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General Info | Contacts | Role

I was born blind but have not allowed my disability to stop me from doing things that interest me. My parents have always been supportive and have made it possible for me to have a lot of experiences in my life. I started taking Spanish in the 9th grade. I got interested in the language because a friend was taking it in school and started teaching it to me. I took Spanish for three years, and decided to go to Mexico for the summer. How I found out about YFU was during Spanish class one day…someone came to school and gave a presentation. I told my parents that I wanted to go on an exchange. We listed Mexico, Spain, and Venezuela on the application form. I'm sure that YFU had doubts about letting me participate in the program, but I was accepted.

What did I learn from the experience? I learned how to communicate more effectively in Spanish. I was treated like I was part of the family and also held my first job. It was not a paying job, but it was still a job. I answered the phone in a sporting goods store and translated if someone came to the store and they didn't speak Spanish. I also lived with a family who owned a store, and I was asked to help them also. My blindness was never a factor in either of these two situations. I knew what I had to do and I just did it. I learned that people are people and the language you speak or your culture should not stop you from learning about each other. There are still aspects of the Mexican culture I still practice today.

I am now a student at a local community college and stud computers. My hobbies include motorcycles, computers and anything to do with Hispanic culture. I listen to the radio in Spanish and also watch Spanish TV programs.

Matt Roberts (blindbiker@pobox.com)
Owner of disabled-motorcycle mailing list
http://www.micapeak.com/lists/disabled-motorcycle