the school district assessment in their home town of
Louisburg, Kan., that said Joe would never be able to work or live
independently

My brother had the same problem in a school for the blind that he attended. They told him that he'd never be able to do anything else, while at the same time, teaching him to put screws in an envelope while acting as if they're in an assembly line. "that's the most you can hope for" they said. They helped him more by saying that, because it pissed him off. He's a father of two, works a good job and owns a beautiful home, his wife is a beautiful and intelligent woman and they're very happy. In fact, they're happier than most couples I know.
...

the school district assessment in their home town of
Louisburg, Kan., that said Joe would never be able to work or live
independently

My brother had the same problem in a school for the blind that he attended. They told him that he'd never be able to do anything else, while at the same time, teaching him to put screws in an envelope while acting as if they're in an assembly line. "that's the most you can hope for" they said. They helped him more by saying that, because it pissed him off. He's a father of two, works a good job and owns a beautiful home, his wife is a beautiful and intelligent woman and they're very happy. In fact, they're happier than most couples I know.

So, good for this young man and his family!!:

"I'm one who can easily get ticked off," says Ray. "That ticked
me off. We saw more in Joe than that."

Talking about families, you must come from a pretty terrific one yourself.
Over the years, I've had various experiences with blind people and they always leave me amazed. My first one was in high school. I was on the debate team and we had the Michigan School for the Blind over for a debate. We were each assigned a student and they stayed with us by keeping one hand on our shoulder. So sure footed one here is leading this poor blind kid through the cafeteria and walks right into a trash can knocking it over. So I very slowly lean down with the other shoulder to pick it up (you know he knew). About then I glance up and my debate teacher is watching from the other side of the room, hol...

Talking about families, you must come from a pretty terrific one yourself.
Over the years, I've had various experiences with blind people and they always leave me amazed. My first one was in high school. I was on the debate team and we had the Michigan School for the Blind over for a debate. We were each assigned a student and they stayed with us by keeping one hand on our shoulder. So sure footed one here is leading this poor blind kid through the cafeteria and walks right into a trash can knocking it over. So I very slowly lean down with the other shoulder to pick it up (you know he knew). About then I glance up and my debate teacher is watching from the other side of the room, holding her sides, splitting a gut laughing. The next day she told that story at the beginning of every class she had. So much for saving face.