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

[Marianne Denning]

This is awesome! I have learned a lot about you through the Braille
literacy program. You definitely are a hard worker and dedicated to
anything you take on.

On Sun, Nov 18, 2018 at 11:21 AM Ali Benmerzouga via Ohio-Talk <
ohio-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:

> 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.
> ***
>
> _______________________________________________
> Ohio-Talk mailing list
> Ohio-Talk at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/ohio-talk_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> Ohio-Talk:
>
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/ohio-talk_nfbnet.org/marianne%40denningweb.com
>


-- 
Marianne Denning, TVI, MA
Teacher of students who are blind or visually impaired
(513) 607-6053