Walking in the Grand Slam Parade was not entirely new to me—I had participated before, guided by a co-worker to help navigate the bustling streets. But this year, I decided to take a different approach. When my company, North Central Sight Services, Inc., teamed up with Journey Bank to welcome little leaguers from around the world to Williamsport, I chose to walk the parade route independently, using only my white cane. It was a decision driven by a desire to demonstrate that blindness is not a barrier to being part of something big.
In recent months, I’ve been pushing myself to step out of my comfort zone and embrace new challenges. A significant source of this inspiration has come from a DIY woodworker on YouTube, Matthew Peech. Woodworking has always been a passion of mine, and though I’ve had to find alternative ways to practice it due to my blindness, I’ve never let that stop me. Matthew’s detailed explanations and his willingness to share his craft encouraged me to improve my skills and try new techniques in my workshop. His support was so meaningful that he even featured me in one of his videos, which has since been viewed over 200,000 times. The message from that video—“Paul is living his best life and overcoming anything that has been thrown his way”—has stuck with me, reminding me to approach life without fear.
As the day of the parade arrived, I felt a mix of nervousness and excitement. I knew that walking in a crowded parade would be a challenge, especially with all the noises and distractions around me. The loudest of these was the sound of the truck that followed closely behind our group, its engine rumbling constantly. For someone who relies on sound to navigate, this was particularly overwhelming. However, I was determined not to let it stop me.
When the parade began, my boss offered to guide me, but I chose to use my white cane instead. I focused on the sounds of the crowd and the music from our float, using them as cues to keep me on track. As I walked, I noticed that the children in the crowd were fascinated by my cane. My boss pointed out how their curiosity seemed to grow as they watched me navigate the parade route. This gave me an extra boost of confidence, reinforcing my belief that blindness doesn’t have to limit what you can do.
Despite the initial fear, walking in the Grand Slam Parade turned out to be an incredible experience. I felt a deep sense of accomplishment as I moved through the streets, surrounded by cheering spectators. The parade was not just about showing others that I could do it; it was about proving it to myself. By overcoming the challenges and stepping out of my comfort zone, I had a chance to inspire others and demonstrate that disability doesn’t define capability.
Would I do it again? Absolutely. This experience was a powerful reminder that with determination and the right mindset, you can accomplish anything. Disability might change the way you do things, but it doesn’t have to stop you from doing them.
About Paul: Paul lost his vision when he was 15 due to a rare side effect of steroid medication. Despite this, he has worked at North Central Sight Services, Inc. for 18 years, currently in the shipping department, using assistive technology to perform his job. A skilled woodworker, Paul has created various products to fund his passion, constantly finding innovative ways to overcome any barrier. Paul never backs down from a challenge and approaches each obstacle with a can-do attitude.
Here is the link to the YouTube video Paul was featured in: No More Excuses
