When I went blind in seventh grade, everything about my life was turned on its head. But one of the biggest challenges wasn’t just adjusting to blindness—it was figuring out how I was going to continue going to school. I had always been a strong student, nearly a straight-A kid, but suddenly, the whiteboard I took notes from and the paper I wrote on were useless to me. My ability to learn—the very thing that shaped my future—was in real jeopardy.
As my mom started researching, she discovered a heartbreaking reality: many blind students were placed in lower-level classes, not because they lacked intelligence or potential, but simply because they lacked the ability to learn like their peers. Without the right tools, they were given up on, their futures limited not by their abilities, but by the lack of resources available to them.
The statistics paint a stark picture. Only about 40% of blind individuals are employed, compared to 75% of the general population. The graduation rate for blind students is significantly lower than their sighted peers, largely due to the lack of access to proper education and technology. These numbers aren’t just statistics—they represent real people who could thrive if only they had the right support.
Thankfully, technology has changed the game for blind students. Over the past two decades, innovative devices have been developed that allow blind individuals to navigate the world and the classroom in new ways. When I lost my sight, I was fortunate enough to receive some of this technology, and it made all the difference. It was the reason I was able to stay in my normal classroom, keep learning, and graduate middle school and high school with honors. It was the reason I was able to attend my dream school, USC, and earn a degree in Business Administration.
But here’s the problem—this technology isn’t cheap. And the thought of a blind student with the ability to learn being held back simply because they couldn’t afford the tools they needed was something I couldn’t accept. That’s why I created OutofSightFaith—to provide technology grants to blind schools and centers, ensuring that students who need these resources get them. Over the years, we’ve helped individual students and expanded our reach to support larger initiatives.
As I continue to grow and experience new challenges as a blind individual, my foundation has branched out to support other causes. After seeing firsthand how life-changing a guide dog can be, OutofSightFaith raised money to support Guide Dogs for the Blind. In 2019, as I graduated college, we raised funds through my Pro Day at USC to help fund an FDA trial for an innovative retinoblastoma treatment.
Whether it’s technology, resources, or research, OutofSightFaith is committed to helping those in need who are battling life out of sight. Because blindness should never be the reason someone loses their future—it should be the beginning of a new story, one filled with opportunity, independence, and hope.
Interested in booking me for a speech? Want to do an interview to talk about life, faith, my latest football takes—or to hear my finest dad jokes? How about a round of golf where I promise not to gloat too much when I beat you! Whatever brings you here, I’d love the opportunity to connect!
If you’d like to get involved, learn more, volunteer, or make a meaningful contribution, fill out the form below—I’d love to have you join me in making a difference.