Introduction to the Blog

Hi! My name is Jewel, and this is my blog. I'll tell you a bit about me to start, then about my plans for this blog.

I live in Raleigh, North Carolina. I am 25 years old, and am planning to start college in the fall to work towards a degree in Elementary Education, after which I hope to get a Master's degree in Special Education of the Visually Impaired. I have always wanted to be a teacher, and I enjoy working with little ones especially. Couple that with the ongoing need for certified, educated teachers of the blind, and that brings me to my decision to be a TVI (Teacher of the Visually Impaired). I am an avid reader.I read everything I can get my hands on. I really don't like audio books, though...they put me to sleep. I read Braille, and love it. I can read my book on the bus, while waiting for the doctor, sitting around in the living room chatting...anywhere I want! With audio books, I can't do that. I can't listen to someone talking and read an audio book. I know some people can, but not me. And I can't bring my audio books anywhere I want (until I get my Victor Stream Reader, that is). Audio has its advantages, like being easier to get, more affordable, and portable if it's a digital book (not a book on tape from the library), but Braille is so much more fun to read. But I'm not going to go on and on about Braille. Just know that I am an advocate of Braille and teaching Braille to blind children.

At 23 years of age, I became legally blind due to a chemical burn to the face. My vision is now 3/350 in the right eye only (left eye has only a little light perception). Why am I telling you this? Because this blog is for the blind, by a blind person. I have been blind for nearly two years now, and while I am certainly no expert on the matter, I have learned much in the past two years. You see, I am a research geek, for lack of a better name. I love all things research. I love to find new things; I love to learn new things.

So, the whole point of my blog will be telling people about all the great things out there that you may not know about! From games to tutorials to programs and more, I'll tell you about what's out there. That’s why it’s called a Treasure Chest…I want it to be a treasure chest of information. So stay tuned for each exciting new or lesser known product, program, game, or website!