Chelsea Schumacher's Personal Story on Becoming a Certified Orientation & Mobility Specialist

(upbeat music) - [Speaker 1] It's such a privilege to work with these kids and families. - [Speaker 2] I love my career. - [Speaker 3] Vision professional? What's that? - [Speaker 4] Helping change lives for the better. - [Speaker 5] I'm fulfilling my purpose, it's my passion. - [Speaker 6] I am part of the solution. (gentle music) - [Chelsea] I woke up one day and wondered, "How did I end up here?" Corporate sales job, cubical living, climbing that corporate ladder. I wanted more out of life. I wanted to make a positive difference. I thought back to a service trip that I did, working with athletes who were blind. The National Goalball Tournament. Wow! These athletes rocked my preconceptions of living with a visual impairment. They were killing it! So much for my perceptions of people with visual impairments as helpless and dependent. So, I looked into a career change. And now, no two days are the same. I work with such a range of kids from infants on up. It's an amazing thing putting a white cane in a kid's hand for the first time. And seeing them learn to use it, and become more independent. (lively music) And, to help them with the basic skills of life, shopping for groceries, using public transportation. My why is empowering kids to be independent and living full lives regardless of life's challenges. (ball thundering) - [Referee] Out! And, to change people's misconceptions about people with visual impairments. Let's not put limits on people. Let's help them be the best they can be. - [Announcer] If you seek a sense of fulfillment in sharing your talents to enhance the lives of others, this is the profession for you. There are job opportunities for vision professionals across the State of Texas. And, funding is available to support tuition cost for certification. - [Chelsea] My name is Chelsea Schumacher, and I am a Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist. I became a vision profession, you can, too. (upbeat music)