Zachary’s Story

Thirty-one-year-old Zachary, a resident of Brooklyn, New York, is someone who considers himself to be ambitious, hungry, and motivated. He has always had a strong passion for baseball, playing competitively during high school and college and recreationally during his spare time. Zachary currently serves as the Director of Finance at Harry’s, Inc. He is also passionate about his role as a leader in the company’s Disability Advocacy Program. This program focuses on building relationships by identifying and partnering with non-profit organizations for special projects within the community.

A Life-Altering Experience

At the age of 30, Zachary suffered a life-altering experience caused by a virus that led to brain and spinal cord inflammation (encephalitis), which resulted in a vasculitis to his eyes, causing retinal and optic nerve damage (retinal ischemia), hearing loss, and a host of other neurological symptoms. 

Following this harrowing experience, Zachary could not move, and he was hospitalized for over a month due to neurological symptoms. Over time, he relearned how to shave, wash his face, brush his teeth, and walk. After undergoing intensive physical and occupational therapy, most symptoms resolved. Physically Zachary considers being back to normal except for his vision and hearing loss — which is addressed by using hearing aids.

The Journey Forward

Upon discharge from the hospital, his medical team informed him that Lighthouse Guild is a leader in low vision services and recommended that he reach out for vision rehabilitation services. 

Zachary admits he had zero concept of what low vision really meant. In the beginning, navigating the system was a bit of a challenge. He needed to receive a legally blind certification, apply for vision rehabilitation services with The New York State Commission for the Blind (NYSCB), and connect with Lighthouse Guild to undergo vision rehabilitation therapy. 

Once connected with Lighthouse Guild, Outreach Coordinator Lisa Beth Miller provided Zachary with a compendium of helpful links to information and resources to review. A comprehensive low vision exam followed by the Director of Low Vision Services, Dr. Laura Sperazza, led to a diagnosis certifying Zachary as legally blind. That diagnosis granted him access to certain services from the NYSCB. Simultaneously, Zachary was undergoing therapy with Occupational Therapist Alice Massa. According to Zachary, his introduction to Alice was a huge turning point and the most impactful upon his embarkment of services at Lighthouse Guild. “She was the first member of the team I met who was also visually impaired. She sat down and talked with me, and she matched my hungriness to achieve.” said Zachary. He credits Alice with giving him confidence and showing him that there was a path forward and that she would help him find his way. “Alice was a really strong contributor and an example for me that I remember with fondness and appreciation,” said Zachary. 

Learning a New Way to Navigate

Not feeling safe, after returning home from the hospital, Zachary wouldn’t leave his apartment alone and required a family member or friend to accompany him to all appointments. All this changed once Lighthouse Guild’s Orientation & Mobility and Vision Rehabilitation Therapist, Jeffrey Ambury, arrived at his home. “On day one of training, Jeffrey arrived with a white cane and helped me to understand my level of vision impairment, how to use the cane, and the mechanics around it,” said Zachary. He learned how to approach street corners, analyze the traffic patterns, how to cross the street safely, and how to maximize his remaining vision by seeing how the traffic patterns work. Zachary also learned how to safely navigate the subway system by learning what stop to get off at, the patterns of which side of the train the doors open. “Teaching me these helpful strategies on how to safely use the subway was another huge step forward for me. The orientation and mobility training with Jeffrey was a fantastic experience,” said Zachary.

A Passion for Baseball is Reignited

While undergoing training with Alice, Zachary shared his experience and love for baseball. What a wonderful surprise for him when Alice informed him that Lighthouse Guild has its very own blind baseball team named the Lightning. She introduced Zachary to staff members of Lighthouse Guild who are also players on the Lightning. It required zero encouragement for Zachary to attend tryouts and join the team. He’s been in workout mode ever since. 

“The game of blind baseball has been a gift to me for many reasons —  it’s reignited my competitive sports career, inspired me to keep in good shape, and build new adaptive skills. But most of all, the Blind Baseball community is a family that I have been so honored to be part of. My teammates and indeed my competitors fill me with an immense sense of disability pride, and having the opportunity to represent my country in athletic competition helped me fulfill a lifelong dream.” Zachary recently participated with the Lightning team when some members played for Team USA in the 2024 Blind Baseball International Cup in London. “It was an absolute blast, especially since baseball has always been a fixture in my life,” said Zachary. “It’s been a real privilege to be a part of this team and to be sharing a field with this group of wonderful people.”

Advocating on Behalf of Disability Communities

After learning about Lighthouse Guild’s GuildCare Adult Day Health Care program and Youth and Teen Support programs, Zachary worked with Kiana Glanton, Development and Special Projects Manager, to form a partnership with Harry’s Disability Advocacy Program. Recently, an event was held where Harry’s employees packed gift bags filled with personal items, including the company’s shave products, body washes, and other personal care goodies. These bags will be provided to participants in the Lighthouse Guild’s programs. Harry’s also hosted Lighthouse Guild staff members at its headquarters for a panel discussion to learn more about our organization’s programs and services and what it means to be blind or to have low vision, as well as the key success factors that come with visual impairment. “Lighthouse Guild’s partnership is one that we’re happy about and looking forward to continuing,” said Zachary.

Zachary said for anyone who has experienced what he has, “There’s work to be done, and you’ve got to work hard for it and put in the time and effort. I’m a big believer that I’m going to be the person that I was meant to be, and this is just one aspect of who I am. I just happen to not be able to see as well as other people can.”

Feeling Grateful

For anyone diagnosed with low vision and in need of services, Zachary said, “They should run, to Lighthouse Guild, not walk. What Lighthouse Guild has created and the community impact building that is taking place there, I see them as leaders and examples for others to emulate. I have had a wonderful experience, and to this date, partnership with Lighthouse Guild. I am grateful for the friendships, relationships, and now collaboration and partnership that have developed with the Lighthouse Guild staff — especially Kiana Glanton, [Marketing Manager] Jeremy Morak, and [Adaptive Technology Specialist] Edward Plumacher.”

In closing, Zachary said, “I had a fear that I was going to be missing out on things in life, but I found there to be a lot of beauty in this new way of living. I’ve learned a lot about myself, and I’ve changed in a lot of amazing ways that I appreciate, and that wouldn’t have happened had I not been in this situation.”