The Blind Visionary: Practical Lessons for Meeting Challenges on the Way to a More Fulfilling Life and Career

by Doug Eadie, Virginia Jacko

Virginia Jacko was a highly successful senior financial executive at Purdue University when she was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa-in her case, she would go completely blind. The Blind Visionary tells Virginia's true, inspiring journey-from having to start over in life as a vocational rehabilitation student at the Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired to becoming the Lighthouse's president and CEO just four years later. One of only a handful of blind chief executives in the country, Virginia became an outstanding chief executive, doubling the Lighthouse's revenues and dramatically diversifying its program offerings. The coauthors discuss in the closing chapter four practical lessons, drawn from Virginia's odyssey, that will help readers find the courage to take action, create positive change, and live fully in the face of whatever challenges might come their way. This amazing success story will inspire you to overcome obstacles on your way to building a more satisfying personal and professional life.

176 pages, Hardcover

First published January 22, 2010

About the author

After graduating Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Illinois, I spent three years as a Peace Corps teacher in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Upon my return to the US, I earned as masters in management from Case Western Reserve University. I spent the next ten years working as a nonprofit and public executive. Since the mid 1980s, I have been on my own - consulting, writing and speaking (http://www.dougeadie.com). Three years ago, I established my own publishing company Governance Edge), which has brought out my last three books. My most recent book, "The Blind Visionary," (http://www.theblindvisionary.com) tells the amazing true story of my co-author, Virginia Jacko. Virginia lost her eyesight while working as an executive at Purdue University. She started all over as a vocational rehabilitation student at the Miami Lighthouse for the Blind, and only four years later she became president and CEO of the Miami Lighthouse. In "The Blind Visionary," Virginia and I tell her story and offer four lessons from her experience that readers can put to work in building fuller, more satisfying lives and careers.

Reviews

[Tracey]

Excellent story! Very inspiring!

[Natalia]

I am so going to read this for the mere amusement of the total hogwash I know it is going to be!