Brenda
Brenda lost her sight in 1984, but she does not let that stop her. She goes to the ballet and movies and takes long walks with her guide dog. She is the Vice President and Transportation Coordinator for the Visually Impaired Support Group (VIP), the Fundraising Chairwoman for the Wake County National Federation for the Blind, and a caller for the Volunteer Care Givers of Cary. She has worked as a receptionist at Wake Med for 12 years. And, she has two side businesses.
When Brenda came to Habitat, she was living in subsidized housing. “You can do the best you can with your place, but that doesn’t mean people will do the best with theirs.” Brenda was referred to Habitat by a friend that had volunteered. She completed her sweat equity hours by stuffing envelopes and answering the office phone. She moved into her home on February 10, 1990.
Now Brenda spends any free time she has running her first business, Roger’s Homemade Pies and Puddings, and trying to get her second business Through Impaired Eyes up and running. Through Impaired Eyes is her passion. She wants to educate the public on interacting with guide dogs. “I want people to know that guide dogs are not pets. They are working dogs. They should be treated like they are not even there.”
Brenda moves with purpose every day. “There are people who have sight but cannot see. God has allowed me to walk by faith and not by sight.”