Turning Vision Loss Into A New Beginning With New View Oklahoma

New View Oklahoma is a nonprofit which helps people with low vision or blindness regain their independence.

One of the many programs offered, MOVE, More Opportunities through Vocational Evaluation, helps their students develop skills that will enable them to rejoin the workforce.

Kyle Ford went through a life-altering change.

"Since April, I have lived in a whole new world of darkness,” Ford said.

Ford became blind after injuring his eyes in two separate accidents. He relies on his support system.

"With the support of my wife, friends, family, church, I would say it's been easier than most,” Ford said.

To regain some of his independence, he's working with Terry Rairdon and the staff at New View Oklahoma through their MOVE program.

"If all the sudden we woke up and didn't have vision you know we would go through a state of depression and bringing our services to those individuals can help them understand there is hope," Rairdon said.

Ford is relearning how to use his phone, send emails on the computer, and navigate his surroundings using a white cane.

“It is so beneficial to me and when you reset your mind to the thought of 'OK it's a little different from it used to be, but I still have the same access I used to have. It's pretty amazing,’” Ford said.

This life-altering change comes with its fair share of challenges but Ford's not letting it limit him.

“I am extremely grateful for this place,” Ford said. “This has been an added blessing to me in the sense of I was blessed with the help I have at home but I would have never been able to do any of this without knowing about this."

Ford will graduate from the program in December and hopes to use what he learned to get back to work.

To learn more about New View Oklahoma, click here.