Article Source: The Positive Observer

Meet Nicholas Delmonico. The Positive Observer had an opportunity to catch up with this dynamic individual recently over lunch. Nicholas shared some of his views on a range of questions that we presented to him. Nicholas is 33 years old and lives with a condition called Retinitis Pigmentosa which causes retinal degeneration in the eyes. Basically, RP is a degeneration process of photoreceptor cells (rods and cones). These photoreceptor cells eventually die off leaving an individual with extremely limited or no vision. For Nicholas, this condition started around age 5, left him legally blind by age 15 and by age 23 he had lost all his physical vision.

“I can see with all my other senses what my friends can only see with their eyes…” – N. Delmonico

Despite this change in his life, Nicholas spends a good bit of his time working with 3^rd – 6^th graders at local charter school in the Denver, Co area. The school is for Gifted and Talented students. One of the areas that he enjoys the most is assisting the students in learning new ways to improve their spelling. He occupies his time in many other civic areas as well, including The American Council of the Blind of Colorado (ACBCO) where he is on the Board of Directors. Nicholas is truly one of the more upbeat and positive individuals you could come across. TPO sat down with him to hear more about his world and how he sees it.

TPO: “What would you miss most about your blindness if you could get your sight back today?”

Nicholas: I don’t think my brain would work as well. I would miss fine-tuning things. It would be harder to connect with people. Having the ability to "braille" people…touching them. My blindness has allowed me greater (actual) access to people. I have been able to touch them on many levels. My blindness helps me to be myself. With sight, I would not be as kinesthetic and insightful as I am currently. I would miss the ability to hear all the noises in a room. Without physical sight,  I can hear and focus on numerous things at the same time. I would also miss having a “sighted guide” on certain occasions. While with a guide, I am able to get to know him or her on a much deeper and fuller level. A stronger connection is created. Again...I would miss my mind. I like "how" I am able to use it now.

TPO: Describe Your World

Nicholas: Being blind is all about experiences. Smells, tastes, interactions with people, reaching out and touching people to learn about them. My world is full of music and sounds. I now hold a stronger appreciation in learning about the world. I am constantly seeking out new opportunities to give back to the world. My world is also about learning about people while teaching at the same time. Everyone is my brother and sister. My world is full of wonderful experiences and adventures. In a lot of ways, I believe that my blindness was supposed to have happened. It is a gift and when someone gives the gift of who they are, they get it right back. I have been very fortunate so far!

“Live life with extreme enthusiasm and be passionately playful…” – N. Delmonico

TPO: What Purpose Do You Serve?

Nicholas:  To make people laugh and smile. To make a difference for everyone. Regardless of your situation make a difference. To learn and to grow. To be a contribution. To be a leader and to lead from my heart and soul. To love unconditionally towards those I am with. To allow and show young people how to be successful. To teach people to be themselves.

TPO: Describe Being Curious

Nicholas: I am very curious.  I like to "braille" or touch people and things. Being curious is to ask a lot of questions. I like to match a voice with a face (touch). To be curious is to take on something new. Always want to learn. Just keep asking questions. Sometimes people don’t respond to questions,  so I find other ways to ask. My definition of being curious is to allow yourself to be so intrigued in a person, place or experience that you put all of your energy towards learning about it. A person should always find curiosity in all aspects of life...so much that it leads you towards learning something new every day.

“Courage is taking one step at a time and having the faith to continue down the path even when you are unsure. Just keep taking steps forward and see where you go…” – N. Delmonico

TPO: Describe a Good Day

Nicholas: When everything I am doing that day flows.  Not being late.  Having people open the door for me. People chatting with me. When I can contribute with folks on the street. Being involved in speaking engagements. Being able to contribute by sharing how I adapt to things and how other people can as well. Just being with folks. Making people happy. When people stop because they want to get to know me.  When I share my happiness and that is what comes back.

TPO: Describe a Bad Day

Nicholas: When I get sick. When I can’t go somewhere. When I can’t get on JAWS (software that converts text on a computer to audio) to be with people. When people don’t want to recognize me for who I am...just as human, if not more than they are.  When people label and take advantage of me. When you have to deal with negative conditioning.

“You can do large and wonderful things in this world, but if you do it with small amounts of love it won’t happen. But if you do small things with a lot of love, you get the most and you give the most.” – Mother Teresa