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Larry Colbert's One
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Bureau- Friendly One Sheet
Larry C. Colbert
In just one hour on a crisp
fall day Larry Colbert’s life dramatically and significantly changed
forever. Larry roared out of the Goddard Space Flight Center in
Greenbelt, Maryland on his powerful motorcycle headed to his annual eye
doctor’s appointment. It turned out to be a ride he’d never forget.
In that short examination, the ophthalmologist informed Larry he was
legally blind and was rapidly speeding down the road to eventual
blindness from Retinitis Pigmentosa, a hereditary degenerative disease
of the retina.
Before being shocked into this unavoidable reality, Larry's life had
been on the fast track. Employed as an unmanned satellite controller at
the NASA facility, Larry's future seemed certain. He was married, had a
young daughter, and in addition to his career actively pursued his
collectable car hobby.
This life changing disease would cause him to face the inevitable
questions. How would he be able to support his family without the
ability to see? What would become of his love of cars, the joys of
rebuilding engines, the feeling he relished of speeding down the road
astride his beloved BSA motorcycle? Thus began Larry Colbert’s long
struggle to achieve the independent lifestyle he so desired.
On the recommendation
of his ophthalmologist, Larry completed a fourteen-week coarse for
mobility and personal adjustment training which provided instruction and
techniques to prepare him to adapt to his rapidly diminishing vision.
Yet, even though he excelled in all aspects of this training, Larry
ignored these new found skills and stuffed the tools away in a closet
avoiding and refusing to acknowledge his continually fading eyesight.
In 1976, Larry moved to Arizona and almost immediately enrolled at
Scottsdale Community College. it was during his tenure as a student that
he began to confront the obvious. The continuing loss of his
eyesight created a constant challenge. From his inability to see the
chalkboard or read his textbooks to an embarrassing incident that sent a
young woman tumbling "head over heels" in the library, it was becoming
more and more evident to him that he was a man living with a serious
visual impairment.
 Still,
in the end, Larry's masquerade of denial could not continue. His
indomitable spirit required independence. Even though he had gradually
returned to using some of the skills and tools learned years before,
mobility still frustrated him.
Soon through his Uncle
Don in Virginia, Larry learned of a program where dogs were trained to
guide individuals who are blind. He completed the four week program in
the Spring of 1985 returning to Arizona with a renewed spirit and sense
of freedom.
Accompanied by his new guide dog Aero, Larry, resume his coarse work at
Arizona State University earning numerous awards and academic
scholarships, including 1988 Outstanding Disabled Student of the Year.
He graduated Magna Cum Laude the following year with a Bachelor of
Science Degree in Organizational Communication.
Larry's vision of accomplishment continues to soar. He is a two decade
professional member of the National Speakers Association (NSA) and is
actively involved with NSA-AZ, the local chapter where he serves on the
Board of Directors. Lary is one of the founders of their Speakers
Development Lab and participates regularly.
Larry Colbert continues to focus on the future. Driving Vision™,
recently published his first book “Insights from an Out-of-Sight Guy”
which can help you discover that the answers for a life well lived are
already within you.
Larry Colbert truly lives a life of vision, both physical and
compassionate. As a long time member of the International Association of
Lions, he advocates the empowerment of people with disabilities and is
active with the Chandler Arizona Lions Club. He’s held many offices
including District Governor 1998-99.
With a “Driving Vision” Larry continues to live his message: Carp
Diem... Seize the Day!
Larry C. Colbert,
Speaker and Author
"...it
takes action to achieve vision..."
Driving
Vision, Inc. (480) 894-2639
DrivingVision.com
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