Blind Ambition-Journey to Greatness Despite Blindness | Ever Lee Hairston | TEDxWakeForestU

Ever Lee Hairston, through her powerful stories and accomplishments, inspires one to strive for greatness no matter how difficult the set back is.
Ever Lee Hairston is the President of the National Federation of the Blind. Born to sharecropping parents on the Cooleemee Plantation in Davie County, North Carolina, Hairston grew up in the segregated South and was active in the civil rights movements of the 1960s. She was born with Retinitis Pigmentosa, which causes slow but progressive vision loss. After her failing eyesight kept her from realizing her dream of becoming a nurse, she began working as a teacher. At the age of twenty-nine, facing total blindness, with a failed marriage, a child to raise alone, and uncertainty about future employment, Hairston changed her attitude and changed her life. Now, decades after she lost her eyesight, she devotes tireless hours to helping others realize their lives have purpose as they reach their full potential in spite of any obstacles in their paths.
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at ted.com/tedx

[@alexismorrison8857]

Thank you Ever Lee Hairston for sharing your inspirational story! You are strong, brave and iconic!

[@erley643]

Love the delivery!! Congratulations. Thank you for sharing your story.

[@jasmineburke5883]

Love you cousin ❤️ from New Jersey the Burke family! Greensboro Lexington North Carolina 🤍

[@jamesgeiger7796]

Hi, my name is James. I have Retinitis Pigmentosa. I am 17 years old. I have a lot of hope that in the near future that we will find a cure for degenerative retinal diseases such as Retinitis Pigmentosa and Macular Degeneration as we continue to progress our research with stem cells. I appreciate the speech Hairston gave. God bless her.

[@AlexxMarssh]

Hey there! Any news?

[@MikeM-co6dm]

Id love to meet this great Lady