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October 9, 2009
B
rian Tom, America’s visionary speak- will be a “once in a lifetime visionary expe-
er, author and founder of multiple rience,” according to Tom. “People willMove rs &
non-profit organizations, may be blind legal-
ly, but not blind to the needs of others. Shakers
leave with a completely different perspective
on life.”
Tom was diagnosed at a young age with Guests will be treated to a variety of
Glaucoma, a group of eye diseases that can tastes and wine pairing, with experts explain-
lead to blindness if not caught and treated ing what food and drink they are sampling
early on. Unfortunately for Tom, he was not Brian because all guests will be blindfolded with
treated as a kid and at age 21 he lost nearly the exception of a few special guests.
all vision in his left eye and much of his “There will be a few people who were
sight in the right. invited to receive the BSA’s Champion
“I was 21, going to school at UCLA – my award at the event,” Tom said.
Tom
dream school, and then this happened to While BSA is a major accomplishment,
me,” Tom said. “I have had over 20 proce- completely selling out both of its first two
dures on my left eye and still am almost events earlier this year, Tom has a few other
completely blind there.” things on his plate as well.
Blind visionary
He said he has only had one procedure on Coming out early next year, Tom has two
the right eye and is able to distinguish an sets sights on books being published and a third he co-
outline in color at least, but still something authored. One of the books, “Experiencing
that most people will, hopefully, never have
helping those
the Blind Run,” is about the Mud Run held
to deal with. at Camp Pendleton that the BSA participated
One of Tom’s companies is Blind Start
like him
in last April. The second book is called “The
of America (BSA), an organization founded College Gold Mine,” a book to help students
to improve the lives of the blind and visually get into and afford college.
impaired. They have a three step goal which
BY BILL CROTTY
The third book he is working on is being
is; awareness, to create an experience so co-authored with Deepak Chopra, co-founder
memorable that it will empower people and of the Chopra Center for Wellbeing, and Jack
help them realize the blessing of sight; inde-
on with something called the 50/50 pro-
To afford programming for their
Canfield, the author of the “Chicken Soup
pendence, helping the visually impaired to
gram.
Awareness, Education and Independence
for the Soul” series, and is called “Stepping
live the best lives possible; and education, to
“It’s sick, it shatters the American
goals, along with programs like the 50/50 to
Stones to Success.”
teach and support both the blind and others
dream,” Tom said. “The 50/50 program is
own a home, the BSA is holds annual
Three books in one year, along with such
about the cause.
designed to take 50 visually impaired or
fundraisers to raise money.
incredible success as a non-profit organiza-
“Speaking is what saved me,” Tom said.
blind people, one from each state, and pair
Blind Start is a registered non-profit
tion during the current economy is nothing
“I am so thankful for organizations that pro-
them up with employers for long term com-
organization, but money is not the only way
short of amazing. Tom is very grateful for all
vided support programs, they really helped
mitments and by the end of 50 months they
to help out. Two other ways volunteers can
of the help he has received and the accom-
me out a lot.”
will be able to afford to own homes.”
help are to donate time at events; participat-
plishments of his companies. “There have
“When I started to become a spokesper-
The second number that Tom hopes to
ing blindfolded, donating talents at fundrais-
been a lot of blessings for us this year,” he
son, I learned a lot, including some statistics
change is a statistic that less than one-third
ers or working at events like their annual
said.
that BSA has goals to change.”
of employment aged people who are blind
Benefit for the Blind or the Dinner in the
More information on all of the BSA’s
One statistic is that less than one percent
actually have jobs. Tom mentioned that this
Dark.
events can be found at blindstart.org and the
of all disabled persons will ever own a home.
is even an older number, and newer figures
The BSA is holding their first ever Dinner
organization is active on both Facebook and
A shaking number than the BSA is working
suggest that, “only about 24 percent current-
in the Dark on Saturday, October 10 which
Twitter.
ly have jobs now.”
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