[Ohio-talk] Hadley Names Ali Benmerzouga 2018 'Student of the Year' - Just sharing ...

[Edward Louden]

I feel privileged to know you Ali, and this news just confirms how great you
are.  

Ed 


-----Original Message-----
From: Ohio-Talk [mailto:ohio-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Ali
Benmerzouga via Ohio-Talk
Sent: Sunday, November 18, 2018 11:20 AM
To: 'NFB of Ohio, Cleveland Chapter List'; 'NFB of Ohio Announcement and
Discussion List'
Cc: Ali Benmerzouga
Subject: [Ohio-talk] Hadley Names Ali Benmerzouga 2018 'Student of the Year'
- Just sharing ...

Hello Ohio,

Some of you know about this news already . sorry for any duplication .
still, there some more info in the message about me, if interested. The news
is on Hadley website.

Start reading here:

Hadley Names Ali Benmerzouga 2018 'Student of the Year'

A former math and statistics teacher from North Olmsted, Ohio who lost sight
in his left eye in 1998 and then, 14 years later, in his right, has been
recognized
as "Student of the Year" by Hadley.

Ali Benmerzouga, 60, lost vision in his left eye as a result of myopia,
which affects nearly 30 percent of the U.S. population and occurs if the
eyeball
is too long or the cornea is too curved. And after experiencing difficulty
with his one working eye in 2011, the career school teacher would wait
nearly
a year before going ahead with surgery at Case Western Reserve University's
Hospital in Cleveland that he had hoped would allow him to keep partial
vision.

"I was still very active at work, at home and loved the outdoors," he said.
"I was just afraid what might happen and put the surgery off as long as I
could.
But it got to the point where I wasn't able to read, write, or drive, and
decided surgery was my only option."

Sadly, his worst fears were realized when multiple surgeries were unable to
fix his deteriorating eye and he became legally blind.

Then, in early 2014, Ali reached out to Hadley and began to learn braille.
After passing through the braille series, he moved on to our independent
living
series.

"I was trying to salvage myself and sharpen my skills so that one day I
would be able to re-enter the workforce," Ali added. "Hadley was helpful,
supportive
and was always there to offer encouragement. They've restored my life in so
many ways and have allowed me to continue to live my authentic life,
communicate
with the world, and meet new people."

Next came a series of nine online technology classes, a curriculum in
business, and then Hadley's Foundations of American Government class.

"Ali is a motivated, hard-working, dedicated student, possessing a cheerful
spirit, uplifting outlook on life and quick wit," said Hadley instructor Ed
Haines. "He always has a kind word for everyone he meets and expresses
gratitude for the smallest of deeds on his behalf. He is one of the most
inspiring
individuals I've ever met in my 35 years of teaching."

"I was overjoyed to learn that I had won Student of the Year," Ali added.
"It made me feel like, 'Hey, I'm back, and still worth something to this
world.'
It gives me a great feeling just knowing that I can continue to be a good,
productive citizen."

Ali
NFB Member - Cleveland Chapter
Cell Phone - 440-590-0315
***
The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the
characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the
expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles
between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want;
blindness is not what holds you back.
***

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