
Angry indeed, I kept 
doing what I could without any assistive technology or help from VR. I ended up taking a micro loan from a business development program and have a computer built by one of my friends. He got me Photoshop and things I was needing to have for designs. All through this time I was taking community based entrepreneurship classes. Learning how to write my own business plan and sorting career goals from business goals and networking, I put a lot of strain on myself taking classes at nights and in college during the day.
Albinism is an Experience
Thinking Ahead...
Also trying to build a good foundation for my business. My sister and author Dee, was my biggest cheerleader and used her natural gift in market and networking to help me get viable clients. Back then 100 percent of my clients were through word of mouth and referrals. After experiencing my first big situation where I needed to advocate for myself.
One of my professors pulled me to the side and told me he saw me raising my hand for feedback and he ignored me. He was put off by me; Saying I never speak, work with others and simply wanted special treatment because I was arrogant. Then proceeded to tell me my work was elementary and cartoony.
Hardwork & Dedication
The truth of the matter is we as students were in school to learn. However, people get angry… completely disregarding what someone else may be going through. So instead of my ability to work independently being a plus, it was seen as a fault.
The department manager and this professor was upset because I networked to find low vision resources to get a computer to work from home so that I could adjust things the way I needed to work more accurately at a faster pace. However, they saw me as a problem because I wanted to exceed, but looked for my own resources. It’s like them finding out I had low vision was a slap in the face. They had a couple of meetings one or two, I was a part of.
Enhancing My Skills In Graphic Design to Create with Imagination
Fighting for My Rights to Study In a Program of My Choice
In one meeting, the state assistive technology coordinator had to come out and complete an assessment. During that meeting the program coordinator actually stated, they didn’t know what I was doing there… she was agitated and also pointing out that I don’t talk to anyone or converse with the instructors. So I angrily stated I want to better my craft to offer service in graphic design through my business. She went on to say, well you have never shared that with us. Then I mentioned about the greeting card line I was creating…. then she says well what makes your greeting cards so special? Like a two year old.
My first big self advocate pow-wow and it took everything out of me. When she asked what were my plans after finishing there, I told her that I had applied to GA State and worked to get accepted and that I intended to go on to earn my bachelors in graphic design. Then she proceeds to say, well when you get there you probably won’t even mention or think about us. You came here first. I had to leave them, this was lowest and most petty person I had ever had the displeasure to work with. This whole ordeal of trying get help to remain independent with my work, just made me out to be a three headed dragon
All for what? It drastically affected my mental health and I woke up crying, them cried myself to sleep at night. The entire holiday break it was all I could do. I felt worthless trying to chase my dream. I was empty because I had gone as far as I could without accommodations for low vision. I couldn’t deal with stress. Funny thing is, every other department was a breeze. I got some extra time for testing. Was allowed to sit in the front to see better and the department for which I chose my major treated me like garbage. I turned all my anger inward, it’s something that instilled a fear of failure in me for life. This experience vastly affected my physical and mental health. Also made me cautious of everyone and I just wasn’t able to trust that knew what was best for me.
I did a lot of research and leg work. Visited college campuses prior to applying. I discussed low vision and accommodations needed to be my best. Admissions loved that I was prepared and the few people I spoke with were awesome. I completed financial aid, applied, and was accepted. It was a turning moment for me. If I had know all the things I would go through, simply to better myself I probably would have never tried.
Picking Up the Pieces
This truly hurt me in the worst way, but I still refused to give up hurt an all. I couldn’t be myself trying to hide that sadness. So after getting the computer built I worked on many projects from home, stayed late after class to use the schools computer and even came in on Saturdays that way I could have hours of uninterrupted time, learning to use a Mac Computer… with my craft.
I chose to go to class all year each year with no breaks. No summer, just worked as hard as I could. With great effort I finished a 24 month program in 18 months. After all of that I ordered my transcripts, had them sent to Ga State and was preparing for my next chapter. Then just before graduation I got a called stating they were going to withhold my degree, because I owed 379.00. So all the loans, scholarships and personal checks paid they still tried to find something, to drain the last bit of fight out of me. It was no talking to the person who called.
She seemed quite excited to tell me, I could attend graduation ceremony but would not receive my actual degree until I agreed to and paid more money. Just as I hung up the phone my sister walked un with the mail and my degree was there, as well. I had finished all requirements and projects 6 months early. I tell all of these events were a perfect storm and created such an insecurity in my own ability. It’s something I’ve never been able to shake. Being honest on good days I dragged that feeling and still get things done, no matter how afraid and uncertain I am. On bad days, that feeling drags me and I can’t even get out the bed.
Moving Ahead
This was 2003, nearly 20 years ago, still can’t shake it. Even seeking professional help, most often I work around the baggage, it has never simply just went away. I’m very guarded, defensive… but still work hard to learn and apply what I have learned to help others. Many people get a kick out trying to size me up, but no one can walk in my shoes. Some people have had worst situations and gone on to be great. Some have had less serious issues an are no longer here to talk about it. I’m still here! Everyday I’m praying and using every drop of energy to do something different and be better . I did redesign my greeting card line, but unfortunately lost all my design files with a hard drive crash, 2020.
There has always been something thrown in my path, but I just keep pushing forward when I can and rest up when I can’t. I shared this because many of peers may be experiencing these or similar events, but it’s rarely discussed because people do not want to feel weak or seen as less than. If there is any advice I would share, it would be “ staying consistent pays off”. Find a natural skill or talent and get trained professionally and practice. Enhance that ability and use it to help others and you will grow as you do, Thanks for reading this and sharing. If you would like to share your story send a request by email. Join our mailing list to get new articles and updates. “I celebrate the beauty of albinism by sharing my experience “.
