Blind Lauderdale woman gets independence, confidence in new job

By Brian Feldman
Special Correspondent
Posted April 21 2003

Loreen Dixon today is a new person after 22 years of blindness.Dixon, 41, of Fort Lauderdale says she owes her new life to the Lighthouse of Broward County, because for the first time in a lifetime of hardships, she has independence, unshakeable self-esteem and a positive attitude that sees right through her permanent darkness. It all came together because she's working at her first job.

Through a training and rehabilitation program, the Lighthouse works to promote useful, safe, productive and independent lives for people who are blind or visually impaired.Dixon lost her sight at age 19 from retinitis pigmentosa, a degenerative eye disease. "I was a very different person then," she said. "My self-esteem was terrible. I was so down. I was on the wrong track, doing the wrong things and headed nowhere."Dixon has been going to the Lighthouse for nearly 10 years, developing the skills to lead a sightless life, but a job readiness program gave her the one thing she coveted the most, a way to earn a living. And she just received a paycheck for the first time.Melissa Mandel, a vocational development coordinator for the Lighthouse, said she knew Dixon would be an ideal candidate for the intensive program, three-hour classes three times a week for six weeks."This was the cherry on the top of the cake," Mandel said. "She already had the other skills -- mobility training, how to take care of herself, how to cook, how to use a cane and how to take a shower. Now she was ready for a job."In class, she was very highly motivated, very determined, and enthusiastic and a warm personality. She was never late, always handed in assignments on time and never missed a class. Loreen was very determined and worked very hard to succeed."Through the course, Dixon learned Braille typing skills, how to use a computer and a how to use software that allows her to read what she types. She also learned the art of job hunting, resume writing and job interview techniques.She is now a telemarketer making $8 an hour plus commission for the Handicapped Sales Workshop in Pompano Beach, which produces advertising items with custom logos. Handicapped workers produce the items; she sells them in another part of the facility.Dixon says of herself: "I'm more beautiful than I was 22 years ago when I went blind. My attitude is beautiful, my personality is outstanding and I have a lot of good thoughts about myself. I have a job -- my first job, really -- and it's a good feeling."The independence that having a job brings is what Dixon cherishes the most. "I am independent, but I want to be more independent. I have a lot of self-motivation. I want to be out in the world more."I know now that I can survive in the world on my own. I don't have to wait for people to take care of me, take me places. Before my job, I thought I wasn't able to do things for myself. Now I know I can, and it really feels good," she said."I am a changed person, my outlook is very different. I am an outstanding person, and I owe it all to the Lighthouse of Broward for making me what I am today."Do you have a recent story of hope? Have you overcome adversity in raising a family, been involved in a rescue or beaten the odds medically? Contact Steve Plunkett at splunkett@sun-sentinel.com or 954-356-4775.

Copyright © 2003, South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Return to top

November 18, 2002

Handicapped Sales Workshop, Inc. (HSW)
celebrates its 13th Annual Company Picnic.

One of the most important events to the HSW family is our annual company picnic. This year's picnic was the largest in our company history. On November 16th, HSW gathered their entire staff, family and friends totaling more than 425 people for a day full of fun, with activities for everyone.

There was a bounce house, an 18 ft. inflatable slide, pony rides, and face painting for all of the HSW children and young-at-heart. Longtime HSW supporter, "All Star DJ's" provided all the extraordinary entertainment. Everything from dance contests to a wonderful group sing-a-long of this year's theme, "God Bless the U.S.A.".

To quote one of our HSW pen assemblers, "It's the rock'n'est party ever". Through the continued support of the extended HSW family, there will be many more days like this. Days when we all remember, "Disabled does not mean unable".