Mission

Our mission is to provide blind individuals with a new iPhone, train them to use It, and give it to them. This expands their ability to be part of the world through the ability to contact others, research on the web, and express themselves.

IMPLEMENTING THE MISSION

The most common form of a computer is now the cell phone. Apple produces the iPhone, which has excellent accessibility software for a blind individual. They can send/receive emails and texts, and research the internet among many other things!

Our mission is to provide blind individuals with a new iPhone, train them to use It, and give it to them when they complete the instruction. The truth of the matter is most blind folks cannot purchase an iPhone, since most are unemployed.

We will be developing a vetting process for students to be trained. Currently, it includes:

  1. They are required to have a high school education.
  2. There will be an interview and approval by two board members.
  3. They must be able to demonstrate they have the dexterity to use an iPhone.
  4. Students must be able to attend three classes a week. The number of weeks will depend on how quickly the student advances. (Rides can be provided for in-town students.)
  5. They will be responsible for getting and paying for their phone and internet service provider.

If a potential student has the ability to pay for all, or part, of the phone, we request they donate whatever they can to the Foundation. RFF will be providing the phone they will learn on. Being able to give a donation is not necessary for them to become a student.

Our initial focus will be residents of South Carolina. Then, we may expand our focus, depending on our finances.      

Board member Neil Towery’s story:

The inspiration for teaching started with teaching my brother, Tim, whose blindness was advanced when he was very young, under the age of 10.  I had learned JAWS )Job Access With Speech( in blind rehab in November 1998 from the Department of Veteran Affairs.  Before I proceed further I want to say NO Organization is better than The Department of Veterans Affairs, when it comes to blind rehabilitation. In fact, Recovering Sight Foundation (RSF) was designed using their model: train a veteran on a device and give it to them at no cost to them!

 In the spring of 2001, I invited Tim to come and stay with us for a week, and I would teach him the basics of JAWS in a week. He arrived on a Sunday and left on Saturday with several floppy disc containing lessons.  He went to the Mom and Pop family business Genie and I named The Framery, a picture framing business. We opened at 9:00 in the morning.  Tim worked and practiced on my computer at the shop. He was free to ask me any questions at any given time when I was not engaged with a customer. Then, after work and supper, he practiced in my home office for several hours. He had done it in less than a week. 

 I realized later how much it meant to him. Thus, he was the inspiration to teach other blind folks to do the same. Tim was four years younger than I am. Sadly, he passed away in 2016, six days prior to his 70th birthday.

Genie and I sold the shop in 2003. She said she did not want me to be sitting around all day watching cable news. So, all this evolved into the Recovering Sight Foundation.

 The name Recovering Sight is based on two scriptures: Isaiah 61:1 and Luke 4:18. The phrase “recovery of Sight” appears in both. Each Scripture describes The Lord’s mission to take care of the needy, broken-hearted, lame, and provide recovery of sight to the blind. Different versions of the Bible have slightly different wording, but the essence is the same. Therefore we slightly modified it and named our foundation Recovering Sight Foundation.  

 I thought I was only teaching folks to learn to read and write. Others had greater vision than I did. I never considered it would lead some of them to get jobs, go back to college, or stay at home and enjoy their skills and equipment. Eighty-five percent of the blind are unemployed. 

 One of the students is now an instructor for the SC Commission for the Blind. I learned about this and called him to hear about it. His name is Eric Swinton, and   While talking to him, I started crying tears of joy. He now teaches me new things and reminds me of things I have forgotten. 

Laura Skelton a student’s story:

April 15, 2021

Dear Recovering Sight Foundation Friend,

In the fall of 2006, I was honored to be the 13th student in The Recovering Sight Foundation JAWS program.

 I was in my early forties with quickly fading eyesight and quite frankly scared of what the uncertain future holds for me. This strong independent single mom who was managing rental property for a living was crumbling fast. Then step in Mr.Neil Towery and Ms.Debra Canty of Recovering Sight and my outlook on life begins again to be possible.  They taught me that independent life is still available, however it may be a little different in execution.

 Recovering Sight teaches a computer program named JAWS (job access with speech) to the vision impaired and blind.  When the course is completed, the student is given the computer and the JAWS program that they trained on. The computer with a program enables the blind to be informed, work, and communicate. The JAWS program enables me to continue with my employment, for which I am grateful not only from a financial standpoint but also for the continuation of being productive. The personal conflict that JAWS resolved for me is in the way I have my daily quiet time.  I can “read” my Bible, for that alone I will literally be eternally thankful.

That alone was a tremendous blessing but the blessings didn’t stop there.

Neil and Debra freely shared their testimony of the ups and downs of blindness. They could laugh at their own foolishness and the foolishness of others about being blind. Thus, a reminder that joy and laughter can accompany whatever life brings.  Through this sharing of their stories my self-confidence increased. Also, my patience was perfected through the practice of doing things differently. I met many friends through the program and was motivated by their stories of encouragement too.

Years later, I was blessed again by the Recovering Sight Foundation with purchase and lessons for a smartphone, which in today’s world is a must-have. A couple of months ago, I was on the phone with Debra Canty and my iPhone wouldn’t stop telling time every minute, so Debra calls out over my confusion, “swipe left”. So, I am still learning!

 We have lived through 2 major hurricanes during a heatwave and the Lord has brought us through with His love, protection, and provision. 

 I am not exactly sure what this chapter of my life will be like but have some plans if God is in them. The computer and smartphone will be a big part for sure since this is my sight into the world.  I will continue to use the skills I learned and expand on them for the good of my family, and community.

I am not one who easily expresses her feeling of gratitude with words well, but I remember how I felt the overwhelming fear change from confidence and despair to joy.  Most of all the overflowing wellspring of love and encouragement I received.

I am grateful to The Lord for the Recovering Sight Ministry and the Recovering Sight Foundation’s obedience “To teach the blind to see.” I am thankful to Holy Comforter Church for the use of their facilities as well.

Would you please pray for Recovering Sight Ministry and for those who help to live life abundantly?  While on earth, we can never truly know the full impact our support of prayers and finances can have on people’s lives, so please graciously give.

J.Laura Skelton