Supporting Student Destinies

Authors: Emily Coleman, Superintendent, Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired (TSBVI)

I re-read The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho this year, which in short, is the story of a young shepherd who follows his dreams and heart to realize his personal destiny. As I interpret it, he must constantly decide whether to continue moving forward with his dreams even when it would be easier to settle into the life he already has, which would be good enough.  

When considering the 11,000 students TSBVI serves throughout Texas who are blind, deafblind, or have low vision, I think about their resiliency and drive to pursue their dreams. Some journey to our campus in pursuit of their personal destiny, and some remain in their home communities. Each option has risks and challenges that students must overcome, and the easiest path isn’t always the best one.

When the shepherd in The Alchemist struggled during his journey, his heart often pulled him toward the safety and comfort of a simpler life, which would perhaps protect him from disappointment. Yet, he kept moving forward, aware that his chosen path would not be easy, but it might lead to ultimate happiness and success. As our students take what they learn and one day branch out into adulthood, they may also face disappointment. Our job is to ensure, whether they attend school here or elsewhere in Texas, that they have been taught skills during their educational career to push through and continue pursuing their dreams. 

The Vision of TSBVI is that all students will be empowered to lead productive and fulfilling lives, which means they must follow their dreams and their hearts, too. If we empower our students to reach their fullest potential, what would that look like? Think about things we can do to support their hearts and minds. Ideas that come to my mind are paying attention to their strengths, stepping back and providing opportunities for independence, and building positive relationships so they’re willing to take risks and pursue their dreams no matter what that may look like.

My son Eddie is 19 years old, blind, and has multiple disabilities. Given Eddie’s unique learning needs, I’ve often stressed about his education and programming. He’s been at TSBVI for the past four and a half years, and that has been the first time in his life that I didn’t worry about him being excluded from educational programming. I didn’t have to worry about him being misunderstood or not treated with care and respect even on his hardest days. 

Yet, this year he’s going to shift back to Austin ISD and attend one of their transition programs. If you’re wondering why I would want to open the door to worrying again and stressing about the unknown, wondering why I’d welcome this anxiety…well then, you sound just like my mom. She knew Eddie was safe and happy at TSBVI, but maybe a little worrying is necessary when destiny is on the line. 

As the shepherd faced challenges inThe Alchemist, his heart spoke of fear. Sometimes he was frightened by the idea that he might not find treasure or that he would die on his journey. He could almost convince himself he already had everything he wanted instead of trying for his dreams. He was told by his spiritual guide, “Naturally your heart is afraid that in pursuing your dream you’ll lose everything you have.” 

We know at TSBVI that our students can’t attend the same school forever. We know no matter when the day comes, they will have to try something new. This is also true for Eddie, and it’s time for him to face another challenge, even though it’s terrifying for me. But it’s OK, because TSBVI staff have prepared him for the next step and have empowered him to succeed. He can utilize his skills somewhere new, which is a challenge that he embraces, even though it’s hard. Change doesn’t scare Eddie, it only scares me. As The Alchemist said, “the fear of suffering is worse than the suffering itself.” Who knows, it could be Eddie’s greatest adventure yet.

Coelho, P. (1993). The Alchemist. HarperCollins.