WBRE/WYOU TV did 3 stories about me. The first, I walked a mile in ladies high heel shoes for an important fund-raising project. The 2nd was about a benefit magic show that I performed in honor of my newest Freedom Guide Dog Otter. And the 3rd was about a clock that I made for my church to chance off to help with the winter heating bills.

This is the video of the benefit magic show that I performed in my Freedom Guide Dog, Otter's honor. It was never meant to become public, however with kids of all ages confined to their homes because of the pandemic, I decided to make it available. When I say all kids, I am thinking of ages 8-80.

I am a woodworker that is blind. Here are some pictures of my woodworking.
My Woodworking Photo Gallery
Over the past 20 years I compiled a group of resoursce links that primarily are intended for people who are blind or low vision.

One of MY guest stories is an amazing story about Alan Paganelli who was the world's first totally blind airplane pilot.

I spent the entire month of April, 2023 between two hospitals and a rehabilitation center. During my stay, I had several nurses and staff ask me about what do they need to do to work with a blind person. I remember reading a publication made by the Pa. Council for the blind addressing this question. I decided to make it available on my web page. By clicking the following link, you can read it on-line or print and save the document.

BEST PRACTICES FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS WITH PATIENTS WHO ARE VISUALLY IMPAIRED

To contact me, send an email to: Lenny Please put"About your web page"in the subject line. That way I will know that it is not a spam message!

I would be honored if you would kindly sign my guest book

My Stories index

This is an inspiring story how complications from surgery left me paralyzed and my recovery. This is truly a must read for anyone in the medical profession.

BE CAREFUL FOR WHAT YOU WISH, YOU JUST MIGHT GET IT

Hard to believe, falling down the basement steps is one of the best things that ever happened to me

FALLING DOWN BASEMENT STEPS

I joined the zipper club in 2004, this story should convince everyone not to ever dismiss a potential medical problem.

Joining the Zipper Club

This is my story of a successful life while dealing with blindness.

MY SUCCESS STORY

I believe that these two tips can help all, sighted, low vision and blind to help prevent a fall.

Prevent A Fall

I am often asked how I can do woodworking. Hopefully this can explain my method.

My Woodworking Ability

This was my first major magic show in almost 19 years. It was a wonderful experience!

Magic Show and Guide Dog Talk

How I Got Started In Magic.

motivational magic

I performed a magic show to benefit both Freedom Guide Dogs and the Majestic Theater here in Pottsville.

Freedom Guide Dogs Benefit magic show STORY

Otter, my new Freedom Guide Dog

Otter takes his pills.

I taught Otter to joyfully take his pills.

A college student majoring in photographic journalism had a class assignment to photograph love and asked if he could photograph Indy and me.

photographic journalism

I was walking downtown Pottsville and while waiting to cross a street this very friendly arm came around my shoulders. It was Dr. Peter Yasenchak, a guidance counselor from my old high school days. He just stood there for a few moments and then told me that there is something to be said about losing my eyesight, as he was looking around the area.

My minds eye, memory of Pottsville

In 1992, much of the filming of the movie The Distinguished Gentleman Starring: Eddie Murphy, Joe Don Baker, Sheryl Lee, Victoria Rowell, Grant Shaud, Lane Smith were in Harrisburg Pa. The capitol building was only a four or five minute walk from the PennDot building where I worked.

Almost In a major production movie

This is an interesting story why I wore ladies high heels one day. The story is very serious but written with a touch of humor. The program is a fund raiser for the Sexual Assault Resource and Counseling Center. This story contains some hilarious videos and photographs. My story will make you laugh and cry at the same time. Also there is a very funny video of me using some powertools.

Walk a mile in her shoes

I had the world's first talking computer linked to an IBM mainframe computer. It is both an interesting and alarming story.

FIRST TALKING COMPUTER STORY

Many years ago I requested some mobility training. I was able to travel in very familiar environments without the use of a cane. As I was losing more of my vision independent travel was becoming difficult.

WHEN TO USE A CANE story

The New Jersey State Attorney issued a press release educating business owners, hopefully preventing future guide dog discrimination cases.

My discrimination story

This is a follow-up story to my guide dog discrimination case, with a very funny ending.

SEEING AND HEARING SIMILARITIES

This was a very humorous situation that took place in an Italian restaurant.

Would you like some cheese?

This is another humorous situation that I and some other blind friends encountered

Genuflect - My first lesson

In June of 2003 my wife went to our local State Store to purchase a bottle of Jacob's Creek Merlot wine. She found a contest entry form to win a trip to visit the winery.
Our trip to Australia

Here are a few quite interesting amateur radio stories. Kind of makes you wonder/understand why my wife had gray hair at an early age!

Amateur Radio Stories

I heard part of a discussion about evolution vs. creation. I started thinking more about this and I came to the conclusion that they are probably one and the same.

evolution vs. creation

I have been blessed with a wonderful sense of humor. When I read an ad for this t-shirt, well, just read the story and the rest is history. Too Much Sex Causes Blindness! Spread the word!

Too much sex causes blindness t-shirt

World Tour

I am so very humbled that this web page has been on a"World Tour". My old dear friend Mike Fisher insisted that I share my stories

with the world. He could not have been more correct.

Here is the list of the countries from which I received positive emails about my web page content:

Australia

Canada

Costa Rica

Denmark

England

France

Germany

Iceland

Ireland

Israel

Italy

Japan

Kenya

New Zealand

Pakistan

Philippine Islands

Porto Rico

Scotland

Sweden

Zambia

BLIND BEATITUDES

Blessed are they who refrain from shouting when they speak to me.
Blessed are they who talk directly to me and not to someone else.
Blessed are they who say who they are when entering a room and say hello to me.
Blessed are they who say goodbye to me when they leave so I am not left speaking to the air.
Blessed are they who do not hesitate to say SEE when talking to me.
Blessed are they who tap my shoulder gently when they approach from behind or from the side when speaking to me.
Blessed are they who wait for me to extend my hand before shaking it.
Blessed are they who place my hand on an object such as the back of a chair when telling me where it is, so I can seat myself.
Blessed are they who do not leave me in a strange environment without orienting me to it.
Blessed are they who offer me their arm so they can serve as my guide, instead of grabbing, pulling or shoving me.
Blessed are they who come up to me in a large crowd and offer to help me when I appear disoriented.
Blessed are they who do not embarrass me in a group of people by openly referring to my blindness in word or action.
Blessed are they who laugh with me when I tell a joke related to blindness.
Blessed are they who read me the menu and its prices and allow me to order my own meal.
Blessed are they who take me to the cashier so I may pay for my own meal.
Blessed are they who do not distract my guide dog from being my active eyes.
Bllessed are they who treat me like a human being, for like it or not, I am a human being.

A friend wrote this but wishes to remain anonymous:

About This Webpage

This website was first created by my late friend Mike Fisher May, 2001. I have been maintaining it for years with some occasional technical help from Mike.

In the fall of 1966 Mike went off to college and after a year working at a lamp factory, I went off to computer school. That is when Mike and I lost track of each other. About 35 years later our paths crossed via email.

Trading emails on what we had been doing over the years really sparked an interest in Mike. He kept telling me that I have to share my stories with the world. It took a lot of arm twisting with him and a few other friends to get me to agree. The next thing that I knew was that there was a sample web site launched.

As development continued I had the idea of trying to locate resources that could help the blind community. There is now a fairly extensive resource list for the blind and visually challenged on my website.

Now without Mike's guidance, on my own, I developed a new designed website. I tried to keep it visually appealing for the sighted community and easy to navigate for the blind using screen reading software. I have tried to follow the format that Mike previously designed, using columns for the information. I did my best to make this new page useable on mobile devices as well as on the conventional desk top computer.

Special Thanks

To Karen, my best friend A very special thanks to my loving wife for all that she has done for me. She is always there for me when I need her support and help. She always has a great smile, I can always hear the smile in her voice. I am so lucky to have her, not only as my friend but also my wife. Karen, I shall love you always.

To Nancy DeFont Arnold I also have a very special thanks to, the late, Nancy DeFont Arnold. Because of our re-acquaintance at our class reunion, I was able to get back in touch with Mike. Nancy has also had a large part in convincing me to create this web site. She believes that my stories will help others as they did for her. Between her and Mike, I found it hard to refuse.

I have very fond memories of Nancy. We only became friends during the last few weeks of school. I was very lucky to have been paired up with her for all of the graduation events. We laughed a lot and talked about the famous "Y" dances.

To Pastor Marianne Unger I must add this thanks to a wonderful friend, whom I once had the honor and privilege of calling her my Pastor. Pastor Marianne has been a very motivating force in convincing me to share my stories. The story "Be careful for what you wish" in her opinion is a wonderful testimonial to the Glory of God. On July 1, 2001 she encouraged me to tell this story in place of one of her wonderful sermons. She was absolutely right; the members of the congregation were all very touched. Wherever our journeys in life take us, you will always be with me.

To the, late, Mike Fisher I have a very special thanks to my old friend and Web Designer, Mike Fisher. During high school days Mike and I were very good friends. We must have played several hundred games of chess. I have fond memories of going down to the LAR, an ice cream and sandwich shop. We use to carry in the chess game listen to the jukebox, have a milkshake and play a game or two of chess. What a memory! With that jukebox you could listen to ten songs for fifty cents. It was about the fall of 1966 Mike and I lost contact. When I attended my 35th class reunion and became reacquainted with some old classmates. One classmate has a friend who kept in contact with Mike. I was provided with his email address and an old wonderful friendship was re-established. Resulting in the creation of this web site. This development was totally Mike's brainstorm. I am truly glad that he convinced me into creating the website. Mike did all of the technical stuff to make it happen. Thanks Mike.

To Bonnie Zimmerman (From Mike)(This is a note from Mike Fisher, the "novice (webmaster of this site.) I felt that I should mention that the anonymous person Lenny referred to above, who re-introduced Lenny and me, is , the late, Bonnie Zimmerman. Bonnie my great friend and classmate from Pottsville Area High School , class of 1966. She was the main catalyst that brought together the elements that cooked up the wonderful chemistry that made this all happen. As Bonnie Told me recently, "The Lord works in mysterious ways!"

Webmaster's Corner

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Both tis site and my visitors are protected by SITELOCK Global Leader in Website Security Protection & Monitoring | SiteLock

Here are a few informational links that helped me to re-write this webpage. HTML For Beginners And Veterans Made Easy, Start Learning Today

THE WORLD'S LARGEST WEB DEVELOPER SITE Website design, promotion, programming and revenue making

This is the video of the benefit magic show that I performed in my Freedom Guide Dog, Otter's honor. It was never meant to become public, however with kids of all ages confined to their homes because of the pandemic, I decided to make it available. When I say all kids, I am thinking of ages 8-80.

I am a woodworker that is blind. Here are some pictures of my woodworking.

Over the past 20 years I compiled a group of resoursce links that primarily are intended for people who are blind or low vision.

One of MY guest stories is an amazing story about Alan Paganelli who was the world's first totally blind airplane pilot.