Living in Darkness, Always Seeing Hope

 My Childhood: Growing Up with a Disability  High School Years: Looking Toward the Future.  Post Graduation: Entering College and Living Independently.  Achieving the Impossible and Entering the Workforce.

While rolling a ball to his 14 month old son, Blake’s father noticed a halo in his son’s eyes. Later that day Blake was diagnosed with Retinoblastoma, cancer of the eyes, which led to years of treatment and caused him to lose the majority of his sight.

Blake and his family never let blindness interfere with him being involved in activities.

Blake remained active throughout his childhood, always looking for new challenges to tackle.

 Focus on the abilities, not disabilities.  Inclusion, walking side by side with sighted peers.  Setting goals high and believing nothing is impossible.

“The most wasted of all days is one without laughter/.” -E.E. Cummings

Educators throughout my years in school played a vital role in my life. My high school years were filled with teachers who worked hard to prepare me for the future. Outside of my home, my teachers were the positive influence that I needed. Creating a positive mindset, encouraging independence and preparing me for the real world.

Listen and get to know each students individual needs. Just because students may have the same or similar disability does not necessarily mean the same accommodations are needed.

Promote independence and self advocacy. Beginning to teach these essential skills early will better prepare a student following their graduation.

Confidence building and acceptance are extremely important when working with students with disabilities. Find ways to build the confidence of your students and help them in being accepted by their peers.

Work in partnership with others to assist the student while in high school and preparing for the future. Working closely with parents and outside agencies such as DARS will be beneficial to your student in reaching his/her goals.

Blake graduated with honors from Deer Park High School in With his diploma in hand, Blake focused on his next goal in life, attending college and earning a degree.

 Extra curricular activities  Volunteering in your community.  Part time work (summer or after school) Building your resume at an early age

Research and decide on a college that you feel best suits you and your needs. Take advice from others but ultimately make a decision you can live with.

Meet with the office of Disability Services prior to the start of each semester to discuss any accommodations needed. You will need to have documentation of accommodations you received in high school so that they can best serve you.

Be prepared to live independently. Even living in a dorm is a whole new world compared to living at home. Mom will not be there to make you home cooked meals or wash your clothes.

Be prepared and willing to advocate for yourself. At this stage in your life, you and only you will be responsible for speaking with professors, other students and anyone else regarding your disability.

Do not get discouraged! Expect that difficulties will arise and learn to overcome the obstacles. College is difficult especially if it is your first semester away from home. You are trying to adapt to living independently, trying to make new friends all while trying to balance your academics.

Blake graduated with honors from Texas A&M University in May of 2007 with a double major in Speech Communications and Sociology. Although the road to receiving his degree was difficult at times, the day he walked across that stage was one of the proudest moments of his life.

 Learning to disclose and speak about my disability.  Learning to ask for assistance when needed.  Being a voice for all students with disabilities.

“The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics has released disability employment statistics for December [2010] showing that the percentage of people with disabilities in the labor force was By comparison, the percentage of persons with no disability in the labor force was The unemployment rate for those with disabilities was 14.3 percent, compared with 8.9 percent for persons with no disability, not seasonally adjusted.” -Disability.gov

Early in 2008 Blake decided to follow his heart and take a position where he could use his passion and experiences to help inspire others.

The Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services, or DARS, administers programs that ensure Texas is a state where people with disabilities, and children who have developmental delays, enjoy the same opportunities as other Texans to live independent and productive lives. The department has four divisions: Rehabilitation Services Blind Services Early Childhood Intervention Services Disability Determination Services Through these divisions, DARS administers programs that help Texans with disabilities find jobs through vocational rehabilitation, ensure that Texans with disabilities live independently in their communities, and assist families in helping their children under age 3 with disabilities and delays in development reach their full potential.

Blake Boudreaux Phone: (713)