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

[Ali Benmerzouga]

Thank you so much Marianne!

By the wway, I am available for the next Braille Literacy Grant if it materializes. Thanks in advance.
 
Ali

-----Original Message-----
From: Ohio-Talk <ohio-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Marianne Denning via Ohio-Talk
Sent: Sunday, November 18, 2018 5:35 PM
To: NFB of Ohio Announcement and Discussion List <ohio-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Marianne Denning <marianne at denningweb.com>
Subject: Re: [Ohio-talk] Hadley Names Ali Benmerzouga 2018 'Student of the Year' - Just sharing ...

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.
> ***
>
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>


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