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DO WHAT YOU LOVE FOR A LIVING
“Do what you love for a living.” That’s what it says on the cover of the 2007-2008 Scottsdale Culinary Institute’s course catalogue. It’s also advice that several high school students enrolled in this year’s 2007 Independent Living Training Program, sponsored by the Foundation for Blind Children (FBC), take seriously.
“This is my dream job,” he said, referring to his paid summer internship at the Scottsdale Culinary Institute. “I have a lot of creativity and I want to put all of it into cooking. I’d like to have my own restaurant some day.” Although he cannot see out of his left eye, Norman is learning to master knife handling skills and food preparation techniques. His eagerness to learn has impressed his immediate supervisor, Paul O’Neal. “I watched him cut up lettuce today with a very sharp knife and he did an amazing job,” Mr. O’Neal said. “If I had my own place, I’d definitely put him to work.” Although his job placement is what he likes best about the Foundation’s summer program, Norman also enjoys menu planning, grocery shopping and learning to use public transportation – all essential skills for students with visual impairments who want to live independently. The 25-year-old program, which runs for five weeks each summer, provides opportunities for individuals who are blind or visually impaired to learn daily living skills by living in an apartment-setting. The seven students in this year’s program are developing proficiency in everything from cooking to money management to crossing streets at busy intersections. Dorina Aviles is an 18-year-old student who recently graduated from Parker High School. She has poor vision, especially at night, due to retinopathy of prematurity. Dorina traveled all the way from Parker, a small town near Lake Havasu City in western Arizona, to take part in the Independent Living Training Program to boost her self-confidence. “The reason I’m participating in this program is because I want to learn to do things by myself and not with my parents’ help,” she said. “I know I won’t always have them around and this is a great time to get more training.” Like many of her friends in the program, Dorina likes having a job. “I get to go to work at PetSmart,” she said, proudly. “I clean fish tanks, dust shelves and am learning about customer service.” Troy Tamer, manager of the East Camelback store in Phoenix, is thrilled to have Dorina as a summer employee. “She is the best student I’ve ever had,” he said. “Dorina is punctual, gets along very well with everyone, and catches on quickly. She is also self-motivated and that’s refreshing in my business. I’m glad I hired her!” Rick Sankey, from Tucson, attends the Arizona State School for the Deaf and Blind. He, too, like Dorina, has retinopathy of prematurity, a condition that hampers his vision. “I came to the program to learn how to cook new things and improve my route planning skills,” the 18-year-old said. “But I really wanted most to get a job where I could work at a radio station.” And thanks to the Foundation’s Career Exploration Instructor, Darcy Hostetler, that’s exactly what happened. She formed a partnership with Sun Sounds of Arizona, a radio reading and information access service for people who find it difficult or impossible to read print. “We were so excited to establish a working relationship with the folks from Sun Sounds in Tempe,” she said. “We’re very pleased that they were willing to give one of our students a chance to pursue his dream.” “I have learned to operate a mixing board,” Rick said. “When I am an adult, I would like to work at a radio station. Next year, I hope to take a radio class at Tucson High Sc Rick’s supervisors at Sun Sounds are extremely pleased with him. “Personality, personality, personality,” said Marketing Coordinator, Annette Flores. “He always has a smile on his face, a skip to his walk and an eagerness to make you smile.” These are the kinds of comments the students are hearing from their employers this summer in the FBC’s Independent Living Training Program. These are the kinds of comments that will inspire them to find their niches in life. These are the kinds of comments that will spur them on to do what they love for a living. (The staff at the FBC Independent Living Program would also like to thank the following organizations for employing our students: Arizona Industries for the Blind, Bailey Insurance, Habitat for Humanity and Tetra Services.) by Rich Kenney July 5, 2007
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PROGRAMS/SERVICES
Services for Children of school age (K through 12th grade) or younger:
Services for Transition Age Youth and Adults:
Services for All Ages:
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One of those students is Norman Cruz of Phoenix, 18, who will be a senior this fall at Thunderbird High School. 
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