Legally Blind Husband And Father Seeking Computer Business Grant
by Brent Cooper
In April of 2010, I lost my corporate America job as an IT Computer Technician. At that time, my wife and I decided that I would file for disability and I would stay at home. As a teenager, I was diagnosed with an eye disease called Retenitis Pigmentosa. Also known as RP. This is a hereditary disease and to this day, there is no known cure. In the simplest of terms, it is a deterioration of the retina. This disease has affected not only my life, but also the lives of my family. At the age of 22, I was told that I could no longer drive. At that instant, a very heavy burden was placed on my wife. She is now the sole driver of the family. This disease severely inhibits my ability to see in low light or dark places. I cannot see at night. The other major way this disease affects my eyes is limiting my field of vision. In an average adult, you will have 150 – 180 degrees field of vision meaning you can see from one side to the other without moving your eyes. At 22, I had 0 in my left eye and less than 5 in my right… severe tunnel vision. To better understand, next time you empty a toilet paper roll, save the roll. Cut in half and then place the halves over your eyes like you would a pair of binoculars. That is about all I can see. If it is not right in front of me, odds are, I will not see it. It is for this very reason that I am no longer working. When I lost my job in April, we lost over half of the family's income forcing us to move out of our current rent house and into my parents' house. We have been here for almost a year. In deciding to not go back to work, I also had a very real spiritual turnaround in my life as well. In July of 2010, I committed to full time service to Christ meaning that I am willing to do whatever He wants me to do. I am now the worship pastor for Heart of Worship Baptist Church in Irving, Texas. I lead the singing and play the guitar every Sunday and have a blast doing it. Because of this commitment, the Lord has really started to bless my family's life in ways that we have never seen before. At the end of April 2011, we are finally moving into our own apartment. In March of 2011, we were able to get a new car. At this time, between my wife's income and my SSDI, as stated earlier, we are barely able to make ends meet. So, I want to expand what I do out of my spare time into an actual storefront. I want to also incorporate a hobby shop into it as well. So, I will fix computers and sell RC hobby kits and parts. Being an MCDST (Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician), I have the ability and the skills required to repair most computer issues. From a basic setup to data recovery, I can do just about anything. Right now, my only marketing is a simple flyer that I have made and word of mouth. I am hoping that with a little help, I can place an ad in a small local yellow pages called "The Shepherds Guide." I would also speak with the neighboring businesses and ask if I could leave a small stack of business cards on their counters. I would also travel to the apartment communities in my area where I am moving to and speak with the apartment managers about going door-to-door and leaving business cards and flyers on the residents' doors and mailbox areas. That is my idea and plan and what I am seeking help for. Thank you. Brent Cooper Fort Worth, Texas
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