2008 Woodie Awards
'There is more to life than what you see'
Blind student tells his story
Mary Ruth Vincent
Issue date: 4/22/05 Section: Features
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Ranger Reporter
Close your eyes for a moment and imagine what it would be like to live in a world of darkness. For Michael Beukenkamp, that world is very real, yet this 20-year-old is lighthearted, positive and looks forward to his future. Beukenkamp, a biology major and second-year student at Amarillo College, went completely blind by the age of 10.
"One day I was out riding a bike, and almost overnight I was sitting in a wheelchair for six months," Beukenkamp said.
As a child, he began seeing floating images that interfered with his vision. He soon was diagnosed with detached retinas, which ultimately caused his blindness. Beukenkamp remained optimistic when he was faced with the reality of going blind as a child.
"I was never really scared," he said. "I just realized that I was going to have to make major changes in my life, learning everything from Braille to relearning how to tie my shoes."
In past years, he has undergone 26 surgeries, which in the beginning were to try to correct the detached retina problem. The surgeries did not bring permanent results, however, so the last few surgeries have been performed to help maintain the slight vision he does have, which is the awareness of bright light.
Although there has not been a successful surgery to date, there is hope.
"Doctors have told me that within the next five or 10 years, research will be developed to help me regain my vision," Beukenkamp said.
Until then, he is assisted in everyday tasks by his seeing eye dog, Miller.
Miller is trained to gauge traffic, to get Beukenkamp through crowds, to watch for overhead obstacles and to stop at curbs and stairs.
Beukenkamp is responsible for his "orientation," which is realizing what's around him. Miller is responsible for "mobility," which is how to get Beukenkamp to where he needs to be.
"I used the white cane for six years," Beukenkamp said. "When I switched to a guide dog, it gave me so much more independence than I ever thought I'd have."
Close your eyes for a moment and imagine what it would be like to live in a world of darkness. For Michael Beukenkamp, that world is very real, yet this 20-year-old is lighthearted, positive and looks forward to his future. Beukenkamp, a biology major and second-year student at Amarillo College, went completely blind by the age of 10.
"One day I was out riding a bike, and almost overnight I was sitting in a wheelchair for six months," Beukenkamp said.
As a child, he began seeing floating images that interfered with his vision. He soon was diagnosed with detached retinas, which ultimately caused his blindness. Beukenkamp remained optimistic when he was faced with the reality of going blind as a child.
"I was never really scared," he said. "I just realized that I was going to have to make major changes in my life, learning everything from Braille to relearning how to tie my shoes."
In past years, he has undergone 26 surgeries, which in the beginning were to try to correct the detached retina problem. The surgeries did not bring permanent results, however, so the last few surgeries have been performed to help maintain the slight vision he does have, which is the awareness of bright light.
Although there has not been a successful surgery to date, there is hope.
"Doctors have told me that within the next five or 10 years, research will be developed to help me regain my vision," Beukenkamp said.
Until then, he is assisted in everyday tasks by his seeing eye dog, Miller.
Miller is trained to gauge traffic, to get Beukenkamp through crowds, to watch for overhead obstacles and to stop at curbs and stairs.
Beukenkamp is responsible for his "orientation," which is realizing what's around him. Miller is responsible for "mobility," which is how to get Beukenkamp to where he needs to be.
"I used the white cane for six years," Beukenkamp said. "When I switched to a guide dog, it gave me so much more independence than I ever thought I'd have."