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MINNEAPOLIS (KMSP) - When you think of crafts, you might think it would be difficult for blind people to put together colorful trinkets and visually stimulating art.
Michelle Jackson-Erickson has been doing it for years. She became mostly blind nine years ago after an accident caused her retinas to detach.
Jackson-Erickson came to BLIND, Inc. in Minneapolis to learn how to live a regular life and now she does. This is the third year they have hosted the blind craft show and bake sale, which was her idea. There will be jewelry, hats, scarves and more made by a community that is visually impaired.
Jackson-Erickson is making a Halloween 3D whimsical wreath. She uses her hands to feel for the proper pieces, like the caldron and flames, and she organizes her colors in a tray to pick the right ones. She also uses the magnifying glass on her smart phone to ensure the detail is precise.
“It’s a great cause for not only for those of us in the blind community, but it’s good for others to see we're no different than anyone else,” she said.
Dan Wenzel is the executive director of BLIND, Inc. He was born blind and now helps empower people by training them to use their other senses so they can learn to navigate street traffic and get around their place of work.
“Ultimately, our students are pretty much able to travel anywhere and utilize alternative techniques and that means for employment they can move anywhere and be successful anywhere,” Wenzel said.
This craft show is very exciting for them because it brings the sighted and blind communities together.
If you would like to check it out and support, the craft show is this Saturday and Sunday afternoon at the BLIND, Inc. building in Minneapolis. Proceeds help Minnesotans and go to the Twin Cities chapter of the National Federation for the Blind.