Living and Thriving with Blindness: A Mother’s Perspective

Lizzie Colin and her mother, Irene, are the perfect pair. Lizzie is visually impaired but has never let that stop her from seeking the normalcies of life or advocating for representation. As her mother, Irene has been by Lizzie’s side every step of the way. “As a parent of a child with different needs, I have never worried about her ability to have a job and live independently. I have often worried more about other people's perceptions of her abilities – mostly because of preconceived ideas of what value a person who is blind can bring to the workforce,” said Irene.


Getting through the application process and even to the interview is never a problem for Lizzie. However, it is often her white cane that gives employers pause as she walks through the door. “I believe everyone who wants to work should be afforded the opportunity. I feel the pandemic was a godsend to people with disabilities who wanted to work because it brought telework to an acceptable form of employment,” said Irene. Lizzie works as a Customer Service Representative for a work-from-home company that focuses on providing employment opportunities for people who are blind or vision impaired. When asked about her favorite part of the job, Lizzie says she enjoys being able to work from home and not worry about transit.

At Lizzie’s job, not only do they understand and appreciate the value their employees bring to the organization, but they are also well-educated on the subject of supporting their blind and visually impaired employees. Not all businesses are performing in the same way, which is where Irene feels state agencies can support community members the most. “Engaging with local community industries to educate them about the talent pool available to them, and how for little to no cost they can obtain a fantastic employee,” she said. As Lizzie’s mother, she has seen an extreme difference in her daughter’s mental health and social skills since she started her job. Lizzie shares interesting and fun work stories at dinner and is proud she can pay her rent, treat her parents to the occasional Chick-fil-A dinner, go to the movies with her friends, and pay for gas for special trips. She is even saving for her first apartment at age 29– and Irene couldn’t be more proud.

Lizzie is a client of Rita Dee’s at The Choice Group. Her mother, Irene shared the following message: “I would like to emphasize the importance of the work The Choice Group does, and how much I appreciate you all. You are not just helping someone find a job: you are fostering independence, self-reliance, confidence, and acceptance. You are changing someone’s life by finding opportunities for them to engage in meaningful work – to contribute. Thank you for your dedication to your clients.”
Thank you, Irene and Lizzie, for putting your trust in us and for being so wonderful to work with!