Customer Stories
Vault Man Succeeds with ZoomText!
February 01, 2010
Don Livasy is 77 years old and suffers from the genetic disorder rod and cone dystrophy, but that doesn’t keep him grounded. Don is an avid pole vaulter who also enjoys cooking. He even created his own cookbook for his family using ZoomText!
Even though Don has always had the disorder, he really didn’t start to notice anything odd with his vision until about 15 to 20 years ago. In fact, it wasn’t until the age of 45 that he even wore glasses! However, he started to notice a strong sensitivity to light and couldn’t see stoplights anymore while driving. He had to quit many of the sports he loved, including tennis, volleyball, and badminton, due to the fact that he couldn’t focus on any object coming at him. He went to a series of doctors, all of whom didn’t know what exactly was wrong.
It wasn’t until after Don visited with a neuro-ophthalmologist that he was diagnosed with rod and cone dystrophy. The disease doesn’t typically make a person blind, but rather, causes trouble with light and the ability to focus.
“I have three different pair of dark glasses depending on the lighting condition I am in,” stated Don. “But otherwise, I’m perfectly healthy and can’t complain!”
Don admits that he is not good with computers and never used them when he did have his sight. He taught high school for ten years before becoming a vocational rehab counselor for the Missouri Department of Education, where he helped people with disabilities trying to get back into the workforce. Even so, he retired before computers became an office desk staple.
“I never had the opportunity to work with computers and really, I only knew how to turn them on and off,” said Don. “I even tried attending a computer class for seniors, but soon gave up because I needed constant help from the instructor since I couldn’t see the workbook well enough and just kept making errors.”
You might be asking yourself, ‘Well, how in the world did Don get in touch with ZoomText?’ I bet you wouldn’t have guessed that he first learned about ZoomText while he was getting a flu shot!
Getting a flu shot really paid off that year when Don met Bobby Wettengel, a rehabilitation teacher at Rehabilitation Services for the Blind in Missouri. Through Bobby’s recommendation and cooperative agreement with the Missouri Assistive Technology Telecommunication Access Program for Internet (TAP-I), Don received a flat screen monitor, a copy of ZoomText Magnifier/Reader, and the ZoomText Large-Print Keyboard, all which enabled him to use his computer.
Don simply couldn’t say enough about the program. In fact, Missouri is the only state with a TAP-I program which provides, at no cost to qualified applicants, the adaptive computer equipment needed for basic internet and e-mail access. To learn more about the program, Missouri residents should call 800-647-8557.
Even though Don wasn’t great with computers, he was a whiz in the kitchen, with a special knack for baking bread. He had always wanted to create a large-print cookbook so that he could read them during his cooking process, and then share them as a legacy for his family. Don’s wife, Maria, had helped him in the past by typing the recipes up for him, but now with ZoomText running, he could do it all himself.
The book started off as a handful of “go-to” recipes in a folder. Now, after spending a year getting the book together, it’s become a collection of 86 recipes, totaling over 125 pages, with every sheet in its own protective plastic cover in a 3-ring binder. Each of his three children received a binder as a Christmas present this year, and all of his grandchildren received bound books as more of a keepsake for Christmas as well. Don plans to update the cookbooks by emailing new recipes to those with the binders and they can add it to their book if they wish.
“It’s been such a fun project for me, and one that I could not have done without ZoomText,” said Don. “It’s so much more than a cookbook – my family and I have to vote on recipes to get them in the cookbook, so it’s a family bonding experience along with a wonderful trip down memory lane.”
The book is called “Vault Man’s Favorite Recipes” – interesting title isn’t it? When Don had to give up the many sports he loved, he returned to pole vaulting. He wanted to stay active for himself, but also for his son who was born when Don was 58 and Don felt he owed it to his son to stay physically fit. Don had pole vaulted in high school and college, and after quite a search, found a world-class pole vaulter who was inspired by Don and agreed to take him under his wing as his student.
Coach Todd Cooper has an indoor vaulting facility in Excelsior Springs, Missouri, making it possible for Don to jump there; it’s an environment where the lighting can be controlled to fit his needs. Don’s been jumping under Todd’s instruction for ten years! While he no longer jumps competitively, that’s just fine with him.
“Honestly, I don’t care if I ever compete in another track meet,” said Don. “I do it for the practice and to stay physically fit. I jump at Todd’s six or eight times, and then we sit down and have a cup of coffee. Now that’s where I get the most enjoyment.”
Don’s youngest son is now 18 and a competitive swimmer for the University of Missouri, so Don is challenged more than ever to stay active. Unfortunately, about a year and a half ago, Don suffered an injury to his right hamstring and hasn’t been able to jump since. However, he stays fit using the gym in his basement and hopes to jump again soon when his full strength returns.
We’re so happy that we could play such a large part in Don’s cookbook. We wish Don nothing but the best and of course, happy cooking and jumping!
