[NFB-Krafters-Korner] Introduction

[Ray Wright]

Hello Fellow Crafters,
 Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Ray Wright and I am new to
this list. I have no light perception and am  totally blind. I became
blind 20 years ago from Retinitis Pigmentosa after 17 years of
deteriorating vision. I am originally from Southern California and
currently live in Sandy, UTah, just south of Salt Lake City.

My hobby/craft is woodworking. It is also my profession. I am the
Woodshop Instructor at the Utah Division of Services for the Blind and
visually Impaired. Except for taking woodshop in Junior  High School,
I never had done any woodworking since then until I went totally
blind.  When I went blind I attended a training center in Northern
California to learn my blindness skills . At that time I was
reintroduced to woodworking. I fell in love with it.  I enjoy the
artistic process  of creating something from   a board or two. When I
was sighted, my hobby/profession was photography.   I find that making
something tactilly with my hands fills that void I felt when I lost my
sight and now I can create an image of a different kind.  I also love
teaching woodworking to students who have lost their sight. It's a
great way for me to pay it forward and instill in my students that
just because you can't see, doesn't mean you can't use your vision to
make beautiful keepsakes.

I have 2 favorite tools in my shop. The first one is the click-rule.
It is a specialized measuring tool for the blind. Basically, its a
tactile ruler. My other favorite tool is my lathe. I love to do
woodturning and make writing pens, bowls, vases, candlesticks,
backscratchers , tops,  ice cream scoops, bottle stoppers, pizza
cutters, seam rippers, crochet hooks, and whatever else I can think
of.

Anyway, that's my basic story. I look forward to being on this list
and expanding my crafting horizons. Thanks for being so welcoming
during the  convention.

All my best,

Ray