Popular author and inspirational speaker Michael Hingson will be the keynote speaker at the 2017 See the Light Luncheon, presented by Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired, on Thursday, Oct. 12, 11:30 a.m., at the Riviera Country Club, 1355 Blue Rd. in Coral Gables.
Hingson’s remarkable best-selling book, Thunder Dog, describes his life story as a blind man, leading up to his incredible escape with a faithful guide dog from the 78th floor of the World Trade Center during the 9/11 terrorist attack in 2001. His inspiring presentation will reflect his lifelong determination to achieve parity in a sighted world, and describe the unshakable relationship between a blind person and his guide dog.
Hingson also will address the irreplaceable role of Miami Lighthouse, providing services and technology that increase the independence and confidence of local residents who are blind and visually impaired.
Sponsors of the See the Light Luncheon include The Art of Shaving, JM Private Insurance, GenSpring Family Offices and Serendip-A-Tea. For reservations and more information, contact Cameron Sisser by email at csisser@miamilighthouse.org or by telephone at 786-3627515.
Established in 1931 by Dolly Gamble with the aid of Helen Keller and support from Miami’s Lions and Rotary clubs, Miami Lighthouse is the oldest and largest private agency in Florida assisting persons of all ages who are blind and visually impaired. Today, the agency serves more than 14,000 clients per year with an array of programs that enable blind and visually impaired persons to achieve independence.
The recently opened Miami Lighthouse Learning Center for Children provides innovative intervention programs for youngsters from birth through five years old. These children’s programs include a first-of-its-kind inclusion pre-kindergarten program in which an equal number of blind and visually impaired children from communities throughout Miami-Dade attend alongside sighted classmates from the surrounding neighborhood. Miami Lighthouse introduced this unique pilot project, in partnership with Miami-Dade County Public Schools and the Early Learning Coalition, to more easily transition blind and visually impaired students to public schools.
