Editor’s note: This story was published in the Spring 2018 issue of HOME magazine. I was saddened to learn Charles Gant passed away in 2023 after retiring from ODRS in 2020. Fatos Floyd and her husband Mike Floyd have retired and moved to her homeland of Turkey. Jeri Cooper left her position at ODRS and her dream of opening Jeri’s house has come to fruition. I’m so grateful to have known Charles and the people he introduced into my life.
Charles and the Eye Openers
By Molly Payne
“Change the way you look at things and the things you look at will change,” — Dr. Wayne Dyer.
In my 10 plus years of interviewing people – first as a writer and then later as host of the KUSH morning show – I’ve had the opportunity to meet literally hundreds of people and hear their stories. They, like the Wayne Dyer quote above, have helped me change the way I look at things.
After speaking at Cushing Lions Club a little over a year ago, Charles Gant, was invited to come on the show to share his story and to talk about his job at the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services – Visual Services Division. Charles helps older people in our area, who are blind or visually impaired, learn
how to be independent. Something he, himself, had to learn after becoming blind at age 60.
Charles, who has a great sense of humor, freely shared stories of his own struggles as a newly-blind person. One story that comes to mind was when his wife came home and asked if he wanted to go out to eat barbecue – which he quickly agreed to. She had one request, however – that he change out of her
blouse before going out. “I didn’t know I had her blouse on,” he laughed. “It felt the same as my shirts.” Then there was the mishap with a knife while trying to make salad. “My wife came home and the kitchen looked like a crime scene,” he recalled. “That’s when she insisted I get some help. I contacted Visual
Services.”
It was a life changer for Charles. Now, he, too, is changing lives. Mine included.
Since Charles’ first visit, he has brought in several other people connected to Visual Services in Tulsa to be interviewed. Each of their stories is different, and yet they all share the same message – they are just people. They don’t want special treatment. They just want to be seen for who they are.
Change the way you look at things…
Fatos Floyd, Field Services Coordinator at ODRS, became blind as a teenager in her home country of Turkey. It was while attending the university in Istanbul she realized she needed to learn to become independent. Since she was the first blind student to attend that school back in the 1970s, there were no special programs to assist her with her studies. “I had a friend who would walk me to class and then come back and get me,” Fatos said. “One night she wasn’t there when class was over and I didn’t know how to get down the stairs.” It was then she knew if she were going to be independent, she was going to have to figure things out on her own. A tenacious soul, Fatos went on to graduate and later came to America where she continued her education. Now she educates others.
During her visits to the KUSH, Fatos showed us how to write braille and her special tablet she uses to read her email, along with other things. She gave us tips on how to fold money to quickly differentiate the different bills. So many “little things” sighted people take for granted!
Fatos’ husband, Mike Floyd, has also visited us at the KUSH. Although Mike isn’t employed at Visual Services, he is a strong advocate for them and the National Federation for the Blind. In his spare time, he enjoys singing and songwriting. One day he even brought in his guitar and shared his talents on air. He also taught us it’s ok to say he’s “blind” and that there’s no need for pity. Blind from birth, that’s the way he’s always been – it’s who he is. Strong and self-sufficient.
And then we met Jeri.
Last September, Charles told us he had another guest he wanted to bring in – Jeri Cooper. Of course we were eager to meet another one of Charles’ friends. But then he announced, “Jeri is blind and deaf.” My first thought – and response – was, “How am I supposed to interview someone who is blind and deaf?”
Charles assured me it wouldn’t be a problem.
He was right.
Jeri is a Deaf-Blind Specialist for ODRS Visual Services and everything Charles promised – funny, smart, kind – and a great interview. She brought her SSP (Support Service Provider) with her. My first instinct upon meeting Jeri was to engage the SSP in conversation, but she seemed a bit stand-offish, barely
acknowledging me. I was gently instructed by Charles that she (the SSP) wasn’t there to talk to me. Jeri explained further, “Once you engage with her, I’m no longer the focus.” We went into the studio where Jeri’s SSP described the room – through words spoken into Jeri’s ear (she wears hearing aides) along with a special sign language “written” with her fingers on Jeri’s back and shoulders. Jeri was informed of my movements, when I smiled or laughed and when someone entered or exited the room. It made me realize how much I rely on body language, as well as my surroundings, when I’m talking to someone.
Jeri talked more about the importance of engaging with the person and not their “helper” – whoever that might be. Jeri teaches people that many times helping too much is not in the best interest of the one with a disability – such as the well-meaning family member who steps in to “talk” or “do” everything for their loved one. “We want you to see US – know US,” she said. “And if you don’t let us do things for ourselves, how can we be independent?”
Jeri is an inspiration. She has had many struggles throughout her lifetime, but she’s persevered and come through as a champion. She wants others to be champions, too. Currently she is working towards opening Jeri’s House – a non-profit residence where the deaf and blind can come and learn how to be
independent in a home setting. Visit www.jerishouse.org for more information.
I can’t thank Charles Gant enough for introducing us to the folks we have affectionately referred to as our “blind friends.” If I were to give Charles and his friends a band name it would have to be Charles and the Eye Openers, because they have certainly opened mine.
The things you look at will change…
For more information on Visual Services in Oklahoma go to www.okdrs.org For more information on National Federation of the Blind go to www.nfb.org
Thank you to all of those from Visual Services who have been guests: Brian Z, Mike Floyd, Fatos Floyd, Jeri Cooper, Charley Tipps and of course, Charles Gant – proud member of the Stillwater Lions Club. And a special thanks to Charles’ driver – Steve Gray.
