Things you should know about Ray: I am 26 years old, I have my Bachelor’s degree in Communications from Purdue University Calumet, I am 6’3 in height, Dark brown skin, nice shape, Single, Live alone, and no children, Humble, Modest, Humorous, Goal oriented, Dedicated to anything I do. I lost my sight at 17 to senseless gun violence, but won’t let that or negative people stop me from pursuing my dreams and goals. Even though I went blind I am the same persons like I always say “this is Ray everyday no days off.†I am currently trying to pursue a career in Radio or something in the music industry at a major record company.PB Here is an article from the local newspaper about me... Student, who was blinded several years ago, inspires othersRaymond Montgomery"In classes, I’ve met people through my journey, and they say they know
people who have two good eyes who are sitting home doing nothing."Blinded several years ago in a robbery/shooting, Raymond Montgomery
says
other students tell him he inspires them.Montgomery, 26, of Merrillville is a candidate to receive a degree in
communication-radio and television at Purdue University Calumet’s Fall
Commencement
Exercises, Tuesday, Dec. 20 at the Radisson Star Theatre in
Merrillville."I’ve met a lot of people who have told me that I’ve inspired them, and
that
was heart-felt," said Montgomery, who was shot and robbed while stopped
in
a car at a railroad crossing waiting for a train to pass in 1997. "In
classes, I’ve met people through my journey, and they say they know
people
who have
two good eyes who are sitting home doing nothing."My mother, Ramona Montgomery, helped me out a lot, and people with
disabilities have inspired me. I noticed that they did it, so I can do
it,
too."And "doing it" is exactly what Montgomery is doing. He has been
interning at
Hammond radio station WPWX-92.3-fm and at Gary station WGVE-88.7-fm. At
WGVE,
he co-hosts a show, "The Best of Both Worlds," which focuses on a
variety of
topics, from music and entertainment to community topics."I’m a quiet person," Montgomery says. "But when I’m behind the mike,
I’m a
different person. You can let your personality soar out."Montgomery attended Tradewinds Rehabilitation Center in Gary and then
the
Illinois Rehabilitation Center in Chicago, where he learned how to live
independently."I had to learn mobility, taking the bus, living on my own in a dorm,
how to
cook, walk with a cane, read Braille, label my clothes, computer
skills," he
said. "My friends could play basketball and video games, and I was left
out.
I was depressed but it was something I had to overcome. You lose
friends and
gain friends over the years."When Montgomery came to Purdue Calumet, he checked into services
offered by
Purdue Calumet's Office of Student Support Services, which provides
assistance
to students with disabilities.Montgomery says that Student Support Services "helped me out."Some ways the office staff helped him were in completing assignments,
obtaining books on tape or CD, offering the use of JAWS (Job Access
With
Speech—a
screen reader that reads text on the screen out loud) and providing
counseling."Sometimes I come up here (Student Support Services on the 3rd floor of
the
Student Union and Library) to get away from everybody and relax,"
Montgomery
said."When Raymond started at Purdue Calumet, he needed someone to help him
find
his classes," Purdue Calumet Director of Student Support Services Fred
Williams
said. "I watched him develop over the semesters and saw him say, 'I've
got
to go to class,' and off he'd go. He became very competent,
self-reliant and
independent."Montgomery, who is a McNair Scholar, says he would like to work as a
music
director, on-air radio personality or in promotions, and he may attend
graduate
school."I'm most impressed with his determination to complete his degree
knowing
the challenges he has ahead of him," Williams said. "Raymond epitomizes
how
people
can overcome obstacles that are in their way—not to mention that he is
a
very personable and likeable guy. I have a lot of respect and
admiration for
him.
He could have taken the low road and said, 'Woe is me.'"Montgomery added, "I'm dedicated. I don't let outside influences stop
me
from what I'm trying to do."
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