William Major's Story

In 1991, diabetic retinopathy caused William Major to begin to lose vision in his right eye. Thirteen years later, his left eye followed. “I didn’t know what to do once I realized I was going blind,” William admits. “At the time I thought I’d just sit there until everything went black. I felt that helpless. Then a friend referred me to SSB, and they turned my life around. Not only did they teach me how to work, they taught me how to live again.”

SSB worked with William to help him learn skills to continue leading an independent life. William’s greatest challenge was moving around safely and confidently. Adjustment to blindness classes helped William learn how to use a cane, lead with his feet using “soft steps” and rely on his other senses. He says wearing a brimmed hat also helps him judge distance. “That way I hit my hat instead of my face!” William has had to learn to rely on his other senses much more. “My family is always so amazed when I hear a siren long before they do.”

With SSB’s assistance, William went back to school and received his diploma. Despite this accomplishment, a failing economy made it difficult to find work in Bemidji where he lived at the time. After counseling with SSB, he was encouraged to start his own business. He applied for and received a grant, a laptop computer, printer and other office supplies to get the venture going. He now owns and operates Major Laundromat in Cass Lake with his fiancée. “SSB has been nothing but helpful to me. They do a great job.” He is impressed by how comprehensive SSB’s services are despite the large territories and small staff.

Technology has also made a positive impact in William’s life. SSB provided him with magnifying devices for reading bills, a closed circuit television, and a scanner for enlarging text. Screen magnification software helps him enlarge and convert text into speech, without which the computer would not be accessible.

William draws on his new confidence and success to give back to his community. He encourages people he meets to start their own business. “Cass Lake is a small area. There are only four or five places to work. So I tell people that they should start their own business to encourage growth so that we have a thriving community. I try to let them know that they have options.”

His confidence has also manifested in other ways. He is very conscientious about recycling. “Recycling is important. I try to push it on others without sounding like too much of a tree-hugger!” he jokes.

William’s family is in the process of selling their house in Bemidji so they can move to Cass Lake and be closer to work. He and his fiancée plan to marry within the year, though with the business of keeping the Laundromat going and raising his four children, finding time and finances has proved challenging.

“Right now, I’m trying to teach my son how to deer hunt. We all love the outdoors. I took my fiancée camping for the first time three years ago. She grumbled at first about sleeping in a tent, but I showed her how relaxing it was to sit by the fire. We caught some fish and cooked them up for supper. And she really liked it! After a while we were able to get a used camper. Now we go camping every chance we get.”

“I no longer fear going blind. I now know there are options. And I know I can overcome anything else that comes up.”