A Message of Hope

Even when Craig MacFarlane couldn’t “see” his life’s goals, he could still envision them.

The Edward Jones investment representative was in town last week to encourage local high students to take pride in their work as he shared his insight about how he was able to succeed despite being visually-impaired.

Nearly 750 13- to 18 year olds filled E.D. White Catholic High School’s gymnasium to receive a message that most of them said they will never forget.

The students were introduced to 44-year-old motivational speaker Craig MacFarlane, a man who lost his eyesight at the tender age of 2 years old.

He injured his left eye in a freak accident while playing in his backyard. Nearly six weeks later, the young boy developed a rare eye disease called sympathetic opthelmia, which causes one’s good eye to go blind in sympathy with the injured one.

MacFarlane spent much of his toddler years as a patient at the Sick Children’s Hospital in Toronto, Ontario. He went on to attend a school for the blind in Brantford, Ontario, which was nearly 500 miles from his hometown in Desbarats, Ontario.

“This came as a shock to me that I would travel so far away from home. I mean my parents never treated me like a blind person and I thank them for that, but I never thought I would go that far away from home,” MacFarlane said.

The inspirational speaker said he knew he had to go to the school to learn the things that he needed for survival n but he didn’t have to like it. That is until he was introduced to the sport of wrestling at the age of 7.

More than 10 years later, the multi-talented speaker had earned a number of athletic medals in the sport.

His talents also include skiing, golfing, track and field and, away from the field, music.

MacFarlane said his speaking career began at the age 19 when he came to the United States to live with well-known hockey Hall of Famer Gordie Howe. There, MacFarlane discovered his talents of communication with the public.

MacFarlane said he sees things in a different light from the rest of the world, which he calls his “inner vision.” That is the name of his motivational package, which include books, poems and musical selections.

MacFarlane said he views his blindness as a minor inconvenience instead of a handicap.

The 44-year-old has spoken to major corporations throughout the world, including General Motors and Coca-Cola executives, bringing audience to their feet with his “can do” spirit. His message also has been delivered to more than two million students internationally and throughout the U.S.

“It never hurts for anyone to hear a message like the one Craig gives. He has actually lived life through all his challenges, and in his presentation he uses pride as his benchmark,” said Edward Jones Southeast Louisiana Regional Manager Bill Holchstetler.

Holchstetler, a long-time friend of MacFarlane, said his message did not only reach the students, but the faculty and staff at E.D. White as well.

“Here at E.D. White we pride ourselves on encouraging our students to be the best that they can be. Everyday we try to show them that their education and talents will take them a long way in life. Mr. MacFarlane’s message only sealed what we try to teach them daily,” said E.D. White’s President David Boudreaux.

MacFarlane’s “take pride” message had the students sitting in awe.

E.D. White senior Billy Foret said that it’s pretty amazing to see that MacFarlane has overcame so much and still has so much to give to other people.

“I never could imagine this happening to someone I know. It’s incredible. I don’t think I would have the strength to keep going if I was visually impaired. I think it would hinder my life greatly,” he said. “I commend him for his will and power to do what he does.”

Like MacFarlane, the all-round senior participates in band and sports.

In addition to his speaking tour, MacFarlane heads “20/20 Inner Vision,” a national youth organization, which bears the mission of preventing students from dropping out of school. The non-profit organization educates young people on the value of a formal high school/or college education, as well as motivates young people to have a high degree of self-worth.

A Message of Hope