Nashville South covers best of country – yesterday and today’s hits
October 14, 2014
Houma portraitist Boudreaux captures ‘furry’ personalities
October 14, 2014
Cheryl Domingue has progressively lost her sight over the past three decades.
According to Domingue’s friends, she may be blind, but her vision for change is as clear as daylight.
“I have seen what blind people, like Cheryl, can really do in society just like sighted people,” said Domingue’s friend, Susan Bond, who is not blind. “People think that they can’t do a lot because they are not able to see. They can still contribute.”
Domingue was born with juvenile macular degeneration and diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa – an inherited, degenerative eye disease that causes severe vision impairment and often blindness – about 20 years ago.
The 65-year-old has fought the darkness her entire life, as both her peripheral and central visions are being attacked.
She decided to join the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) in 1987 because she was tired of sitting at home all day. Domingue said the highlight of her day was walking to her mailbox every afternoon.
One day, in her mailbox, about 40 yards from her home in Pierre Part, she discovered a pamphlet, which read, “Do you know someone who is blind?”
She thought to herself, “Duh! Of course, I know a blind person.”
The pamphlet spoke of the National Federation of the Blind and the Louisiana Center for the Blind in Ruston. Domingue did not hesitate calling the toll-free number to register for the nine-month program. She also decided to obtain her GED while she was there.
Domingue moved back to Thibodaux in 1988. She attended Nicholls to obtain a degree certified in special education. For six years, she taught at Lafourche Parish schools, including Central Lafourche High, and substitute-taught in Terrebonne on occasion.
After Domingue stopped teaching, negative feelings crept back into her life and she found herself dialing the same institution that gave her something to look forward to 27 years earlier.
“Three years ago, I was at a point where I felt useless, like there was more to life,” she said.
Domingue decided to resurrect an NFB chapter in Thibodaux, after the original group disbanded in the early 1990s because of a lack of interest.
The organization helps blind people achieve self-confidence, self-respect and self-determination.
“I started the chapter because I needed something in my life. I also knew I was not the only blind person in Thibodaux,” she said. “I wanted to bring blind people together to give them something to do and raise awareness about the federation.”
With help from the Thibodaux Rehabilitation Services, Domingue mailed NFB flyers and information packets. The calls began to pour in as 25 to 30 people expressed interest; however, it was short-lived.
Being interested and being ready to become active in society proved to be two different extremes. Actual membership has been small – fewer than a dozen people.
When Domingue began the chapter, she mentioned it to her friend Bond, who joined immediately.
Their friendship began while Bond was driving for the Lafourche Parish Council on Aging. Domingue would frequently ride the bus to doctor appointments or the grocery store; and the two have been friends since.
“She whipped out a $5 bill and put it on the table, and she has been a member ever since. We were friends when I was on the bus. I know where her heart is. I always thought she just serviced people who needed it because she has a good heart,” Domingue said.
For Bond, the decision was easy. During her time with the Lafourche COA, she’d seen firsthand the positive impact services and support for the blind could have in that person’s life.
Domingue added, “With enough knowledge about how other blind people deal with it, it can help others become more active in society.”
The Thibodaux chapter for the NFB tries its best to get members out in the community, whether it is eating lunch at a local restaurant or bowling.
As of now, the chapter has 11 active members who meet monthly at the Thibodaux library branch.
Faithful member 66-year-old Kathleen Dore’ works with Project COPE, which aids blind people by providing equipment to make everyday tasks easier for them. At a recent meeting, Dore’ let a new member use a set of glasses – similar to binoculars – that she obtained through Project COPE. It enabled him to see his grandchildren’s faces for the first time. He had never had access to high-powered vision gear before then.
“He was so happy,” Dore’ said. “I am just so grateful to have this organization where we can talk about our problems with people who have a better understanding sometimes.”
Members also often share the same approach to coping with blindness.
“We never accept the fact that we are going blind. We just have to live with it on a day-to-day basis and take it as it comes,” Domingue said. “It is not something you can just accept. You learn to live with it and do the best you can to have a good life despite not being able to see.”
— michael@rushing-media.com
Cheryl Domingue, Susan Bond, Kathleen Dore’ all participate in the National Federation of the Blind with the same goal of helping blind people gain confidence.
