2008 Mary P. Oenslager Scholastic Achievement Awards
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"RFB&D opened a door for me into a new world; the world of knowledge, adventures, life and imagination." Yelena Chepurina
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Being chosen to emigrate to a new country and pave the way for her family was a big responsibility. Given this mission and a 10- month time frame before the family arrived, then 19-year-old Yelena Chepurina knew she would have to rely on her "excellent memory, command for language and earnest desire to learn." These were skills she learned growing up in Kazakhstan, a country she describes as totally unprepared to accommodate her vision loss.
Diagnosed in early childhood with retinitis pigmentosa, Yelena received little formal education and no usable materials from the Kazakhstan school system. As she recalls, "I was given an average grade in an effort to just advance me to the next grade level." Despite this, she listened eagerly to the lessons, learning as much as she could from what she could hear. So strong was her desire that she even taught herself to play the piano, eventually composing her own music and performing with children's choirs and church communities.
Once in the United States, she was inspired by the availability of RFB&D's audiobooks to quickly master English. "At first," she says, "it was incredibly hard … I couldn't understand a word."
Yelena persevered and went on to earn an associate's degree at Holyoke Community College and a bachelors' degree in psychology at Mount Holyoke College. While studying there, she successfully completed several honors research projects, as well as an honors thesis, "'Love at First Sight' Without Sight …" Her plans for the future include completing a master's degree in psychology or social work.
Yelena also provides translation services in her community and has done one-on-one tutoring in English. She compares the struggles immigrants face in learning a new language to the struggles experienced by people with print disabilities. In the same way she helps new immigrants break the language barrier, she sees RFB&D breaking the print barrier by providing "equal access to information."
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"RFB&D has placed me on an equal field with all of my sighted peers." Brian Petraits
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Diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa at a young age, Brian Petraits began using audiobooks in kindergarten. In high school, Brian discovered the benefits of RFB&D's library. The availability of textbooks enabled him to take college level classes. "RFB&D audiobooks have allowed me to gather and retain complex information," he states.
While studying industrial technology at Purdue University, Brian participated in several student organizations, was a sportswriter for the school's newspaper and the caretaker of the "world's largest mascot," Purdue's Boilermaker Special replica train. He served as President of Purdue's Reamer Club, which fosters school traditions and school spirit. Brian proudly states, "The members of the club quickly learned that, although I could not see, I could still lead."
Brian spends time as an advocate for people with disabilities, often
speaking to community and school organizations. After obtaining a guide
dog in 2006, Brian found that being a guide dog owner added a new facet
to his speaking engagements. Audiences seem "a little more at ease"
because "a lovable animal is present." Questions about his guide
dog have opened many discussions, often helping him respond to "stereotypes
and common questions."
Now the Senior Manager of Industries for Bosma Enterprises in Indianapolis,
IN, Brian will continue to volunteer as a public speaker, not only to
educate the public, but because "the experiences I have obtained
through volunteering are priceless and have shaped who I am."
When asked how he completed a technical degree at a world-class university, led so many student organizations and served as an advocate for others with visual disabilities, his answer is brief, but telling. "Hard work and audiobooks," he says.
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"RFB&D inspired me to return to school and pursue higher education and a fulfilling career." Alla Pouzyreva
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Born and raised in the Soviet Union, Alla Pouzyreva graduated from Chernigov Law and Technical School and looked forward to a career in social welfare and legal rights. However, as she was completing her law degree, she suffered complications from diabetes that led to retinal detachment in both eyes, leaving her with no vision in her right eye and only peripheral vision in her left. Years of treatment in Kiev did little to help.
Initially, the Soviet government denied Alla permission to leave the country for medical treatment. Eventually, she was able to emigrate to the U.S. thanks to the Chernobyl Fund, an organization founded in Indiana to assist families from Chernigov who were exposed to the Chernobyl nuclear disaster. During four years of treatment, she learned English thanks to RFB&D's books in both Russian and English, and she became a professional recruiter.
In 2002, Alla created her own nonprofit company, Job Victories, to provide employment advocacy and assistance to people with disabilities. Her program was among the first to work with the Federal Ticket to Work program and has been highlighted for best practices in the Inside Employment News publication. She also volunteered at, and became a board member of, Transition House, an organization that provides services to women and children who are victims of domestic abuse.
Described as "the most diligent student in my class" by one of her professors at Newbury College, she has been recognized with a scholarship from the American Council of the Blind and was nominated to the Alpha Chi National Honor Scholarship Society.
Currently Alla is a graduate student at Cambridge College, working toward a master's in health care administration. She credits RFB&D's accessible books as "the means by which I was able to learn English and transition toward my educational and professional success."
