Marty entered my life when he bounced into my 7th grade Life Science classroom many years ago. He was a tiny red head with a mischievous grin.

It didn’t take long to discover Marty was burdened with a serious physical condition. His Mom had contracted German measles while she was carrying him. The virus caused serious damage to Marty’s eyes.

Although he was able to see very large images, although not clearly, he was considered to be legally blind. His text books had to be ordered with extra large fonts. And even then Marty had to bend his head and view the words at very close range.

His classmates were kind to him and he was just accepted as the boy who struggled with his vision.

Besides being his life science teacher I was the high school cross country coach. During those years I would send out letters to potential runners and invite them to join the team.

How surprised and pleased I was when Marty chose to give the sport of cross country a try. Vision impaired students had few options if they desired to become an athlete.

He attacked the conditioning drills and became a positive addition to our team.

His vision difficulties caused a few problems when Marty needed to follow the flag marked cross country course. If he became confused his teammates were quick to get him back on the correct path. 🙂

He battled the vision problems throughout his elementary and high school years but always with a smile on his face.

Marty was a successful Wheaton High School graduate and after the ceremony he ventured bravely into what must have been a scary world.

I lost track of him as he made his way out into the world and I always wondered if his vision impairment would impede his ability to become successful.

Last week my concerns were answered.

Marty and I had become Facebook friends a few years ago. In the process we learned of our mutual interest in sleuthing with metal detectors.

Last week I received a message from Marty stating he would be visiting his Dad in Wheaton. So we set a time to meet and do a little metal detecting.

That’s when I learned of his amazing accomplishments…..Marty the overcomer! 🙂

The first reminder of the affects of his handicap was made evident as we prepared to leave for metal detecting. I drove of course because poor eye sight prevented Marty from procuring a driver’s license.

How unfair and disappointing for a teenager to be unable to experience that right of passage.

But I asked Marty to catch me up on his life and there were no more disappointments mentioned.

He attended South Dakota State University in Brookings, S.D. graduating with a business degree.

Shortly thereafter he returned to school and obtained a degree in Special Ed for the blind.

Marriage and family also transpired during these busy years as Marty and his wife were blessed with two children.

After working with the blind for several years Marty returned to school and earned his certification to become a Superintendent.

He served as a Superintendent in schools for the blind in Oregon, Colorado, Nevada and Kentucky.

I’m in awe of the above and beyond effort it must have taken to study and learn the skills needed to become qualified in all of those fields while doing it sightless! 🙂

Now if you think this is the end of the story you would be mistaken. At the end of our metal detecting excursion Marty pulled out his business card and handed it to me.

The card read Kentucky Cornelius Metal Detecting followed by “Call for Free Jewelry Recovery for Recent Losses”.

That made me smile. A business run by a sightless person providing hope in locating lost items! That’s optimism in the highest something our world needs much more of!

As a teacher for forty-tw0 years that is the kind of story that affirms my choice of professions. What an honor it has been to be an influencer of hundreds of children’s futures.

Hopefully our time together in the classroom and on the cross country course helped Marty develop the confidence and work ethic that has made him such a success!

Also it is a success story for others to look up to and be encouraged by.

But the final congratulations goes to the sightless young man who persevered and drove himself to clear all the many hurdles that could have been obstacles for him to give up. Congratulations Marty on a life well lived! 🙂

And I know I speak for all of the Wheaton Public School teachers as we share our pride for everything Marty has accomplished!

The search for treasure was cut short by a rain shower. But Marty the pro that he is discovered a quarter and two pennies.

I of course was the least experienced but I did manage to unearth four crushed beer cans!

Thanks for sharing our success story with us Marty. 🙂

Until next time.